Dog broken toenail: How to clean, promote healing, and spot infection?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | American Staffordshire Terrier | Male | unneutered | 7 years and 3 months old | 55 lbs
What is the proper care for re dressing and cleaning for a broken toenail? It's split right up to the fur. I have cleaned it the best I could and I change the dressing 3 times a day for 3 days now. I'm not sure if I should be wiping everything off it and the yucky stuff on the bottom part of the nail (maybe from the iodosorb-or woun'dres?) Or if it's a soft scab forming? It looks raw when I do wipe it off. AWhat signs do I watch for for infection? What colors are normal for the healing process?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 2nd, 2019
Poor Caeser! Gently clean it with warm water and antiseptic soap. To keep him from licking at it, you can put an Ecollar on him. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and he will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 10th, 2018
Ouch, this looks very painful to Radar! And I agree that it looks painful. I would take him into the vet first thing Monday. He will likely need to be sedated in order to remove the broken nail and antibiotics for an infection. Until you can get him into a vet, I would put an Ecollar on him to keep him from licking at it. You can make one at home or you can buy one at a pet store. I hope this helps! http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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