Dog Nail Bed Infection Home Treatment
Generally, Dog nail bed problems or Nail disorders can be seen as any form of disease-condition that affects the periphery of the nail (claw) or the nail itself and they are termed dystrophy.
One of such Canine Nail Problem that can affect and frustrate most dogs is a nail bed infection. It can cause your dog so much pain and make him refuse to walk.
Nail Bed Infection usually referred to as paronychia, is a type of infection that leads to inflammation of dog nails, claws or the surrounding.
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that also occurs around the nail bed or the nail itself. Nail infections are painful, disgusting, smelly, and can even cause a change in nail color such as Dog Nails Turning Black.
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I must say that I am one of those who believes in preventing a case than running around much later for remedies. Therefore, it is your primary duty as a dog owner to maintain proper nail hygiene and regular clean up to keep any infections away from your pet.
However, if your dog has a nail bed infection, don't panic this article will teach you how to deal with it permanently.
How Can I Treat Dog Nail Bed Infection At Home?
It is possible for pet owners to successfully treat mild Canine nail bed disorders at home with or without the help of a vet except in severe cases. But if you must do this, then you've got to know the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dog Nail Bed Infection?
No matter how dogs try to hide their feelings and pain, suffering dogs will still show certain unusual signs, behaviors, and symptoms that can be a tip-off to being infected with Bacterial Nail Bed Disease.
Be watchful not to ignore even the slightest symptom as early diagnosis and intervention is the key to fast relief and permanent cure to nail bed disorders (Fungal Canine nail infection, Bacteria Dog nail infection).
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Common Canine Nail Bed Infection Symptoms & Signs Include:
-
- Your Dog will always lick the affected area.
- Swelling of the nail bed/nails
- Painful Toenails and foot
- Your dog will find it difficult to walk.
- Tenderness around the infected part.
- Smelly (Disgusting) nails
- Abnormal color changes
- Skin rashes around the claws
- Nail Brittleness
- Pus collections in the affected region.
- Redness
Note: As a Dog handler do not ignore or take lightly any tiny symptom of canine claw or nail disorders as it may be the result of fungal disease or even cancer. So whenever you notice any small change or symptom, take quick action to help your pet out on time.
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What Are The Causes Of Dog Nail Bed Infection?
There are many causes of canine nail bed infection or disease. But a majority of the cases of single nail bed diseases have been associated with Injuries, Trauma, Cutting the Quick, postoperative complications which are likely to become more dangerous if left untreated.
Simple cases of nail bed infection caused by an injured or cracked nail that gets exposed to dirt and other bacterias can be avoided by applying first aid and cleaning the affected area from time to time. Failure to do so can increase the chances of getting a severe infection.
Causes Of Dog Nail Bed Diseases Includes:
- Bacterial or fungal infection (fungi such as Dermatophytes, Malassezia, cryptococcosis blastomycosis & sporotrichosis).
- Trauma, injuries, open wound or cut.
- Congenital anomalies (Birth Disorders)
- Neoplasm, Cancer/Tumor
- Increased growth hormone
- Weakness of the immune system.
- Dog Breed Vulnerability
Certain canine breeds are known to be vulnerable to nail or claw-related disorders.
For example Breeds such as Rottweilers, Siberian Huskies, German shepherds, English springer spaniels, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and whippets, cocker spaniels are susceptible to claw disease such as nail deformation that may cause other infections.
Dachshunds are prone to brittle nails (onychorrhexis), an abnormality that causes the nails to break up easily. Owners of this breed have to monitor their dogs closely for possible nail infection.
What Are The Risk Factors Associated With Canine Nail Bed Infection?
These are possible factors that can increase the risk of getting nail diseases: Trauma, open wound or injury to the nail, nail cutting, grinding, trimming, or dog living in a dirty environment.
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How Can I Diagnose Dog Nail Bed Infection?
If trauma to your dog's nail occurs, it is advisable to ascertain if it extends to the nail bed, you have to also check if one nail or many nails are being affected which may indicate a more serious issue.
Some of the signs to look out for are when you are diagnosing canine nail infections are; One or more thickened or swollen nail bed, generalized dog paw pain, foot.
Dog limping, injuries to the nail, regular paw licking, smelly discharge from the nail, discolored and brittle nail.
A vet who is examining your dog's nail might need to do some skin scraping to ascertain what type of nail condition is affecting your dog.
He may also order for fungal or bacterial culture for detailed analysis.
How Can I Treat Dog Nail Bed Infection?
There are many cure and remedies available that can help you treat dog nail disease and one of such is the Home Treatments For Dog Nail Bed Infection.
Generally, the treatment for claw infection depends on the cause of the disorder. It is advisable to first conduct a physical check on your dog, do some culture for better diagnosis.
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From the findings, you should be able to decide the best treatment for your pet. Usually, the vet will administer some antifungal, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs to cure nail bed disorders.
There are also creams, oils and medicated bandages the vets use to treat nail fungal infection.
In most severe cases, the vet prefers the option of removing the nail plate totally or partially as the best treatment.
