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My dog has a swollen, red, painful nail. Is it an infection or trauma?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | 7 months and 11 days old | 13.5 lbs

My dog has a swollen nail and their is redness around the nail and little bit pain in it on pressing and no pain in walking & running.please tell me whether it is fungal or bacterial infection or pyodermatitis and trauma.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on July 31st, 2017

This seems an infection of the nail bed. It is impossible to give you a more specific diagnosis at this stage. A check up, appropriate disinfection and eventually antibiotics are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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    Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hi. It's hard to say for sure, but it appears bacterial. I'd get it checked by your veterinarian and try some oral antibiotics and medicated wipes. But your veterinarian will most likely want to do some testing to be able to say for sure or not what type of infection it is. Good lick

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