Toenail Amputations for Dogs

A dog̵7;s nails help him to run and maneuver his positions quickly, to dig and to protect himself against enemies. When a dog̵7;s toenails have been injured from accident or illness, it can cause pain and discomfort. Broken nails often become progressively worse and they must be removed from the nail bed. Nail amputations cause little difficulty for an animal, and the nail generally grows back quickly.

  1. Nail Injuries

    • Canine nails can become injured from being clipped too short, from digging vigorously in hard or rocky ground, or from catching on other objects. Sometimes, a dog may yelp at the moment of injury. At other times, a dog give no indication to his owner that an injury has occurred. Limping may be the first sign that the nail has been affected. Bleeding from the nail bed can also occur. The nail bed may be swollen and tender, and the dog may lick the area to try to soothe it. Often, the nail is badly cracked or only part of it remains attached to the nail bed. Such injuries require the intervention of your veterinarian. If the nail is loose, cracked or partially removed, the vet may need to amputate it to allow it to heal properly. He may place a bandage on the paw to protect the wound from further injury and may administer an antibiotic to prevent infection. Dog owners should monitor the animal's foot closely after such an injury to ensure that the new nail grows in normally.

    Nail Infections

    • Dogs̵7; nails can suffer from bacterial or fungal infections that cause softness, looseness, swelling and oozing. These infections are often caused by undetected injuries that went untreated or from systemic illnesses of the body, such as Cushing̵7;s disease, hypothyroidism or immune disorders. Loose or sloughing nails are usually amputated from the nail bed and antibiotic or anti-fungal medications. Fungus infections may require long-term treatment with medications, foot soaks and topical creams, according to the Animal Dermatology Specialists of Vancouver website.

    Symmetrical Lupoid Onchodystrophy

    • Symmetrical luboid onchodystrophy, generally called SLO, is common in rottweilers and greyhounds, and is sometimes found in other breeds, according to Mike Richards, a veterinarian, on the VetInfo website. It appears to be related to an immune deficiency disorder and has a genetic component. SLO causes pain and sloughing of the toenails. Loosened nails may require amputation. Pentoxyfilline, tetracycline, corticosteroid medications and nutritional supplements treat the condition on an ongoing basis. Dogs with SLO may also have nails that regrow in a deformed condition. These may also have to be amputated to prevent pain.

    Nail Bed Cancers

    • Malignant nail bed cancers can occur in dogs. Though no specific breed is affected, 25 percent of the dogs with this condition have black coats, according to the PetCancerCenter website. Symptoms are ulceration and bleeding, with loosened or broken nails. It is a painful condition that generally requires amputation of the entire toe to prevent the tumor from growing back.