If the vets find out that your dog has tumor or cancer, then the best and complete cure is to remove the affected nail or toe, in severe stages chemotherapy can be of help.
Home Treatment For Canine Nail Bed Infection.
Warm Soaks: Once you notice any sign of redness around the nail, quickly soak the affected toenail or claws into a mixture of 50 percent warm water and 50 percent of antibacterial liquid soap, leave it for about 15 minutes, do this at least three to four times daily. This should resolve mild cases of nail bed infection.
Most owners have confirmed washing their dog’s feet, nails and paws with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Vinegar is an organic or natural antiseptic and is an active natural home remedy to kill bacterias and any possible fungal infection.
Remember to keep the affected paw as dry as possible, keep it clean of debris and specks of dirt, this will enable your dog to heal fastly.
Home Cure For bacterial nail bed infection: May involve taking some prescription from your vet which you will apply when you get home. Your vet may prescribe some antibiotics, antimicrobial foot soaks and topical ointments.
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Fungal Nail Bed Infections are cured with long-term antifungal therapy, followed by frequent nail trimmings and proper nail hygiene.
But remember that it is important to speak to your vet before you treat your dog from home.
How Can I Prevent My Dog From Nail Bed Infections?
One of the best ways to prevent infections of the nail, claw, or paw is to avoid the risk factors. Regular cleaning of your dog's nail, avoid cutting too close to the nail bed and to the quick when trimming.
Is Your Dog Nervous? Watch How To Trim Claws And Avoid Nail Bed Injuries.
Do not inflict injuries to your dog's nail to prevent bleeding which might give room for bacterial infection and if you mistakenly cut the nail bed, kindly apply first aid, clean up and protect the affected area.
Practices Proper Nail Hygiene, nail trimming and also ensure that your dog lives in a clean environment.
What Are The Antibiotics For Dog Nail Bed Infection?
For Humans, treatment of paronychia, if diagnosed very early is nonsurgical. such as using warm soaks 3-4 times daily and the use of some antibiotics as the doctor may prescribe.
Humans with a history of peripheral vascular disease or who are immunocompromised or diabetic may use a short course of antibiotics such as the first-generation cephalosporin or antistaphylococcal penicillin is generally effective; clindamycin and amoxicillin-clavulanate are also useful.
Antibiotics For Fungal claw diseases
Except Malassezia most fungal claw infections are meant to be treated aggressively with systemic antifungal therapy such as Itraconazole and terbinafine.
Cost Of Treatment For Dog Nail Bed Infection
It's a fact to say you can't own a pet_Dog if you don't want to spend. And if you must own one you should be prepared to put in some level of financial commitment.
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At one point to another, every dog owner should expect to spend on vaccinations, grooming, and training.
Health or Medical costs are most like considered the most expensive. An average visit to a vet can amount to a range say between $50-$400, depending on the medical condition.
However, nail bed infection treatment costs should not be much and can even cost you nothing if you can handle it by yourself at home, except in severe cases where you need a trained professional to handle your pet.
If you have a dog with a severe case of infection, broken dewclaw that requires surgery or Dog nail Removal Surgery then you should be preparing for nothing less than 70$ or more.
General anesthetic makes the procedure more expensive, depending on the vet and the location.
Commonly Prescribed Antibiotics For Dog Claw Infection.
Infections of the nailbed can put your dog through severe pain and a whole lot of discomforts and if it is not treated, they can become life-threatening.
However, the first step your vet should take is to diagnose your dog with a claw infection, and then go ahead to make prescriptions of antibiotics for about four to six weeks to ensure the infection has resolved.
Below are common and effective antibiotics that can be given to our dogs based on a vet's prescription.
They are:
1.Amoxicillin.
2.Cephalexin.
3.Clindamycin.
4.Gentamicin.
5.Chloramphenicol.
6.Doxycycline.
7.Metronidazole.
8.Sulfadimethoxine.
9.Clindamycin.
Dog Nail Bed Infection Photos
Dog nail bed Infections are dangerous to dogs just the way they are for humans. But the good news is, antibiotics can be used to treat the infection and bring back your dog to normal.
These images for dog nail bed infections are selected and provided for educational purposes. They are intended to show likely signs you should watch out for if you suspected your dog's nail bed is infected.
Some of the pictures of dog nailbed infection will provide information of the possible cause of the infection, so sit back let's watch some photos together.
Dog Nail bed Infection Picture 1
This photo shows a dog biting, licking, and pulling his nails as a result of an infected nail bed infection.
One of the signs of nailbed infection you should watch (Constant Paw licking)for as seen in the photo if you suspect your pet is infected.
Dog Nail bed Infection Picture 2
The photo below demonstrates an infected nail bed resulting from an injury. Secondary nail bed infection can occur if your pet's nail is injured and the correct treatment is done.
Dog Nail bed Infection Picture 3
This photo of nail bed infection above shows dog's reddish and swollen paw after slight injury to the nail bed caused by burrowing of a grass seed into the nail.
Infection sets in after a week of severe pain and irritation before the owner was able to find out, it was an infected paw.