It is important to take care of your dog's toenails. Many problems, such as disease and illness, occur because of improper clipping and care of his nails. Regular clipping can help prevent some of the problems. Dog Training Site.net recommends trimming your dog's nails once every two weeks. This causes the quick to recede and makes it much easier to clip the nails.
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Ingrown/Overgrown
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Ingrown and overgrown nails can be very painful for your dog. Nails that are allowed to grow too long can break, and if the quick is exposed, infection can occur. Toenails that are too long also can cause twisting of the joints that may lead to pain in your dog's toe joints or toe arthritis. Dewclaws that are too long may curl around and grow back into her skin, causing severe pain.
Tearing
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Your dog's nails can get caught on carpet or fabric and he may tear the nail in his efforts to free himself. The nail can become infected if left untreated. If your dog is comfortable with your doing so and the tear is not too severe, you may be able to treat it at home by trimming the nail even with the tear, washing it thoroughly, and applying a styptic pencil or silver nitrate to stop the bleeding. You also may need to apply a bandage. If you see a veterinarian, he may prescribe antibiotics to prevent any infection.
Cracking
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Toenails that crack and splinter may be painful for your dog. If this occurs and the nails are not overgrown, it may be caused by an immune system problem or dietary issues. Feeding your dog low-quality food, without all of the necessary nutrients, can cause cracked nails. Lupoid onychodystrophy is a disease that can cause all of your dog's nails to fall out. The new nails that grow back are brittle and susceptible to cracking. The cause of this disease is not known, but according to Thomas P. Lewis II, a Board Certified Veterinary Dermatologist, it is considered to be an autoimmune disease.
Fungal Infection
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A fungal infection in the claw folds or around the nail bed is called onchomycosis. Your dog may constantly lick her paws because of inflammation. A skin scraping is necessary to diagnose it. If your dog has a condition that affects her immune system, or if she is taking medication to suppress her immune system, she may be more likely to develop a fungal infection. Treatment is antifungal medication.
Bacterial Infection
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Bacterial infections can occur as a secondary problem to a disease such as Cushing's disease or hypothyroidism, or from breaks in the nail. Your dog may exhibit pain in the affected foot. This is diagnosed by examining the inflammation and/or pus from the infection and is treated with antibiotics.
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