A broken or torn nail can be painful, fortunately there are certain measures you can do to ease your pet’s pain. It’s usually the dew claws that are prone to tearing and breaking. The dew claws are found higher up on the front foot. Unlike the other nails which are fixed, dew claws are more loosely attached, which puts them at more risk of being torn or broken.

There are also times when the nail cracks or become broken during nail trimming. Just a small paw movement or a quick hard yank can rip out the dog’s nail, partially or completely.

The following signs may indicate that your dog has a damaged nail:

• The dog is limping or favoring a foot by trying not to put weight on it.
• The dog licks his paw constantly
• The affected paw or toe appears swollen and inflamed
• Spots of blood may be found on areas where the dog usually stays in
• The dog may resist when you try to hold and check his paw or toe

A damaged nail needs to be checked by your best veterinarian Marietta, GA, because it can possibly cause serious infections if it is not addressed properly.