Nail clipped too short

J
Juiliette Icon representing the flag French
Report

Hi everyone,

I was clipping my dog's nails this morning and accidentally cut one of his back claws too short—I hit the quick and it bled. I put a bandage on it and the bleeding seemed to stop. However, this afternoon he pulled the bandage off and it started bleeding again. Does that sound "normal" to you?

I've cleaned it with an antiseptic solution and put a new bandage on with gauze and some low-tack surgical tape. Is there anything else I should be doing?

His coat is quite long at the moment and I haven't trimmed the hair around the area; could that be a problem?

I'm worried about missing the early signs of infection. Is there anything in particular I should look out for, besides his energy levels, appetite, toilet habits, and temperature?

Thanks for your help, it's the first time this has happened. He's three and a half years old, a small breed (similar to a Shih Tzu) with no particular health issues.

Translated from French
icon info

The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.

Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.

Write your message and upload a photo if you want to! Please remain courteous in your exchanges.

Your post will be visible to all members of the international Wamiz forum.

18 answers
Sort by:
    • W
    William Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    It’s not dangerous as long as you’ve disinfected it well and the nail is clean. There’s no reason to worry because there’s a small blood vessel inside the nail—the quick—that bleeds if you cut them too short.
    Translated from French
    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Putting some flour on the bleeding stops it – a pharmacist recommended it! 🙂

    Translated from French
    Filomat
    Filomat Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Hi everyone! Two years on and the same nightmare has happened to me lol... basically, the missus clipped one of our pooch’s claws a bit too short. It’s definitely a bit scary when it happens, and she’s feeling really guilty about it now too, lol. He’s alright though; it didn’t bleed for long and there wasn't much of it. I think the wife is more shaken up than he is, to be honest, ha ha. Anyway, thanks to all of you—your replies really helped as I found this thread straight away during my first search, and it put our minds at ease immediately ✌👋👋
    Translated from French
    J
    Juiliette Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Thanks! He was licking it quite a bit overnight and it looked really clean this morning. He’s doing well; I covered his paw for his walk this morning but didn't bother this afternoon, and I gave it a quick wipe with some antiseptic. He’s running, jumping, and playing – he’s fine! He doesn't wear his front claws down much, but his back claws are already quite worn and I really shouldn't have messed with them.
    Translated from French
    Bobkat
    Bobkat Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Hmm, the same thing happened to me at the end of last year. My girl had to wear a boot for walks because of a paw pad injury, and her exercise was restricted too. I noticed her claws weren't getting worn down naturally. I went to trim them and caught the quick on one (even though I didn't think I'd cut it that short). It started bleeding and I felt terrible for her.

    Then I remembered what to do: I cleaned it, wrapped the paw in a gauze pad with some flour... and popped a sock over the top. Within an hour, it had stopped bleeding.

    You might want to protect the paw when you're out and about, or if you can't do that, just make sure to clean it properly every time you get back from a walk.

    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Hiya Doudou 👋

    Translated from French
    J
    Juiliette Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Yeah, I’m going to file them now!

    The back ones are fine, they wear down naturally, but since he’s mostly out in the countryside in fields and woods, the front nails don’t really wear down enough on their own.

    Translated from French
    J
    Juiliette Icon representing the flag French
    Report
    Great idea for the walk! Thanks!
    Translated from French
    Doudou229
    Doudou229 Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    Juliette

    It can happen to the best of us...

    I’ve been caught out by that too, with one of my Lab’s black nails (after that, I stopped trimming my dogs' nails myself altogether).

    You can use a small wooden board (with some coarse grit sandpaper) and move their paws back and forth on it... then a little walk afterwards to help file them down more naturally...

    I won’t lie though, once they’re over about 4 and a half stone (65 lbs), it does get a bit trickier.

    😞 I’ve got Retrievers myself.

    Have a lovely evening

    Translated from French
    Doudou229
    Doudou229 Icon representing the flag French
    Report

    As a bit of a DIY hack, you can cut up a sanitary towel to put under the paw pad and wrap a plastic bag around it to make a little boot for walks...

    No worries, my first dog was a real mountain adventurer ;-) a Yugoslavian Shepherd...

    it was a proper learning curve...

    😁

    @Munch

    Yes! Super glue 👍 you're right, I hadn't thought of that, it's brilliant for closing a wound! Great little hack. 👌

    Hiya girlie 🙂

    Translated from French

  • 10 comments out of 18

    See more
    • Do you have a question? An experience to share? Create a post on our forum!
    These topics could be of interest to you!
    Find out more