Troy has somehow managed to rip one of his nails quite far back, beyond the quick. It was bleeding a little, but the quick as such is not really damaged. When I looked at it yesterday and wanted to cut the nail off completely to prevent further damage, I wasn't quite sure what to do. The dilemma is this: if I leave the nail on, there is a chance that he will catch it again. He also keeps licking it, so it's obviously uncomfortable. If I cut the nail off, a large part (about 3 mm) of the quick is freely exposed and I'd be worried that he damages the quick, the torn nail does offer some protection still for the quick.

So for now, I have left the nail on. But I think tonight I will cut it off and put a sock or something on that back foot to protect the quick. He hasn't been for a walk yesterday or today to prevent further damage.

What's the best thing to do in such a case?

Vera

I'd be worried to death and on the phone to the vet.

I hope he is ok...

Rob

It's not quite that bad... ;)

I'll see what it looks like tonight, you might find pictures on here of a rather unhappy pyr wearing a sock or similar... :D

I would take it off too Vera , and i would dab on some of the magic powder to stop bleeiding at least then he cant rip it any further , i hope you are going to put a nice white sock on it i am sure Troy would not be happy with a pink stripey sock it would just be cruel :D

Fiona xx

I have tried to clip the nail off, but Troy won't let me... it's too painful and he keeps kicking me. So off to the vet he goes tomorrow where they probably will have to sedate him to do it...

Vera :(

:o Poor Troy will be thinking of him today , hope he copes with the sedation ok Vera , what a worry for you (((hugs)))

Fiona xx

Troy's been to the vet. Because he (that's Troy, not the vet :P ) has actually chewed half of the nail off over night, it is much shorter now and the vet thought it was best not to do anything about it as it will heal by itself.

Troy got antibiotics and metacam (pain killer). He will get the antibiotics, but I won't bother with the metacam unless he is obviously in pain. I don't like giving metacam just for prevention... He's not limping or anything, so although it is probably uncomfortable, it is not actually that painful to warrant pain killers...

But he will be running around with a sock on his foot for a while and we will be getting him a doggie boot at the week-end to protect the paw properly when out and about...

Vera