a_daerr Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 Wolf tore his dew claw recently. Took him to the vet who tore the rest of the nail out, until just the quick was exposed. She wrapped it and suggested keeping it wrapped for about a week or so. I followed those instructions, but every time I try to take the bandage off, it starts bleeding all over the place (not a gusher, just streaks of blood on the floor and on the dog beds. It's enough that I wrap it again. It sure seems to hurt him, but he lets me put his foot in the bucket and do an epsom salt soak every couple or days. But I can't even tell if it's getting better or worse. If anyone can take look at these pics and explain to me what I should be looking for... This is what it looks like when I change the bandage. Still a lot of blood and drainage. Doesn't appear hot or pus-filled. At what point do I give up on this song and dance and get the dew claw removed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 I have always left the remains uncovered after a day or two. I think it will start to heal faster (form a scab) if it is exposed to the air. You should be able to stop the bleeding with cornstarch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted November 30, 2016 Author Share Posted November 30, 2016 It still continues to bleed and ooze like that after two weeks. Does that sound normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 I'm no help. I had two ripped declaws removed when they happened. I wonder if the Epsom salt soaks and constant bandaging are leading to it not healing (sort of along with what Jan said). If you keep a scab wet all the time it won't heal. On my own person owies I've found If I keep them covered and bandaged they take forever to heal. Give them some air and they'll scab up. Another option is to leave it uncovered and slap some EMT Gel (aka "scab in a tube") on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 I don't think I've ever seen one stay that... juicy (blech)... for so long. What does your vet say? EMT Gel, or colloidal silver, or honey poultices might be helpful. I mean, it's essentially an open wound that won't heal, right?? If he'd had the dew claw surgically removed, it would be healed by now probably. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 OH, This just makes me cringe. It does not look infected, but looks horribly painful. I think I would have it removed. Poor guy Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighsayer Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 What are you putting on it? Is the bandage sticking to it when you pull it off? You need a non stick pad against the foot if you continue to wrap it. I agree that you should leave it open and let it dry up. My Mickey had SLO, and his quicks would dry up much faster when left unwrapped. Try leaving it open for a few days. Maybe try spraying it with Vetericyn several times a day. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 Ouch, poor Wolfie. I agree with the other posts to leave it uncovered as much as possible and wrap lightly only for trips outside if needed. Seamie had SLO and after a couple days of wrapping immediately after losing the nail, he went unbandaged. At this point I personally would discontinue the epsom soaks and go for trying to dry it out. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 (edited) I'm no help. I had two ripped declaws removed when they happened. I wonder if the Epsom salt soaks and constant bandaging are leading to it not healing (sort of along with what Jan said). If you keep a scab wet all the time it won't heal. On my own person owies I've found If I keep them covered and bandaged they take forever to heal. Give them some air and they'll scab up. Another option is to leave it uncovered and slap some EMT Gel (aka "scab in a tube") on it. yup, the soaking is removing the clot. bandage with gauze and tape w/ vet wrap and ignore if he's licking it a lot. if you feel strange about bandaging with out a triple antibiotic ointment, apply once. that too prevents scabbing but one application only delays healing by a short amount of time. if this makes you feel better felix managed to loose a toe nail- outer rear and it looked the same. less of a bloody stub but it was super sensitive for quite a while and initially he bled like a stuck pig. i clotted it w/ my very favorite- QUICK STOP. i fine EMT gel does bupkhas! it looked like a mess but stopped pooling blood. since felix is such a basket case with bandages i just left it alone, it took a good 6 months to see some nail growing in. now he has a weird curly nail which i keep super short that stands at attention. just think, if truman did this he would need a bandage from toe to elbow! Edited November 30, 2016 by cleptogrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted November 30, 2016 Author Share Posted November 30, 2016 Hahahahaha, Andrea! That's 100% the truth. Hmm, I actually feared I wasn't changing his dressings enough. I've rewrapped it three times in two weeks and soaked it twice. I've tried without the bandages, but it starts bleeding again within an hour. Still looks very wet and raw. He's in so much pain from it, he actually GSOD'd and tried to bite me last night. I'll probably just take him back and ask to have it removed. Tracy, can they do that with a local? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 Sounds like his dew claw is not typical, so yeah, I would have it removed. No idea if they can do a local. Poor boy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 check out the anatomy of the dew claw, more surgery than i would like to perform on one of my dogs. what does your vet say? maybe it needs to be cauterized?much cheaper and less invasive than removal. i do remember my vet telling me that if felix's nail bed didn't stop bleeding she could cauterize it. i packed on the quick stop, you know how frugal i am!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 (edited) An I seeing that right? Its not just an open sore, but the quick hanging out? I don't understand why they would tear the nail off and leave the quick exposed, sounds horribly painful for him. I'm not one to jump to the surgery option, but in this case I think I'd consider it. Just remove the source of the pain immediately. Poor guy, and poor you. Wounds that won't heal are so frustrating. In case I'm mistaken and it is just a sore at this point, I will say what worked for me in the end is a product called Trypzyme along with the Epsom salt soaks. Trypzyme is magic as it has a granulating agent. Unfortunately they don't make it any more, but you may be able to find a similar product. Fwiw, the soaks do soften any scab, but I didn't find that detrimental so long as I applied the Trypzyme once it has dried a bit and kept Z from licking. I think it promoted healing and kept away infection. Edited November 30, 2016 by NeylasMom Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3greytjoys Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 We keep Clotisol at home to stop bleeding on more involved injuries of this nature. Clotisol can be squirted from afar if dog is feeling too sensitive for wound handling. Clotisol is used for tail docking, etc. One of our hounds was notorious for ripping off nails and dew claws. They grow back so slowly from that stage, it was easier to keep them dremeled/trimmed much shorter. Agree with stopping soaks, and leaving it open to heal, but try to prevent him from licking it. Good luck. Clotisol: http://www.entirelypets.com/clotisol2oz.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 I've always been told Quick Stop hurts like heck. . May have to try it on myself like my former co-workers and I I did with the prong collar. I'd just have it taken off and be over with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 It's a fast sting,I have used it on myself. Even with my drama queen there is no flinching. So,what did the vet say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted December 1, 2016 Author Share Posted December 1, 2016 Well to answer Jen's question, YES, it is the exposed quick. Here's a pic of what it looked like when it first happened. The quick is just hanging out. I called and requested an appointment at the vet. Earliest I can get in is Saturday, unless there's a cancellation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 so, throw a tad of triple antibiotic ointment, put a non-stick gauze pad over the quick, wrap w/ gauze then vet wrap and your good to go. just make sure you have enough room for circulation.you don't have to change the dressing between now and the appointment. you can check vet wrapped dew claws for coursing and border collies have they wrapped all the time for field work. yes, to google image! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Yeah, poor guy, I would get rid of that. That has to be so painful. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 SO, WHAT DID THE VET DO???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 Yes, update please. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted December 8, 2016 Author Share Posted December 8, 2016 Ah! Sorry guys! She gave us an antibiotic. That seemed to do the trick. Within 24 hours, I was able to take the bandage off and leave it open. It's looking a lot better now and had formed some new growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Oh wow, impressive. So glad it was a simple solution. Hope this is the beginning of the end of it. Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 good, sometimes it's worth while seeing your vet! who knew.....antibiotics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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