Last week, my springer took off (like the well trained gundog he is!) like a bat out of hell from the car after friends he recognised.  He hurt his foot somehow but it didn't last long or cause him any due concern - there was nothing to be seen although his toe looked a bit swollen.  Then a few days later my youngest son was in the middle of the maize with him and trod on his toe causing a dramatic cry and scene!  Once again, soon forgotten.

Today we've been out with friends all day on the common with a whole host of dogs and children, too numerous to count.  A good time was had by all.  He's now limping and further inspection has revealed a sore nail which looks like it's been partly ripped from the nail bed.  It's obviously uncomfortable and he won't leave it alone (doesn't stop him jumping up when he hears the biscuit tin).  It's also a bit weepy (clear.  Other than bathing in salt water, does anyone have any suggestions?

Keep bathing it, and if it's no better by Thursday at the latest have it checked out by the vet. You don't want infection to set in, so antibiotics sooner rather than later may be called for.

My Harry damaged a nail like that, got a stubborn infection in the nailbed and ended up having the toe amputated.

Hi jackyjat,

ditto what JG says - my friend's dog had a toe amputated because of an infection that developed rapidly after a nail was torn.

Equally, one of mine had a similar sounding injury to yours and our vet cajoled them into letting him cut the nail off to the tear (I was amazed ;) ) and with repeated bathing by us after that it healed over very quickly - so it's not always a bad outcome but best to be on the ball with it.

Good luck, Teri :)

Yes, the vet tried cutting the entire nail off (under GA, of course) before being forced to remove the toe completely.

Yuk!  Thanks for the warning.  I will keep a close eye on it and bathe regularly meanwhile.