Sean

When I finished working I noticed drops of blood on the floor. Followed them to find out which dog it was. Roux, my Chesapeake Bay Retriever, has a bent (about 30 degrees or so) dewclaw around the bottom third of the nail. This is around the quit and then there is a split a bit further up the claw on the underneath side.

Most of what I read online say to leave it, some things say to cut it and leave it (using a septic of corn starch to stop any bleeding) and let the dog heal; them licking the wound being best for healing etc... I haven't cut it yet and have to work until around five or later. I didn't want to cut it until I could stay with him. I'm torn, not as bad as his dewclaw mind you. Just the same I was wondering if anyone else around here has had to deal with this issue and if so what has been your experience. I have had dogs for decades and have never had this issue until now.

He moved his paw so the picture is not very clear but you can see his twisted nail. Am I just being a baby and pampering him too much?

Attached Images

DSC00649.jpg (82.3 KB, 13 views)

gonzo

I thought the dew claw was on the back side of the paw higher up?
I'm no expert, but I'd be nervous about hitting a bleeder.

Dawnling

That isn't his dewclaw.

Trim hair if you can,
wash it off with warm water if you can and
see if there is any object in there.

If it is just a cut that he caught on something, it will heal with him licking.

If soemthing is in there, it needs to come out

Dawnling

His nails are a bit long and could use to be trimmed more often

Dianekkdi

I'm at a loss Sean. If it were me, I'd have to take him to the vet because I just don't know what is best for him.

Hope he heals quickly.

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Sean

He licked at it a lot yesterday but not so much today and he seems fine. I'm going to cut it as far up as I think safe but it will still have to grow before what he messed up can be trimmed entirely. Trust me if he starts acting different in the least we're off to the vet or the 24 hour animal hospital if after hours.

Dianekkdi

How's your doggy?

__________________

----------------------
Reinvestigate 9/11
Impeach......Prosecute......Imprison

"...The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed...."
--Thomas Jefferson

Sean

Thanks, he's fine. I'm a big worrier when it comes to my animals and I've babied Roux his entire life. I clipped it again and it looks pretty normal. He's been playing fetch and wrestling with the other dogs so he's obviously fine.

Sean

(To skip to the question scroll to the last, bold text, paragraph)

I took Roux to the 24/7 Pet Hospital on Lamar by Central Mark-Up Tuesday evening. a certain unnamed spouse was barking at him New Years Day to get him to hurry up and get off our bed. A while later I noticed blood spots on the floor, followed them to him and discovered a ripped claw.

After doing some research I trimmed it, cleaned it and wrapped it. I did this for the first few days and then decided to leave it unwrapped and watch him. Stupid on my part but even dumber of me yet was thinking letting him lick at it would be the best way to help the wound heal. Last Tuesday or Wednesday evening (a week or a day plus since injury) I clipped off one Hell of a piece that looked like a spear and possibly had been stabbing him between in his webbing (Chessies have webbing between their toes, helps them swim). Cleaned and washed him some more, kept a close eye thinking I'm being responsible when in fact I'm doing totally the opposite.

Monday he seemed to be favoring (as in not putting as much pressure on) his nearing two week injured front left paw. Tuesday it was a bit more noticeable yet he still wasn't in pain and it's not like he was limping. Being the wuss that I am when it comes to him as soon as Renee` got home I ditched plans for us all to drive out to the Hill Country (Harper) where we had plans to spend a couple of days and opted to take Roux to the clinic since the vets office was closed.

They didn't find much saying (ad-libbing of course) that "...it was a bit swollen and early stages of infection... that he his temperature was normal... him licking it made it worse... I was given ($138 bill mind you) two prescriptions: Cephalexin (antibiotic) and Rimadyl for pain and inflammation.

Yesterday it appeared that his foot was swollen and I still had to make that drive to Harper but I did it alone and was back home within six hours of leaving. This morning Roux's foot is still swollen and I'm wondering if I should bring him back in, call them or if if in your experience this healing process is normal?

Kanadesaga

Sean, fuck it ,take him back in or call.

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