If your dog has too long nails, they are prone to get several nail diseases, including nail bed infection, Tumor or cancer, fungal nail disorders, and many more. In such cases, the most accurate treatment recommended by the vets is Dog nail removal surgery. However, some owners consider removing their dog’s too-long nails through surgery as it gets tough to get rid of them manually because too-long nails get too sensitive. Are you curious about how dog nails too long surgery is held, and what precautions should we take? Then you are at the right place.
Here, you will found out everything you need to know about dog nails too long surgery. Let us get started!
Understanding of Dog nails:
We know that our significant concern here is dog nails too long surgery, but we will tell you some minor details about the dog nails and what happens when they get too long. This information will help you understand the concept of dog nails too long surgery. Also, it will help you in getting sufficient knowledge and awareness about how to maintain the excellent health of the dog’s nails so that there is no need to get surgical treatment.
Many people predict that comprehending the dog’s nail structure is quite challenging. If you are one of those people, we bet you’re wrong. All you need is to explain all of this readily so, don’t worry, we are here for you.
Why is there a need to cut long nails surgically?
The dog’s outgrown nails are not the only thing present in its paws, but several ligaments and smaller bones make them sensitive. When you touch the dog’s paws and grip them firmly to cut the dog’s too many long nails, they may feel some pain. Hence, vets recommend removing them surgically instead of cutting them as it is a delicate task. For instance, if your dog tries to run or move forcefully due to fear or anxiety, the toenail clipper can reach the quick, and the nail will start to bleed. To avoid such cases, we recommended opting for dog nails for too long surgery.
Secondly, when the nails are too long, they get usually get curved from the edge. The too-long nails start to make clicking sounds whenever the dog moves. Also, the dog performs multiple functions, including digging, gripping, and balancing with the help of these long nails, but they are not suitable for the dog’s hygiene; hence, it is essential to cut them.
What happens if the dog’s too-long nails aren’t cut on time?
First of all, it is imperative to maintain your dog’s hygiene to prevent it from various diseases. Cutting nails is the central part of the dog’s hygiene; hence, the owner should cut the dog’s nails once a week. If no, then the nails keep getting longer and lead to various disorders. It could make the vet remove the entire nail surgically to keep the dog healthy and safe.
What are the indications that the dog’s nails are too long and they need surgery?
The most apparent indication of the dog’s nails getting too long is that they produce a clicking sound on the floor when it walks. Also, they make the dog uneasy and cause difficulty in moving. Too long nails can lead to several problems, which are as follows:
- it can cause skeletal abnormalities
- Uncomfortable and discomfort dog
- Dogs cannot control themselves on hard and slippery surfaces
- Dogs get fear from walking
- Irregular way of walking
- Can cause infection, bleeding, and pain in the paws
- High risk of nail fracture
Canine Nail Removal Surgery:
If a specific part of a dog’s toenail is removed, or even the whole part, it refers to Canine Nail Removal Surgery. Local anesthesia is used during the surgery so that the dog may not interrupt due to fear or anxiety; also, it may not have to experience pain.
When the nails are too long, they start to get painful and tender. To cut these nails becomes a challenging task for the owners and groomers; hence, surgery is the best option. Well, if you do not want your dog to face it, then prevent all the common nail pathologies by trimming and cleaning the nails regularly.
From what conditions does Nail removal surgery prevents the dog?
When a vet recommends nail removal surgery, it means this is the last option, and the condition can get critical if it doesn’t happen. Why is that so? Nail removal surgery is the best solution for long nails, as they can be cut and prevent your dog from several chronic disorders, including:
- Cancer
- Trauma
- Nail deformities
- Bleeding toenails
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Damaged or broken toenail
- Extreme pain
- Trauma
We know that deciding to opt for Nail removal surgery is difficult, but if your dog’s nails are too long and you want to prevent any of the conditions mentioned above, this surgery is the best option for your dog. All other remedies are either risky or can fail due to complex handling.
How much time does it take to perform dog Nail Removal Surgery?
Nail removal surgery is not a lengthy procedure, but it depends on the dog’s nails condition. If only your dog’s nails are long and you want them to be cut, it is quite a short procedure. But if the dogs have any infection or disorder due to such long nails, the procedure can get long. However, it is a painless procedure when local anesthesia is injected into the dog’s paws.
By whom is the Nail Removal Surgery performed On Dogs?
A veterinary surgeon performs nail removal surgery on dogs when their nails get too long. The vet’s colleagues or assistants help him to get the procedure done conveniently. Well, these helpers inject the anesthesia carefully in the dog’s paws, but there can still be some side effects in few cases. These possible side effects include:
- Hypotension
- Shortness of breath
- Nervousness
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
Types of Canine Nail Surgery:
Nail surgery of dogs is divided into two kinds; Partial and complete, but which one will your dog get? We know you’re curious about it, right? Well, it all depends on the condition of your dog’s nails. If your dog has long nails which are difficult to cut, but the nails are not damaged, then your dog will undergo partial dog nail removal surgery but, in case of disordered long nails, the vet will recommend complete dog nail removal surgery.
