It’s an “oh no” moment. That dreaded instant when your dog makes a yelping sound, drags his paw back, and you see blood start to spill from the nail wound- the wound that you caused. You realize a second too late that the clipper cut too low. Surprise, it has happened to the best of us!
Grooming is a necessary part of dog care, and one of its less enjoyed aspects is nail clipping. Some dog owners leave nail clipping to dog groomers, while for others, it is an opportunity to bond with their canine companions. However, sometimes nail clipping sessions go wrong, and you end up clipping your dog’s quick (quicking your dog).
The quick is the tender region of your dog’s nail that houses many blood vessels and nerves and is covered by the external nail. When the nail is cut too low, this part may be damaged, and this leads to bleeding and discomfort. After injuring your dog this way, you may find yourself asking- “Can I walk my dog after cutting his quick?”. Here is my answer to that!
Can You Walk a Dog After His Quick Has Been Clipped?
You can only walk your dog after caring for the injured nail. Depending on the extent of the cut, this could be by simply cleaning the wound, applying an antibacterial or antiseptic solution, or taking your pooch to the clinic. However, hardly anyone will cut their dog’s nail short enough to require emergency attention. But never say never, right?
If your dog is not up to the task, you should wait for a few days for his nail to heal. You should never take your dog walking with a bleeding paw. This can lead to a worse injury and the wound getting infected. You can use household methods to stop the bleeding and cover the injury with a bandage if necessary.
Nail bed injuries are not classified as emergencies in healthy dogs. As a general rule, wait for 24 to 48 hours before taking your dog on a walk. If you notice that your dog is having issues with walking or keeps licking his injured foot, he should sit out any stressful activity. If you are unsure of the state of your dog’s health, reach out to a veterinarian.
Should I Walk My Dog After Cutting the Quick?
Every dog needs exercise to stay healthy. So, of course, you should walk your pet after cutting his quick. You only have to decide when you want to take your dog on this walk. I mean, just because you can walk your dog immediately after cutting his quick doesn’t mean you should.
You should wait for one to two days after the initial injury before taking your dog on a walk. Make sure that your dog has no issues with movement and that the injury isn’t still hurting before taking him on this walk. You should also ask your vet to determine that the wound has healed enough. Do not take your pet on walks in muddy or sandy areas.
The extent of the nail injury determines when your dog will be ready for walks. My advice is not to rush your dog. If he is not comfortable with walking the day after the injury, try the next day or two days after. In a matter of days, your dog would have forgotten about his injury and be back to his walking routine.
Does It Hurt a Dog if It’s Quick Been Cut?
Yes, your dog will experience a sharp pain when his quick is cut. The quick is the soft part under the hard keratin that makes the outer part of the nail. The quick houses both blood vessels and nerves. When it is cut, the severed blood vessels cause bleeding, and the nerves send a pain signal.
Once the quick is cut while nail trimming, you will notice. Apart from the bleeding, your dog will attempt to pull his paw away and may even yelp or cry out in pain. The more of the nail quick that is damaged, the more nerves that are damaged. This means that the level of pain your dog will feel depends on the extent of the quick that you have cut.
In some cases, dogs may become aggressive when the quick is cut. Your dog could lash out at you in an attempt to escape the traumatic situation. Although this situation is traumatic for you (especially if your dog is bleeding excessively), it is more traumatic for him. You might need to get analgesic pills (pain medication) for your dog to help him through the stressful situation.
How Long Does It Take for A Dog’s Quick to Heal?
It can take anything from days to weeks for your dog’s quick to heal. If the nail injury is mild, your dog could be prancing around in a few hours. Generally, it should take about 48 hours for the soreness of the cut to reduce. It will take more time for the nail to grow and completely recover.
Normally, the bleeding should subside in a matter of minutes. The normal clotting time for dogs is sixty to one hundred and twenty seconds (60– 120s). If the injury bleeds for more than 3 to 5 minutes, you can try home remedies to aid the cut. With the use of home remedies like corn starch, soap, a styptic pencil, and others, the bleeding will let up.
If the bleeding is excessive, you may need to call your vet just to be on the safe side. Your vet will work with you to determine the right treatment option for the injury. In most cases, you will get words of encouragement and painkillers, and the wound will be bandaged up. Prevent your dog from chewing and licking the injured nail, as this can cause an infection.
When Do I Know When My Dogs Healed Enough to Walk?
As mentioned above, once the nail isn’t bleeding and it looks dry, chances are the injury has healed to a reasonable extent. Also, your dog should have no issues with walking and show no signs of discomfort. If you are still unsure about the state of the injury after a few weeks, reach out to your vet. Remember that quicking your dog is not considered an emergency unless he has a clotting disorder.
If you had to bandage up the injury, you should only consider taking your pet on a walk after the bandage is taken off. As soon as the bandage is removed and your vet gives you the go-ahead, your dog can get his required exercise. Remember, regular exercise is required for dogs to keep them healthy.
If the nail is discolored, secreting fluid or pus, has a bad odor, or shows any sign of irritation, avoid walks. Instead, take your pet to the clinic and have the nail checked out. Although it is a rarity, quicked nails can become infected and lead to bigger issues like lameness if it is not cared for properly.
How Do I Safely Walk My Dog After Their Quick Has Been Clipped?
I understand that cutting your dog’s quick can be a traumatic event for you and your pet. You may even be scared to take your dog on a walk after. That is okay- the first walk should be done slowly, and you should monitor your pet’s movement. Remember to walk your dog in dry areas to limit the chance of nail infection.
A dog with a quicked nail should never be rushed. Every pet is peculiar, and each dog’s rate of recovery is different. Apart from physical trauma, your pet may be anxious immediately after the injury. So, if you take your dog out on a walk immediately after the nail injury, he may be uneasy or unwilling to socialize.
The first walk should be a short one. Use this time to observe your dog’s response to walking and look out for signs of discomfort, pain, and any significant change. No one can tell you when to take your pet on his first walk after the incident. That is one decision that you and your vet will make.
Conclusion
No one like to see their pet bleed. It makes you feel even worse when you feel that you are the cause of your dog’s pain. However, accidents happen. If you have cut your dog’s quick by mistake, there is no reason to fear. Reach out to your vet, apply home strategies to stop the bleeding, and soon you will be walking your dog after cutting his quick.
