Blood And Nails - Danger Signs

[Spikie]

Hi all

So the inevitable has happened and my pure black piggy Wensleydale was dripping blood all over us. I had corn starch on the wound within 60 seconds, but he kept dripping. He now has a whole field of corn starch on his foot and after a bit I put him on the floor and, aside from a bloody paw print or 2, he is walking round normally.

I know these things happen and I'm now calmer (so much blood, and he's so small), plus the bleeding has stopped and he is perfectly happy, so I'll assume crisis averted.

But going forward, what should I watch out for? I'd imagine if he starts shifting weight off the foot or squealing when it us touched or running odd then I need to take him to a vet, but are there any other signs to watch for (I can't tell if his foot goes green given he is pure black)?

Going forward he will just have to have longer nails!

 

[helen105281]

Oh dear, this has happened to all of us and they bleed so much when it happens. Don't panic though. As long as it has stopped bleeding and he is walking ok then there is nothing to worry about.

 

[Wiebke]

Been there, have that t-shirt! It happens to everybody sooner and later.

You need to see a vet if a nail doesn't stop bleeding or if it bleeding heavily for a long time; thankfully, most nail bleeds stop after about 5 minutes or so. Once the initial pain is over, the piggy is not affected - unlike you!

It may be a good idea to disinfect the area a bit later, but an infection is much less likely after some vigorous bleeding. If you don't have hibiscrub at home, you can always make your own saline solution by mixing in 1 teaspoon of salt into 1 pint of boiled, cooled water.

 

[VickiA]

As @helen105281 says it's happened to all of us. Apart from being anxious at the next nail clip no harm has ever come to one of my fur babies. He will forgive you soon enough.