Dougie has been licking his foot loads this morning, not something he usually does so had a look and seems to have broken a nail. Asked son to pop home on his break as he has used clippers in the past but I am too scared. Cant see any blood but must be irritating him as keeps licking it. What should I do help

kiva snapped one of her nails off when she was about 10 weeks old it was quite close to the nerve but it wasnt bleeding. i panicked a bit and took her to vets where he pulled the nail that was still attached off, and told me she would be fine ha ha
she was, licked it a few times but it grew back and never gave her any bother, so i wouldnt worry too much

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phew thank you, its still part attached so will get my son to cut it when he comes home

If he has broken it below the quick then there shouldnt/wouldnt be any blood, it might just be irritating him in which case nipping it off may do the trick. If they break it on or above the quick you do usually get bleeding and its usually painful and they are often really touchy about you going near it. Some dogs seem to have lower quicks then others.

One thing you may have to watch is that it isnt split the length of the nail rather then width,or too far up, you can get a nail bed infection, so then he may need anti biotics.

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Thats what I was worrying about, hard to tell with him becaue his nails are black. Will have a good look once its been clipped off - well will get son to it makes me go all wibbly in case I hurt him

If you can get him to put his foot and soak it for a minute or two in cooled boiled salt water (tall order I know) two or three times a day especially after a walk then that certainly wont do any harm, it will keep it clean and draw out anything. Even dipping it in and giving it a swoosh about will be better then nothing.

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I would check before you go anywhere near with clippers. You could make it much worse

If the dog is distressed by the nail take a very close look (magnifying glass) for signs of infection (foreign bodies, redness, pus) around the nail bed. trimming fur may help you here.

Careful use of super-glue can help with split nails, it's something we keep in the doggie first-aid kit.

Look for swelling on he affected paw compared to the other also if the paw is warm to the touch suggesting an infection. You might take the dog's temperature and compare it to the normal body temperature that you have written down in your dog's medical file/note book.

Assuming that you regularly inspect your dog's paws the dog will be used to you carrying out such inspections and not offer any resistance or fuss. For those readers that don't inspect your dog's nails - when you do have to your dog will likely react with reluctance. What you do every day becomes normal for the dog so it is not an issue when you have to do so for medical reasons.

Chickened out/paniced whatever lol & took him to the vets as it wasn't looking right at all with him keep licking at it. He had ripped the dew claw and by time got to the vets it was facing the wrong way yuk, she took it off in a few seconds.

They gave me some free samples of their raw mince mixes while I was there as well - don't usually buy minces but if he likes them will be easier for when he's at my parents. Is that a one off, wondered if anyone elses vet sold raw!