Golly recently caught her dew claw on the carpet and tore her nail almost completely off. There was blood everywhere as she licked her injured foot. A quick look showed that she had ripped her dew claw nail off at the base. I immediately called the vet, and we went in for treatment.
Since the nail was barely attached, the vet removed it completely. Golly was given pain medication and the wound was wrapped to keep it clean. Eventually, the nail grew back as good as new.
What Is a Dew Claw?
A dew claw is located on the inside of a dog’s front leg, about halfway between the pad on their foot and the one on their wrist. It appears like a small fleshy bump with a nail growing out of it.
Here are pictures showing the dew claw’s location:
Treating a Broken or Torn Dew Claw
An injury to the dew claw is extremely painful and requires veterinary attention. You can provide first aid at home to control bleeding or wrap the paw. However, you still need to call the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
First Aid for Dew Claw Injuries
Stay calm and do your best to keep your dog calm too. Yelping or growling likely indicates significant pain. Offer gentle reassurance and avoid panicking, as that will only scare your dog.
Step 1: Stop the bleeding. Apply liberal amounts of styptic powder to the entire injured nail. Use a clean cloth to apply steady pressure until bleeding ceases. This also helps ease your dog’s discomfort.
Step 2: Bandage the paw to protect it from dirt and irritation. A sterile pad and self-adhesive wrap work well.
Step 3: Call the vet immediately. Follow their guidance for the next steps.
When to Seek Emergency Veterinary Care
While some minor dew claw injuries may heal on their own, they often require professional medical care to prevent further complications like infections from setting in.
Take your dog to the emergency vet if you notice:
- Excessive bleeding that doesn’t stop
- Persistent licking, chewing, or biting at the injured paw
- Visible swelling around the toe or foot
- Lameness or unwillingness to put weight on the paw
- Signs of pain, including whimpering, aggressive behavior, clinginess, or neediness
Will a Broken Dew Claw Heal on Its Own?
A cracked or torn dew claw may mend without treatment. However, leaving the wound open heightens the risk of developing a bacterial infection. Considering the claw’s direct connection to the bone, infections can rapidly turn septic and become life-threatening.
Rather than leave a damaged nail to chance, call your vet. They can properly clean the area, smooth off any jagged edges, and dress the wound to encourage quick healing. This greatly lessens the odds of complications down the road.
Should a Badly Damaged Dew Claw Be Amputated?
If the entire claw tears off at the base where it connects to the bone, your vet will likely recommend complete removal. Cleaning out damaged tissue prevents lingering inflammation or introduced bacteria. Stitches neatly close off the open wound so it can heal cleanly.
Some breeders argue dew claw removal protects hunting and working dogs from future hazards. Others do it simply for physical appearance. But completely amputating healthy front leg dew claws has consequences.
Potential impacts of dew claw removal include:
- Muscle atrophy from lack of use
- Joint inflammation and arthritis
- Reduced grip strength for carrying, climbing, eating, etc.
So unless facing a severe injury, it’s generally best to save the dew claw so it can regrow and keep serving its purpose.
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Why Do Some Dogs Have Rear Dew Claws?
Unlike front leg dew claws which connect to bone and serve a purpose, rear dew claws just dangle by skin. They provide zero traction or leverage benefits. These non-functional claws commonly tear and rip during work or play. And their loose skin attachment limits blood flow, hampering healing.
To prevent injuries down the road, many breeds like Mastiffs and St. Bernards have their rear dew claws removed as puppies by reputable breeders. Talk with your vet about the pros and cons of your particular dog.
Caring for Healthy Dew Claws
While less used than regular toenails, dew claws still require periodic trimming and grooming. Their positioning higher up on the legs reduces natural wear from walking and running over abrasive surfaces. So they can quickly overgrow if neglected.
Trim your dog’s dew claws:
- At least monthly
- More often for indoor-only dogs
- Whenever you trim regular nails
Proper dew claw care guidelines:
- Trim just beyond the edge of the quick
- Be extra cautious to avoid cutting quick
- Use magnification to identify the depth of quick
- Apply styptic powder to stop any bleeding
- Check that the trimmed nail sits flat on the floor
Like any other body part, healthy dew claws grow continuously throughout your dog’s life. So consistently maintaining proper length greatly reduces the risk of painful splits and breakages.
What If My Dog’s Dew Claw Gets Injured Anyway?
Even if carefully groomed, active pups still face the risk of occasional dew claw mishaps. Sports or roughhousing can catch claws on turf or carpeting mid-play. Overgrown nails may split down quickly. Exuberant scratching can likewise damage fragile claws.
While healed skin hides seemingly insignificant dew claw wounds, the unseen interior trauma may continue causing discomfort if left unchecked. Continued inflammation or improper healing increases the likelihood of future aggravation leading to chronic misery.
So don’t ignore minor tears and cracks. Schedule a quick vet visit to properly treat clotting, control pain, and prevent the onset of lingering complications. Then monitor the healing and ease activity restrictions as your vet advises. With prompt care, your pup will soon be as good as new!