Why is there crumb-like stuff on my dog's nail after spay surgery?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! What you are describing is the normal quick or blood supply of the nail which is again not abnormal and nothing needs to be done. She does need a nail trim which you can do with your groomer or veterinarian at your earliest convenience. Best of luck!

That is what is known as the quik of the nail. It the sensitive portion that contains the nerves and blood supply. The nail have been broken and the protective shell has been separated from the quik. It is painful and can bleed a lot. Typically they have to be sedated and have the quick trimmed back so it will not be exposed further and be painful to allow the nail to regrow.

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. It is not likely that the nail became infected that quickly last night and it is more likely that the corn starch mixed with blood and moisture created a bad odor. I would leave the nail unwrapped. If you begin to see pus or any discharge at the site of the broken nail or any swelling of the toe, I would have Zoey examined by a veterinarian as she may need a course of an oral antibiotic. I would suggest soaking the foot in a solution of betadine and saline (so that you have a light brown solution). Soak the foot twice daily for 5-10 minutes at a time for 3-5 days and then stop. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If you can remove the nail that is remaining, I would. You can cut the quick, too, if needed. If it bleeds, thickly apply something powdered, like corn starch or flour, to clot the blood. Then place a bandage over the nail for no longer than 24 hours. You MUST take the bandage off in 24 hours and do not place it tightly. If Rex is licking the area, he could cause an infection, so monitor for any swelling, discharge, or redness until the new nail grows. You can also soak the paw in an Epsom salt bath to soothe the area (make sure it is dry before applying the bandage). I cannot stress enough that he cannot wear the bandage longer than 24 hours. Good luck and kisses to Rex!

One of our biggest concerns with a broken nail where the quick is exposed is that the dog will infect the area by licking it. In order to prevent that, I will sometimes recommend an e-collar or a having the dog wear a bootie to prevent licking. Some owners decide to bandage the area, but you have to be very careful to keep the bandage clean and dry or it will worsen an infection. If a dog has already licked a quick, I will usually recommend soaking the foot in Epsom Salts (following the instructions on the box for making it up) for 5 minutes then just drying it well. Some dogs are so painful that they will not leave a quick alone and will require pain medications. If at any time the quick is red or has a discharge or odor, then it might be infected and your veterinarian should examine it. The nail should regrow normally and should not need further treatment after that. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Sunny heals quickly. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Clip the nail carefully. If there is bleeding, gentle pressure and some Quik Stop powder or plain cornstarch should stop it. Clean daily with a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. A dab of a triple antibiotic may be applied if necessary. Monitor for redness, swelling or lethargy. If she won't allow you to clip the nail, she may need to be seen by your veterinarian. Clip the other nails a bit to prevent snagging.

Hello. The nail has indeed split & what you are seeing is the fleshy quick of the nail. My remedy is to snip off the hanging part of the nail & bandage the foot for a few days to protect the sensitive quick until it begins to heal. Your veterinarian can do this quickly & efficiently & Tiny will feeling much better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.