Bloodbath

[MattC]

Hi everyone,
A few nights ago after work my wife and I were clipping Nick's nails and on his left paw we trimmed one nail too short. It was a bloodbath. It seemed like there was blood everywhere. All the white fur on his paw was red. we wrapped his paw in paper towel the bleeding would not stop. After about five minutes of this I started to panic and we called our vet (thank god they are open until 10 PM). The vet said that we could use either a steptic pencil or just stick his paw in flour. I first tried the steptic pencil (which was actually kind of funny because it is called "Nick Relief") however it didn't work. I also know those pencils sting so I was expecting Nick to take a chomp at me when I put it on his paw but he was fine. We ended up putting his paw in flour and that did the trick but it bled for a good 10 minutes. I guess there is a point to this story and it is actually more of a question. Nick's nail bled a lot and for a rather long time. Is there any danger regarding this sort of accident? Can you clip too much nail off to the point of a problem? Can he get an infection from clipping too much nail? All my research is coming up that this sort of thing is not dangerous.

[fogebotom]

I would watch the nail closely. Slim chance of infection but I wouldn't start him on antibiotics just yet ;0)

Go out and get a bottle of Kwik Stop. It's the powder form of the styptic pencil. It's got iodine in it that will disinfect the cut as well as stop the bleeding. Can be used on nails, small cuts(like paper cuts), but it does burn.

I also suggest investing in a Dremel! Last dog I did nails on with a nail clipper, I must have quicked her on all four feet, at least one if not two nails each. She was stoic and didn't even flinch-didn't notice till I saw blood on the grooming table. The dremels with a 60 grit sanding drum are much easier to use, never had one nail bleed from getting too close and the nail is smooth when done. Here's a good link for info on the dremel and nails:

How to Dremel Dog Nails @ DoberDawn.com

[MyPemCharlie]

Poor Nick! I know that's painful, but from what I've read, not dangerous. My last dog's nails always wore down walking, but I had to read up on how to clip a dog's nails with Charlie. He was too young to go out walking, so his nails were growing fast. I was always prepared for the bloodbath if I had ever cut into the quick.

One weekend, he squirmed just as I was clipping and I clipped right up to the quick. He didn't bleed, but I could see the little pink quick right at the tip. Any fraction of an inch more, and I'm sure I would have had the bloodbath. Anyway, he was not as stoic as Cindy's dog. He yelped like I had tried to kill him and wouldn't let me finish his nails. For several weeks, I had to muzzle him for grooming until he got used to it again. I still trim him weekly, but I trim his nails a little bit longer than they should be.

It is scary to think about cutting too short. I can imagine how much panic you must have felt actually seeing all that blood...especially when it wouldn't stop!

[MattC]

Thanks folks. I will keep an eye on that nail. He seems to be fine now. But i will never forget the look on his face. He looked like he was trying not to cry. Poor guy, I feel bad just thinking about it. The dremel is a good idea. Normally his nails do get worn down from walking but he has a dew claw that needs trimming from time to time and for one reason or another his nails looks rather long. There was a voice in the back of my head saying don't do it his nails are fine. I should have listened to that voice.

[Chip's Mom]

I always take my dogs to the vet's for nail trimming and the last time I took Dale the girl quicked one of his nails and never told me. Well that thing started bleeding and by the time I got home there was blood on him too. Also on the ground and the floor. I was very upset to say the least. Cutting nails is a scary thing and now my daughter and I do it and always leave them a little long. I felt so bad for him.

[Louwants]

I take Duncan to the vet to have his nails trimmed (which I have to do on my next day off) mainly because I'm afraid of hurting him. The other is that it is such a battle clipping his nails. I've tried EVERYTHING I could think up to make if a pleasant activity. Treats, belly rubs after each clip, doing one a day....but he always sounds like he is being murdered!

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MattC

Nick's nail bled a lot and for a rather long time. Is there any danger regarding this sort of accident? Can you clip too much nail off to the point of a problem? Can he get an infection from clipping too much nail? All my research is coming up that this sort of thing is not dangerous.

I snipped some as it was kinda long.

Yes, you can cut too much off and it can be painful for the dog. Usually that doesn't happen and you just happen to get too close to the quick or take the end of the quick off. That isn't as bad although it can bleed.

An infection is possible but not probable. Just keep an eye on it. If it swells or he starts limping then have it checked out.

FYI for next time, as Cindy said Qwik Stop is good to have on hand. Corn starch will also work. Even holding an ice cube on the nail will work.

However, if you bled a lot or longer than you think it should have you might have him checked for von Wildebrands Disease. VetGen: Veterinary Genetic Services - Canine - List of Services - vWD Type I

Peggy

[MattC]

Thanks for the update. I have been watching his paw and he he is perfectly fine. It actually bled for 10 minutes then we doused his paw with flour. What is Von Wildebrands disease? Sounds like something you get from a Dutch prostitute.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MattC

Thanks for the update. I have been watching his paw and he he is perfectly fine. It actually bled for 10 minutes then we doused his paw with flour. What is Von Wildebrands disease? Sounds like something you get from a Dutch prostitute.

von Willebrands disease is a blood clotting disorder. Dogs with it can bleed to death.

Peggy