For this, the vet will keenly observe the dog nails’ health and see if he can solve the problem without surgery. If there is no way, then he will decide between partial and complete surgery. Let us quickly overview these types.
Partial Nail Removal:
As the name refers, partial nail removal means removing only a part of the nail but not the entire nail from the nail bed. If your dog only has too long a nail, and minor or no infection, this method is recommended. In this procedure, only a part is stripped off. But after the surgery, proper care is taken to avoid any complications. Also, pain relievers are given as surgery can be painful after some time, whether partial or complete.
Complete Nail Removal:
After complete nail removal surgery, the owner has to visit the vet for regular checkups to heal the nails properly. If the too-long nail has developed any infection or complication in it, the vet must eradicate the dog’s nail, including the quick. Only the nail bed is left behind, which heals fast.
Benefits of nail removal surgery:
We know that the most crucial benefit of nail removal surgery is that your dog’s nails get trimmed without any risk of being damaged. But besides this, some other benefits are essential for a dog’s health. Let us discuss them!
- Time-saving and safe method
- Affordable costs of surgery make it convenient for all the owners
- Prevents further nail complications
- Solves the frequent nail problems along with the nail trimming
- Deal with the cause of infection
- Painless method
- Permanent treatment for the nails
What happens after the dog nail removal surgery?
Many owners get worried when their dog doesn’t feel any pain after the nail removal surgery. Is it right? You bet! For all those people, t is quite normal and safe if the dog doesn’t feel any pain. The local anesthesia has some of its effects on the dog after 2 to 3 hours of the surgery. After that, your dog may start to get a little pain, as the quick is seared in the surgery. It is vital to make your dog administrate some pain-relieving drugs prescribed by the vet to prevent pain so that the pup may take complete rest for almost 2 to 3 days.
What should we follow care methods after the surgery?
If the dog’s surgery goes successful, it doesn’t mean that your dog is entirely safe now. Any carelessness after the surgery can lead to further complications, which can become a headache if not taken care of. So, proper attention is essential to the dog’s health and hygiene after the surgery for complete recovery.
Take your dog to the vet for the dressing and checking of the dog’s paw. The cleaning of the wound is a part of hygiene, but it prevents the dog from multiple infections.
Don’t ever forget to give the prescribed medicines or put on the ointments.
Look out for the following symptoms and if you trigger any of them, reach the vet immediately.
- Bleeding
- Pain and swelling
- Redness or itching
- Excessive discharging of fluids
- Pus collection
Care by yourself:
When the vet undresses your dog’s paws, it means now you have to take its care at home. Looking for some wise tips? Keep reading! But do not redress the dog’s paws yourself. Please wait for the vet’s appointment, and then go for it.
Following care tips will help you to do so:
- Before starting the procedure, do not forget to wash your hands as it prevents the transfer of germs.
- Use clean utensils or bowls.
- Make sure you are using warm water instead of cold.
- Clean the bandage gently.
- Remove all the traces of debris and dirt by cleaning the paws with warm water and mild soap.
- If there is any particle stuck in the toenail, do not touch it to avoid pain. Just fill the soapy water in a syringe, and spray the water on that part.
- Use a disinfectant soap to kill bacteria.
- Prefer a loose bandage to ensure comfort instead of using a tight one.
- If the dog tends to mess with the bandage, use a plastic cone around the head.
- Do not forget to change the bandage.
- Look for any signs that can lead to infections or complications.
- Give the dog some antibiotics and painkillers by seeking help from the vet.
- Do not let your dog move freely until the paw is recovered completely.
Are there any risks of nail removal surgery?
Everything has its benefits, but any carelessness can be risky as well. So, keep the following risks in mind before taking any decision:
- It can damage nerves or Blood vessels
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Re-growing of nails
- The dog can be allergic to anesthesia
- Toe may remain numb for some hours after surgery
- Healing can be time-taking in case of complete nail removal
- Chances of infection
From where is the surgery of long nails done?
You can visit several Veterinary Hospitals for this procedure. Also, private clinics are an option, but they may charge more than hospitals.
Bottom line:
Dog nails too long surgery can be the only way to trim nails sometimes. But if you take our opinion, we think it is an unnecessary expense until the dog nail gets infected or disordered. A groomer has such skills to easily trim the nails and make them less sharp using a grinder. But anyhow, surgery is an option to cut off the long nails painlessly.
