Dog 'lost' claw - should we bandage his paw?

[MotherOfMadHouse]

Hello, we're first time dog owners and our 2 year old dog has just come back from his walk with a bleeding foot. We've bathed him and looked at the problem and one of his claws on his front left foot has been torn off. It seemed to have stopped bleeding after the bath but now he is in his bed, licking it and of course it has started bleeding again. I guess it will grow back but do we need to bandage it? Can he still go for walks? If we do need to bandage it, what's the best way to do it on a dog? I'm hoping we don't need to take him to the vet and can treat it ourselves.

Any comments gratefully received :)

Thanks.

[scurryfunge]

If there are no bits of broken nail still in the paw then I would bathe it in a saline solution and bandage for a couple of days keeping an eye out for any infection. I would keep him in whilst the bandage is on.

[MotherOfMadHouse]

Thank you so much, scurryfunge. Really appreciate your reply - and so quick too! Have only just been able to get back onto Internet to reply. After reading your message we have bandaged him up and although he's slightly subdued it's definitely protected now which is better. Thanks again.

[orienteerer]

It won't always grow back, you may need to take him to the vet. We had this with our dog and as the nail didn't grow back they actually "amputated' the tip of his toe i.e the boney bit the claw was covering IYSWIM.

[MeowyChristmasEveryone]

You could take him out if you got a dog boot from the likes of Pets at Home. Good to have in for just this sort of occasion.

[MotherOfMadHouse]

Orienteerer Oo, that sounds bit sore but I will keep an eye on it and take him to the vet if needs be. How long did you give it before taking your dog? Thanks for the info.

MCE Didn't know you could get boots but will look for one next time I'm at pet shop. We've put an old sock over the bandage for now so hopefully it will stop him chewing the plaster and I think we will be able to take him for short pavement walks. Thanks.

[GrimmaTheNome]

My last dog managed to tear a claw out - we did take him to the vet, but it probably wasn't strictly necessary. It did grow back, fortunately. IIRC we put a sock over the bandage and then when he went outside tied a little plastic bag over that to keep it dry.
(Dog boots do not work on dachshunds!

I can't remember if we had to use a 'lampshade' to stop him chewing/licking it.

Hope he feels better tomorrow - I'm sure he will

[orienteerer]

MotherofMH - took dog straight away.

[careergirl]

My dog snapped her dew claw off. She lay on her back screaming in agony. (I think there was a little bit of drama queen going on there!) She brightened up when we took her to the vet and she was given biscuits.
Anyway the vet dressed her foot, and put some antibiotic cream on and that was it really. She had the dressing on for a week and made the most of waving her bad foot at everyone knowing lots of fuss would follow!
Possibly as a precaution would take your dog to the vet - a vet nurse could look at it first for you and check whether she thinks the vet needs to look at it?

[MotherOfMadHouse]

Thank you all for your posts. We took the bandage off and the sore is healing over but he looks very sorry for himself as is insisting on walking 3 legged! He's still wagging his tail tho and so I'm hoping he'll be back to normal fairly soon. :)