A broken or torn nail can be painful, however there are certain steps you can take to ease your pet’s pain and make him more comfortable. A dog’s dew claws are the ones which are prone to tearing and breaking. These are the nails which are found higher up on the front of the dog’s foot. Unlike the other nails, dew claws are more loosely attached, thus putting them more at risk of being torn or broken.

There are many instances when nail trimming leads to a cracked or broken nail. Just a small paw movement or a quick hard yank can partially or totally rip out a nail completely.

A dog that has a damaged nail may show the following signs:

• Limping or favoring a paw to avoid putting weight on it while walking
• Constant licking of the affected paw
• The paw or toe is swollen
• Blood may be present on the dog’s bedding
• Resistance when the paw or toe is handled

A damaged nail needs to be seen by your Frisco, TX veterinarian because it can pave the way for serious infections if it is not addressed properly. Learn more here.