Is this just a busted toenail?

[malioswa]

Blue is a 2 year old female, this is the rear left foot. Pretty sure the nail has lifted off and exposing the inside (don't know the technical term...), but it almost looks like a blister.

Noticed it a day or two ago, it's clearly bothering her but honestly not slowing her down too much. No bleeding really, just a bit the day it was injured.

Any advice on the severity and whether I should wrap it? I'm thinking vet at this point but the dog has had a pretty severe split pad on her paw before and all the very said was let her walk it off and let it heal, so I'm not trying to waste money on a visit if it's something that can heal naturally. I kinda doubt it, though. @.@;

 

[Ravenbird]

Looks pretty nasty to me, it looks like what in horse terms we called "proud flesh" - over growth of cells trying to heal a wound. Lot's of meds made to heal injuries actually will make it worse since the cells are already over stimulated. If it were my dog, I'd see the vet to make sure I had the right treatment. Also some things do better with wraps, some things do worse.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I've not seen anything like that, personally. I'm quite slow to take my dog to the vet, but if I saw that, I might take her in. If I could get my hands on it and move it around and get a better idea what's going there, it would provide more information. I'm surprised it's not bothering her much.

 

[malioswa]

I've not seen anything like that, personally. I'm quite slow to take my dog to the vet, but if I saw that, I might take her in. If I could get my hands on it and move it around and get a better idea what's going there, it would provide more information. I'm surprised it's not bothering her much.

She doesn't like it being touched at all - even nail trimming is a hazardous affair lol - she doesn't mind paws being handled but once any tool comes into play, that's a big NOPE for her. I do feel like I should probe it a bit and if possible remove the broken part. After looking at it more it's definitely broken, in fact it's basically ripped off but not completely severed. And I mean, it IS bothering her but isn't stopping her from running around and going about the daily routine. Just licks it a bunch when resting.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

She doesn't like it being touched at all - even nail trimming is a hazardous affair lol - she doesn't mind paws being handled but once any tool comes into play, that's a big NOPE for her. I do feel like I should probe it a bit and if possible remove the broken part. After looking at it more it's definitely broken, in fact it's basically ripped off but not completely severed. And I mean, it IS bothering her but isn't stopping her from running around and going about the daily routine. Just licks it a bunch when resting.

Wow, sometimes these dogs are tough! I guess I've never dealt with a torn out or partially torn out nail.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Ouch. I'd go to the vet for that especially given that she's licking it and that might introduce bacteria or make it worse.

 

[malioswa]

Hopefully getting her in to a clinic today as our regular vet doesn't have any openings until the 13th. The nail has come off now, but still not having a huge affect on her day-to-day activities. Thanks all for the replies... will update after I get her in.

 

[PhilT]

That dose look very sore, they hide pain so well.

 

[malioswa]

Update: did not end up taking her to the vet or clinic due to a number of circumstances, but the toenail has healed on it's own and is growing back just fine.

Eventually I believe she actually chewed off the exposed nail that you can see in the last pic, so there was nothing protruding, just a severed nail in essence; I monitored it for anything resembling an infection until the wound was closed, that's it. No wraps no ointments - I didn't fuss about the licking because after all, that's how they clean themselves.

Lesson learned is as gnarly and painful as it looked to us humans, it was very minor for the dog, and maybe a bit of luck was involved in it not getting infected or not healing properly.

Thanks everyone for the replies!! Great to have this forum with active, helpful users whenever things like this happen

 

[Ddski5]

As have you, I have seen some pretty nasty foot pad gashes and they healed up nicely.
I’ve never seen anything like that.

Reminds me of a finger or hand being degloved.

 

[jazzies mum]

Thanks for the update. I have also found that even nasty looking wounds can heal really well without fuss. And these dogs are pretty tough. As long as you are aware of an injury and keeping a close eye then many times it is fine. Strangely enough, of all the cuts and abrasions my girl has had it was a simple insect bite that nearly caused her tail to be amputated from infection! Go figure!

 

[Two Dobes]

Great news! I have seen that before, and once that top nail shell comes off, it looks pretty bad. I had soaked the foot in warm water and epson salt, then let it air dry. Looks like leaving it alone would have been the better option! Good to know!

 

[PhilT]

Thanks for the update so pleased the problem has been resolved, it did look so nasty and painful.

 

[JanS]

I'm glad it's healed up so nicely! I've had a few dogs (not our Dobermans) rip a nail completely out but I've never seen anything quite like that.

 

[luckybeemer]

It looked very painful.....glad it healed without infection. I stress over the length of my pup's nails......I try to dremel them every week or 2 but they still think they are too long

 

[LifeofRubie]

Admittedly I did not go through the whole thread because injured nail pics kinda ick me out... Moo broke a back nail right in half.

Sunday, we were running around in a nearby park and headed home after and Moo did hop holding a back foot up while walking and we saw quite a bit of blood but nothing gushing.

My husband looked, cleaned it up but didn't notice anything at the time. Moo has been walking around fine, licking a little but not obsessively.

Today my husband texts (I was traveling for work) and says the "nail" part is basically falling off about half way up the length and he can see quick. Is this just the "trauma" working its was through? I'm sure the nail part will fall off at some point but do we leave it if he's not bothering it? My poor boy!

 

[jazzies mum]

Poor Moo. Maybe hubs can look at the early icky nail pics in this thread. I would say it sounds quite similar and will probably heal by itself, but of course you will be watching it like a hawk until it has!

 

[Doberman Gang]

Admittedly I did not go through the whole thread because injured nail pics kinda ick me out... Moo broke a back nail right in half.

Sunday, we were running around in a nearby park and headed home after and Moo did hop holding a back foot up while walking and we saw quite a bit of blood but nothing gushing.

My husband looked, cleaned it up but didn't notice anything at the time. Moo has been walking around fine, licking a little but not obsessively.

Today my husband texts (I was traveling for work) and says the "nail" part is basically falling off about half way up the length and he can see quick. Is this just the "trauma" working its was through? I'm sure the nail part will fall off at some point but do we leave it if he's not bothering it? My poor boy!

Take him to the vet and get it cut back. This just happened to Blaze and it can be painful with Quick exposed. Here is Blaze that night after getting home from surgery.

 

[LifeofRubie]

I would go to the vet BUT... Something similar happened when Moo was super young and I think they just cut with reckless abandon and he's never really allowed his feet to be handled since...

I could muster this-ish. I think it's broken through and just working its way to falling off

 

[Ravenbird]

I could muster this-ish. I think it's broken through and just working its way to falling off

I would at least try to wrap it to keep it from getting bumped or disturbed and would also keep it clean.