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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Bleeding claw

7 replies

Triggerning · 03/06/2024 01:10

Problem: One of my puppies is bleeding from her claw. There is a lot of blood but it doesn't look very bad. I looked for another injury and I am sure all of the blood came from this claw. She does not seem to be in pain, but she bit me while I cleaned it so she is obviously not happy. I have trimmed off the fur around it very carefully with nail scissors and washed it with wound cleaner from a human 1st aid kit. She is currently wearing a dressing covered up with a long sock which is attached to her harness. She is not impressed, but it's working so far.
Due to complicated logistical reasons, I do not currently have access to a car or a pet friendly taxi and I have no other way of driving her to a vet. The vet is about a 45 minute walk away and the puppies are not fully vaccinated yet. Should I walk her to the vet in the morning?

Background: I live overseas in a developing country and 2 weeks ago I adopted 2 puppies who were found in a box on the side of a busy road. The other puppies they were with got out of the box were run over, these were the only survivors. Since I got them, they've been to the vets for a check up, started their vaccinations, been microchipped and had medication for worms, fleas and ticks. They're both (just about) a healthy weight and becoming more confident, but they are vulnerable, not fully vaccinated and weaned too early.

I grew up on a horse yard back in England and we always had dogs and other animals, so I am somewhat confident doing animal 1st aid, but I am doubting myself now. If I had my car, I would just to take her to the vet in the morning, but I live very rurally and it just isn't possible. It will probably be a week before I get the car back. The vet is about a 45 minute walk away and we would meet lots of unvaccinated street dogs on the way. Would you take her or wait and see?

Picture of how it looked before I started cleaning it and a cute picture of them both together just for fun.

Bleeding claw
Bleeding claw
OP posts:
Triggerning · 03/06/2024 01:11

It looks like nothing in these pictures, but there was lots of blood all over the floor.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 03/06/2024 02:04

Is it her actual claw?

if so as long as it stops bleeding you don’t need a vet, they’ll do nothing much tbh.

if it’s the skin/toe round the claw it depends a bit what it is and where

Triggerning · 03/06/2024 02:11

It is the claw. It's like she tore it off or something.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 03/06/2024 02:41

Then they won’t do much anyway, keep an eye on it to make sure it’s stopped bleeding, keep it clean and dry and watch in case it gets infected.

ToffeenutLatte · 03/06/2024 06:17

They're utterly adorable, OP!

I see similar injuries to this relatively often in my job. Looks as though she's taken it right back to the thickest part of the quick which will be very sore (a bit like when you pull a hang nail and expose the flesh under your nail) Usually caused by scratching/ digging at hard surfaces or breaking too hard when running.
Try not to worry, nails bleed so bloody much. It's rarely a cause for concern though.

As PP says, just keep the area clean and dry.
In a pinch you can use (corn)flour to stem bleeding.

Vets will likely only do similar to what you've already done. In severe cases where bleeding is continuous and can't be stopped or when the nail struggles to heal due to incurring continued new damage I have known a few dogs who've either had the nail cauterised or fully removed.
These are obviously last resorts though so will usually be avoided for some time whilst trying other methods.

Floralnomad · 03/06/2024 12:25

I agree with everyone else , keep it clean and dry and see how it goes - cute puppies

Triggerning · 03/06/2024 22:03

Thanks for all of the advice. She seems to be doing fine today. There is no heat and I don’t think it’s hurting her. She can run around the house without any problems at least!

OP posts:
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