Dogs can sometimes be tough on their paws. After all, they spend a significant amount of their life standing, running and walking, which makes their paws prone to injury. One of the more common paw-related injuries is a lost or torn toenail. The good news is that in most cases, a lost toenail grows back over time.
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About Toenails
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Dog̵7;s toenails are strong. They̵7;re designed to accommodate the rough and tough lifestyle of most active dogs. Nails extend from the tip of the toe̵7;s third bone and are attached to a nail bed. Inside the nail are blood vessels and nerves.
Injury
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Despite the nail̵7;s natural strength, it can sometimes break, crack and fall off completely. When an injury happens, the dog̵7;s paw may bleed, swell and throb, causing the dog a lot of pain. The dog may limp or refuse to walk altogether. The severity of the injury impacts its healing.
Treatment
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Applying pressure to the paw to stop it from bleeding is a good way to ensure the nail heals properly. Cornstarch is a safe, at-home remedy to lessen bleeding. Thoroughly clean and dress the area to prevent dirt and debris from getting into the exposed nail bed and causing an infection. To guard against infection, you may want to get an antibiotic from the veterinarian if you̵7;re unsure when the nail was lost. When a fragment of the nail remains in the nail bed, take the dog to the veterinarian to have it removed.
Avoid rough terrain̵1;rocks, gravel and hot pavement̵1;for several weeks following the injury and limit long walks and running to lessen stress to the paw.
Healing
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Toenail injuries may take a while to heal, especially for an active dog that̵7;s reluctant to rest during the healing process. To ensure a healthy nail returns, constantly monitor the dog̵7;s paw for sensitivity. Keep the paw bandaged to prevent him from licking it and bacteria infecting the exposed nail bed. It̵7;s possible the dog could re-injure the tender nail bed, which may lead to bleeding and prolong healing. When this occurs, repeat the initial treatment process.
Prognosis
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Veterinarian Mike Richards, a contributing Vetinfo.com writer, reports that in most cases a toenail grows back when it has been ripped from its nail bed. Only in circumstances when the nail bed sustained extreme trauma from the injury do nails seldom grow back.
Consideration
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It̵7;s also not uncommon for the nail to grow back crooked or misshaped, especially when the nail bed sustained some trauma. Despite their ugly appearance, they generally don̵7;t cause the dog pain.
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