Torn Toenail

By: Christian Yost

March 28, 2009

Toenail problems in cats are common and fortunately, are rarely life threatening. The most common problem that affects the toenail is a torn or broken nail. You might not even notice a torn nail until you see blood or your cat begins to limp or cry. As there is a significant blood supply to the base of the nail, bleeding is common.

Nails often get snagged on fabric or carpet fibers, and in an attempt to dislodge the attached material, your cat might pull away, tearing the nail in the process. If left untreated, a torn nail can bleed intermittently and become infected, not to mention the pain and irritation for your cat.

Veterinary Care

Veterinary care can reduce the potential for infection and provide easy removal of the torn nail. Diagnosis is based on examination of the nail. Your veterinarian will note a fracture of the nail and bleeding.

Depending on the extent of the tear, rapid removal of the nail just above the tear is usually sufficient. Unfortunately, this can be painful.

Usually, your veterinarian will clip the nail with nail trimmers and then apply a temporary bandage to stop any additional bleeding. Based on the depth of the tear and severity of the injury, your pet will probably need to take antibiotics.

Home Care

If you try to treat your cat at home, remember: a torn nail is painful for your cat and you should take care to avoid getting bit. The following steps are important:

Initially, you will have to stop the bleeding. You can use silver nitrate or styptic pencils. If you don’t have either of these, try cornstarch or flour. When placed on a bleeding nail, these generally stop the bleeding.

Removing the loose nail is the most difficult part of caring for the torn nail. Most often, you can just pull the loose piece of nail off very quickly. If the nail doesn’t come off easily, you can try to use a pet nail trimmer and remove the nail at the level of the break. Remember, this will probably hurt your cat for a second. If the tear in the nail is high up and near the base of the nail, don’t attempt to remove it with trimmers. If the nail isn’t easily pulled off, see your veterinarian for treatment. The last bone of each toe is very close to the beginning of the nail. Without experience, you may end up hurting your cat more than you realize.

If you manage to remove the damaged part of the nail, gently wash the area with warm water to remove any debris lodged between the nail and the toe or leg. Then apply a temporary bandage if necessary for bleeding. Take care not to wrap the bandage too tight so circulation will not be damaged. Leave it in place for 12 to 24 hours.

If you do not feel comfortable taking care of a torn nail, call your veterinarian. Leaving a torn nail to heal on its own (which will not happen) or allowing the nail to grow out is not a recommended option. This causes persistent irritation and repeated breaks.

Preventative Care

The best preventative care is to trim your pets nails on a frequent basis. Overgrown nails are most commonly torn or broken. Despite trimming nails, torn nails can occur. Stopping the initial bleeding is important. Removal of the remaining piece of broken nail is also key to healing.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Trimming Your Cat’s Toenails

By: Christian Yost

March 28, 2009

It’s that time again – time to trim your kitty’s toenail’s. But while some cats don’t seem to mind when you’re trimming their nails, others just plain don’t like it. And they are not at all shy about letting you know how they feel – by squirming and scratching. Following these suggestions for a proper nail trim might help you give your cat a not-so-arduous manicure.

Start young. The earlier you start clipping your kitty’s claws, the better used to it she will be. Frequent trims when your cat is young will help diminish any fear. Have your veterinarian show you how to do it the first time.

Learn the anatomy. Within the center of each toenail is the blood and nerve supply for the nail called the quick. Most cats have light colored nails so you can see the quick, a pinkish area in the middle of the nail. Cutting into the quick will result in pain and bleeding.

There are a variety of nail trimmers available at pet stores or your veterinarian’s office. Human nail trimmers generally do not work – unless your pet is a young kitten with soft clear nails.

A Clip or an Overhaul

Before you start clipping, determine how much needs to be trimmed. The basic rule of thumb is that the nail, which curls downward, should be even with the paw pad. Whatever hangs over must be clipped.

Procedure

Hold your cat firmly or have someone else help, and if your kitty is not used to getting her nails clipped, be ready for her to squirm.

Gently squeeze down on your cat’s toe knuckles so that the nails are spread out and exposed. Place the trimmer in your dominant hand.

Eyeball the quick and aim a few millimeters below it. If you cut into the quick, referred to as “quicking,” it will hurt your cat and the nail will bleed.

Place the trimmer flush with the pad, place the nail in the trimmer and remove the excess nail. For cats, removing just the sharp pointed tip is often enough.

Although you will take great care not to hurt your pet, sometimes accidents happen and you will cut into the quick. Have silver nitrate products on hand – you can get them at your veterinarian’s office or pet store. You can also use flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. If that doesn’t work, apply a light bandage for about 15 minutes. It the bleeding continues, call your veterinarian.

Another option to a traditional nail trimmer is the new “nail grinder” or rotary tool. This device is basically like a dremel tool that grinds your cat’s nail to its desired length. It is easy and fast. The amount you take off is similar to the above.

When using the nail grinder – make sure you introduce it to yourcat slowly. Pet him with it and let him get used to it. Then turn it on and give him a massage with it. Introduce it slowly and when he does well – give him positive reinforcement or a treat.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com