Finn's Toe

[tornadosgirl]

In the scope of things, I know this is not a huge deal. Especially seeing what other pups are going thru. And this is not the first time I've posted images of this toenail of Finn's. But the vet has said the only real option is to keep it trimmed (and it's time for a trim now). But has anyone heard of other things that can be done for toenails that grow at odd angles?

 

[Guest Nitemare]

My girl, Dazhee, has the same odd angle toe nail. My vet said the same thing. I was at a M&G and had her nails done while I was their and the groomer was afraid to trim that nail! I found that extremely odd since it is white and you can clearly see what you are doing. Now, I just do them myself. I wish I had a close up pic of hers on the computer, but I don't.

[Guest Greytluv]

She may have injured it on the track

[KF_in_Georgia]

There's a cocker spaniel I groom who has one funky nail on a back foot: the nail grows stick-straight and twice as fast as all the other nails. At least, it seems twice as fast, but since the nail never hits the ground when the dog walks, it may just not get worn down by regular wear. The only option is to cut (or Dremel) the nail. This isn't a bad option, and certainly is easier, cheaper, and less risky than any surgical-like approach.

[tornadosgirl]

She may have injured it on the track

 

We think that is what happened. He came directly from the track (the now closed Twin River), Christmas 2008 about a month after his last race, and we didn't notice anything at the time. But later it got infected and the toenail just dropped off. A round of antibiotics cleared it up and the toenail grew back, but at this odd angle. We get it trimmed at the vet, but I was hoping for a permanent solution. But I guess since it doesn't seem to cause him pain, it's not a huge deal.

Edited January 26, 2011 by tornadosgirl

[rascalsmom]

This might be similar. I had Ruby at the vet last week, and my DD noticed her one toe seemed to be pointing more toward the side. The vet looked at it, and said it could just be that she injured it at some point, and had a little tendon damage...and it just healed that way. The tendon is basically stretched a little on one side of the toe, so the toe points the other direction somewhat.

[Guest boondog]

Boon tore his toenail at the base while running in the yard. I had to take him to the vet because I couldn't get it to stop bleeding (of course it was after my vet was closed so I got to pay for OSU's emergency service ). The vet cut it all the way back and said because of the damage to the nail bed it might grow back at a weird angle or not at all. Boon's grew back at a very strange angle. I just keep it really short. It doesn't seem to bother him at all.

[tbhounds]

Have you tired dremmeling the nail?? You might be able to shape the into a better angle.

[tornadosgirl]

I tried once, but he was afraid of the dremmel. I will need to keep trying, to build up his tolerance to the sound and vibration. Thanks.

[Saharasmom]

One of Coltrane's nails looks the same. It looked normal until it tore off (on a walk ), then it grew back sideways. He ended up tearing the same nail last week. Based on the blood tracked throughout the house, I think he tore it off on his way up the stairs. Not sure how it happened, but I sure wish it would grow back normally.