Nail cut too deep

[Chuy's dad]

OK, I am a bad man. I was cutting Chuy's nails, and I don't know how I did it, but I went too deep on one. The problem is, I only cut it part way off, and so the nail is somewhat attached, and it bled just a bit.

What should I do at this point ? Do I leave it to let it heal on it's own ?

[golden&hovawart]

I think I would finish to cut the nail evenif it's going to bleed cos he could hurt himself even more.He could tear it totally off and then you'll need the vet.Don't feel bad,I did it,not that long ago.L

[skunkstripe]

Yes I sometimes miss and it seems to bleed forever! Fortunately there is no permanent damage done.

[Borzoi mad]

I used to always keep a styptic pencil and use it to stop the bleeding.

[vagreys]

A partially attached piece of nail can snag and create a much worse problem, so I would finish cutting the nail. A styptic pencil, styptic powder, or a little flour (in a pinch) will stop the bleeding. It is so easy to quick a nail. One reason I like the dremel is that I don't seem to quick the nails anywhere near as much as with the clippers.

[MyDogShelby]

We use a product, I believe is called Quick Stop, we put that on Shelby's nails if they bleed. It is a yellow powder substance, they sell it at all the pet supply stores by the grooming supplies. We've used it on all our dogs.

[Yellow Dog]

MyDogShelby is right. I use this on my pups on the rare occation that they bleed!

[golden-lover]

My dad did this on our golden as a puppy. He cut all the way into the vein though, and our floor got covered with blood. Just cut it the rest off, if it didn't bleed much halfway, it's probably not going to be that bad.

After the incident with out golden I just walk them on the road to wear their nails down. Cats may be easy, but I can't imagie making a mistake on a black nail of a dog again :x

[vagreys]

...After the incident with out golden I just walk them on the road to wear their nails down. Cats may be easy, but I can't imagie making a mistake on a black nail of a dog again :x
There is a technique for figuring out where the quick begins on a dark nail. I think it will require a pic to describe, and my poor old camera may not be up to the task. Also, I don't know if this applies to breeds other than Greyhounds. I didn't learn about it until after I was finished with Weims.

Anyway, there is a v-shaped groove that starts at the tip of the nail, on the bottom side of the nail, and narrows to a point part way up the nail. Where the groove ends is where the quick begins. You can safely trim up to that point, at least on a Grey.

[City girl]

It's just like having bandaids around for your kids, quick stop is an excellent product.

[City girl]

OK, I am a bad man. I was cutting Chuy's nails, and I don't know how I did it, but I went too deep on one. The problem is, I only cut it part way off, and so the nail is somewhat attached, and it bled just a bit.

What should I do at this point ? Do I leave it to let it heal on it's own ?
Don't feel bad, we all have done the same thing, it's ok:)

[MyDogShelby]

There is a technique for figuring out where the quick begins on a dark nail.

Anyway, there is a v-shaped groove that starts at the tip of the nail, on the bottom side of the nail, and narrows to a point part way up the nail. Where the groove ends is where the quick begins. You can safely trim up to that point, at least on a Grey.

Shelby has pure black nails, but they bleed very easily. Unlike the Cocker Spaniel I had when I was a child, hers never bled. That is a good explanation vagreys about finding the quick, I will have to take a look at Shelby's nails later.

[lassie]

i get a pot of potasium mangnate from the chemist and dip the nail in it. It stops the bleeding immeadiatly. and its cheap to buy.

[Chuy's dad]

Thanks everyone. I guess I will have to just go ahead and finish it tonight when I get home. Or maybe I should ask my wife to do it now since she is at home :)

[lassie]

oh how i hate black nails.

[City girl]

Yeah, I hear you, kip has black nails and i will cut them this weekend. It's extremely hard to see the vein. I'll just use my safety guard.

[brunosmom]

Tom, flour is a good thing to use in a pinch...I too have used it when I've "lost" or can't find the "Quick Stop" pens and it worked...I'll have to look for the v-shaped grove....what am I saying....Bruno has black nails...I'm not gonna see anything!!!!:(

[vagreys]

...I'll have to look for the v-shaped grove....what am I saying....Bruno has black nails...I'm not gonna see anything!!!!:(
No, you can see the groove and feel it, even on black nails. I just don't know if it is peculiar to Greys or not.

[brunosmom]

I'll have a look....

[brunosmom]

I can't see it....funny thing is Bruno has 2 colors on his nails....weird...the top 1/2 is black and the bottom 1/2 is brown....

[skunkstripe]

Someone went to a lot of trouble describing how to trim nails in this article:
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/grooming.html
But I STILL mess up with Sophia's nails and they aren't even black!

[lassie]

oh i bet youre not that bad SK. i still manage to make the odd one bleed and i hate myself for doing it.