eppfaff
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Shelby
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Post by eppfaff on Feb 13, 2009 21:17:34 GMT -5
Shelby suffered a split nail on one of front paws today. This is the third time she has split or re-split the same nail since last summer. So I am thinking it may be time for the vet to remove the nail. Has anyone had this done? How is the recovery period?
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Post by Courtney on Feb 14, 2009 19:26:46 GMT -5
Sorry, I don't have any experience w/ nail removal. I'm wondering though, if perhaps Shelby's nails are being kept too long and that's why they're splitting?
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eppfaff
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Shelby
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Post by eppfaff on Feb 15, 2009 13:59:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the response.
I don't think it is that her nails are too long. This is because since originally splitting the nail in June 08, the same nail has re split 2 more times. I took her to the vet when it first split and the vet was on the fence on whether to remove it or just let it be.
I plan on taking her in again this coming week. But I was wondering how bad the procedure is. She is very active, even with the gimpy paw today.
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Post by bamapitbullmom on Feb 15, 2009 16:09:39 GMT -5
Jasmine had a habit of ripping nails, once completely off. I finally realized that she was jumping onto the AC unit and I can only assume that she ripped the claw in the grating when she turned to jump off. I've since taught her that the AC unit is off limits and we've had no more problems. A friend of mine did recently have one of her dogs toes amped because of an injury resulting in a broken toe. Agility woes. It was a painful recovery requiring down time and a cast, worse with an agility driven high energy dog. Personally, I would probably need to have this occur with Shelby a few-several more times before considering actually removing the claw. If you have an idea of how she's doing it, I'd start there and either try to make it more difficult for her to get herself into a position of injuring it. Easier said than done, I know. If she reinjured the nail before it healed, I wouldn't consider that a reoccuring issue but just a higher probability of incidence considering a semi-healed split nail will be easier to reinjure. I'd probably treat the injury (I pack with corn meal and use stiptic powder) like Polysporin and boot. Still advisable to discuss it with your vet. Let us know what you decide and what you find out!
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lola1
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Lola and Reed
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Post by lola1 on Feb 15, 2009 18:11:17 GMT -5
A few months ago Reed split his nail, and the vet wanted to remove it. She got him under anesthesia, and decided to just cut it down to where the split was and clean it well. Besides the cost, it wasn't bad at all. Later that night he was walking fine, and the next day he was running around. I did have to keep it covered for a few days, and then he had antibiotics, and cream type stuff to apply. He tolerated it really well, and I'm glad he recovered quickly, but any kind of procedure that requires anesthesia scares me. Good luck, and please update.
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Post by Jaz on Feb 15, 2009 18:46:15 GMT -5
I used to own and run hunting dog trails and my dog broke jis toe. I hade to have the nail removed it did not bother him at all he was down 2 days and we were back at it so I think it depends on the dog.
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snipe
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Post by snipe on Feb 15, 2009 19:50:24 GMT -5
but any kind of procedure that requires anesthesia scares me. ya especially if they are old, they (like humans) are fragile. check with your vet to see if there is any other way. even if they aren't anesthesia is still a big deal.
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eppfaff
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Shelby
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Post by eppfaff on Feb 15, 2009 20:16:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the input everyone.
I will report back after we see the vet. I am not anxious for her to have to go under an anesthetic nor for the surgical procedure. However, the way the nail is split (lengthwise into the flesh part) and the darn recurrences make me want to see it taken care of and heal properly.
The latest split occurred after she was running some trails with us in the woods. Apparently wanting to cool off she jumped onto an ice covered creek, breaking the ice so she could lay there. For the next few minutes that is exactly what she did, plus lapping up creek water. Air temp was in the low 20's. I am not totally sure if this is when she re split it, but suspect it is. It was typical of her and so I am concerned that unless I fix it right, it was re-occur ad infinitum.
Once again, thanks and I will report back later this week.
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snipe
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Post by snipe on Feb 15, 2009 21:22:09 GMT -5
ya in that case if anesthesia seems like the best option go for it, it's just that anesthesia on any creature is stressful
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eppfaff
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Shelby
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Post by eppfaff on Feb 16, 2009 19:00:41 GMT -5
Shelby saw the vet this afternoon.
Vet said that the split went all the way up, lengthwise its full length; that this nail's growth may continue to be affected; that the split went too far to just cut and cauterize under anesthesia; that if surgery was elected the entire toe would be taken and the recovery period for that would be 2 weeks, that's two weeks of keeping it sterile as the blood vessel would be exposed.
Vet did not recommend the surgery at this point. Instead she clipped the nail as close to the quick as she could while I held the animal, then used surgical glue to try to glue the split together.
So we will keep clipping a very small amount off the split nail every 2 weeks in the hope that it will grow and that eventually the split will grow out. At least that is the plan for now. Hopefully it works.
Thanks to all who responded.
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Post by RealPitBull on Feb 20, 2009 9:54:07 GMT -5
Thank you for the update. I do hope you guys can make do without the surgery. Good luck!
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