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My dog's nail ripped off, quick exposed. How to care for it at home?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Staffordshire Terrier | Male | unneutered | 7 years and 3 months old | 55 lbs

My dog ripped his nail off. Bleeding is stopped but it's broke right down to his hair and his quik is very exposed. Idon't have much antibiotics to wrap it up till tomorrow. But I have something called woun'dres - collagen hydrogel wound dressing. And another thing called iodosorb- cadexomer iodine ointment. Can i use ether for the night?Should I even wrap it?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lotus Altholtz

Veterinarian, Board-Certified Lab Animal Medicine Specialist

Published on January 30th, 2019

You can use both. A thin layer of iodine ointment will serve to help prevent infection. The Woun’ dres can be applied over it. If Caesar is likely to lick it, I recommend an e-collar. He may chew and eat a bandage if he isn’t wearing an e-collar. Bandages are also tricky because they can trap moisture and can tighten, cutting off circulation to the paw. I would continue applying both three times a day until the nail bed appears completely dry and scabbed over. You can place a toddler sock or a bootie over the paw when you take Caesar outside to pee and poop but I would avoid long walks for the next week. Good luck!

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    Answered By Maria DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    I would actually recommend an ecollar overnight. I wouldn't actually bandage Caeser's paw but you can put a sock or bootie on it. The reason I would rather that over a bandage because it will still allow air to it. Your veterinarian will most likely pull his nail tomorrow and prescribe medication for pain. Sometimes we do prescribe antibiotics for this also. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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