Broken dew claw

Hi my dog broke his dew claw last Saturday. It’s down to the wick. It’s red and he keeps licking it. I’ve had a bandage with a dressing on his claw since he did it but on checking it tonight I’m not sure if it’s healing ok. I’m wondering if there is any cream or anything else I can do to help it heel? I’ve included a picture off his claw to see it.

Hello - and no wonder your dog is licking at this.  The claw is the equivalent of your finger nail and we all know how irritating it is when even those little strips of skin at the sides of the nail bed peel back.  This picture is blurred and I can't see the position of the nail or its bed, but from what you say it must be sore and sensitive. Licking is a sign of pain and looks to be damaging the skin - it may also have introduced infection.  Preventing the licking and not treating any pain or infection, may be unlikely to solve the problem.  The sore area may be spreading outwards. This may need antibiosis to help it heal and real and effective pain relief, as well as either a covering or a buster collar (your vet will examine the area and weigh the situation up depending on the specifics - air to the wound can be helpful - and help you to decide). I know that it only seems a small thing, but these can quickly become a much bigger thing if unchecked and asking your vet for advice really will prove the best next step. In rare circumstances I have also seen other diseases, including various cancers, present like this, so it is a good idea to get to the bottom of it sooner rather than later, just in case.

Hi thank you for getting back to me. I’ve been giving him pain relief for the pain as I know myself it’s horrible having a hang nail on your own nail beds. I’ve actually made him an appointment with my vets I didn’t want it to get any worse. I did clean the nail last night with salted water and redressed it with clean bandages but I do think he may need antibiotics to kill anything that may have got into it. thank you so much for your advice .

That's good news - please let me know how you get on.