The quick part is the soft part inside a dog's nail that contains nerves and blood vessels. If you cut this part, your dog will be in pain, and because of the veins in the quick, it will start to bleed. If this happens, don't panic. There are four main options for stopping bleeding on a quick: using alum bars, bar soap, potassium permanganate, or, in an emergency, you can take your dog to the vet. The following offers instructions for how to proceed with each.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Alum Rods
Step 1. Gather equipment
If you are using alum sticks, you will need it along with water as a moisturizer.
- Alum stems are easy to obtain and contain astringent substances that stimulate the contraction of blood vessels, so that bleeding can stop.
- Alum rods are available at most pharmacies.
Step 2. Stay calm
We hope you have anticipated this scenario beforehand. If you accidentally cut off a quick part of a dog, prepare the materials you've gathered beforehand.
- Bleeding that occurs as a result of an injured quick is harmless to a healthy dog. However, bloody nails can look worrying, especially if the dog is constantly moving and spreading the blood on the floor. Be aware that she's not actually in a life-threatening condition, but you still need to act quickly to minimize the pain.
- Remember that staying calm is important to both you and your dog. The quick is soft and filled with nerves, so cutting it off will hurt your dog and he will be confused about how to respond to this pain. If you panic or worry then your dog will feel the same way.
Step 3. Stop the bleeding
This quick is located in the center of the nail, and you will see blood coming out of this area.
- Take the alum stem and remove it from the wrapper.
- Moisten the ends of the alum stems that are in an open state.
Step 4. Use alum rods
Keep the bleeding finger steady and gently hold your dog still while you use the alum rod to treat the wound.
Step 5. Touch the alum stick directly to the bleeding finger and press it firmly
Keep the alum stick on the area for at least 2 minutes and then remove it
Step 6. Repeat
If the bleeding has not stopped, repeat the above process, but keep the alum stem on the injured area for 5 minutes.
The bleeding should stop after you hold the alum stick against the wound for five minutes. If the bleeding still doesn't stop, call your vet and ask him if you should take your dog for treatment or not
Method 2 of 4: Using a Bar of Soap
Step 1. Gather your gear
If you use this method, you only need to prepare a bar of soap.
A regular bar of soap will form a film that covers the quick when pressed against the dog's paws. It's like a cork on a wine bottle. This cover will go away on its own a few hours later and does not require further attention
Step 2. Maintain your composure
Be prepared for this situation so that you can use the materials you have prepared to stop the bleeding.
- A healthy dog is not at risk of bleeding when bleeding occurs, but this blood can be a concern for your dog. Know that your dog is not in danger, but that you must act quickly to minimize the pain.
- Keeping calm is important to both you and your dog. If you accidentally cut off a dog's quick, it will stress and look to you to see how it should react. If you're also panicking or shocked, then chances are he'll feel the same way.
Step 3. Place the bleeding nail at a 90 degree angle to the dry soap
Hold your dog still while you do this.
Press firmly enough that the nail is immersed in the soap, to a depth of about 3-4 millimeters
Step 4. Keep the dog's paws in this position for 3-4 minutes
This ensures that there is gentle pressure on the blood vessels so that the bleeding stops.
- Remove the dog's toes from the soap after you have immersed them for 3-4 minutes. Remove it by twisting it slowly and carefully.
- If your dog won't stay still, press his nails firmly into the soap and then remove the soap in a twisting motion from your wrist.
Step 5. Repeat
If no coating has formed on the dog's nails, repeat the above process. Press the dog's nails into the soap until you have managed to form a layer.
- You'll know a layer is forming if you can see some of the soap is blocking the tip of the nail and no more blood is coming out.
- If the bleeding doesn't stop, call your vet.
Method 3 of 4: Using Potassium Permanganate
Step 1. Gather your gear
If you use this method, you will need potassium permanganate crystals, a cotton swab, and a little water to moisten the swab.
- Potassium permanganate is a powder made of bright purple crystals and is a favorite way for veterinarians to stop bleeding in animal nails.
- Potassium is very effective and permanganate is a natural disinfectant.
- Potassium permanganate crystals can be purchased at retail sites on the internet.
Step 2. Stay calm
You should have anticipated this scenario and be able to use the ingredients you have prepared to calmly stop the bleeding.
- Bleeding that occurs as a result of an injured hoof is harmless to a healthy dog. However, bleeding nails can be a little dramatic, especially if the dog is running around and spreading the blood on the floor. Know that he is not in danger of losing his life, but that you still need to act quickly to ease the pain.
- Remember that staying calm is important to both you and your dog. The quick part of dogs is soft and filled with nerves, so if this part is cut, the dog will be in pain and will look to you to find out how he should respond to this pain. If you are panicking or anxious, then he will feel the same way.
Step 3. Moisten the tip of a cotton swab with water
The cotton swab should be slightly damp so that the potassium permanganate crystals stick to it.
You don't need to soak a cotton swab. Just moisten the tip with a few drops of water
Step 4. Press the cotton swab into the bleeding and hold it in position for 30 seconds
Hold your dog so he doesn't move while you use the cotton swab.
The bleeding will stop immediately
Step 5. Repeat
If the bleeding has not stopped, repeat the above process again, this time keeping the cotton swab at the wound site for 5 minutes.
If after 5 minutes the bleeding still hasn't stopped, call your vet
Method 4 of 4: Calling the Vet
Step 1. Call your vet if the bleeding continues
If any of the methods above don't work (though it's unlikely this will happen), contact your veterinarian for advice.
If he advises you to take your dog for treatment, prepare to move your dog in peace
Step 2. Wrap your dog's paw
Dress your dog as best you can before you take your dog on a trip to the vet.
- Use the bandage from the first aid kit to temporarily cover the wound, so your dog doesn't hurt his injured nails and keeps your car clean.
- Alternatively, you can place a cotton swab or use a bandage on the wound, then cover it with a plaster so that the cotton swab/bandage doesn't move. Make sure you use sufficient force when wrapping the dog's wound so it doesn't open again. Make sure your tape is tight enough so that it can catch the dog's paw and not come off, but not so tight that it blocks blood circulation to your dog's paw. If the tape is too tight, the dog will look stressed and try to chew on the tape; if this happens, loosen the tape.
- If you don't have a first aid kit, wrap toilet paper or cotton wool around the dog's toe and tie it with a tight sock afterwards to keep the dog wound wrapper from coming off. If someone can help you, have them hold the cotton wool over the dog's nails while you're on your way to the vet.
Step 3. Ask your vet or professional groomer to trim your dog's nails
If you're having trouble doing it yourself, which may be because you're afraid of hurting your dog or he's traumatized by clipping his nails, your best option is to get a professional to do it.
- If your dog shows obvious signs of anxiety when you visit the groomer or vet, you can ask them for advice on better strategies for trimming your dog's nails at home.
- If you get into the habit of trimming your dog's nails yourself, you may be able to avoid the extra anxiety your dog may have with visits to the groomer or vet.
Tips
- If you trim your dog's nails regularly, your dog won't get hurt easily. This is because long nails make the veins grow longer too, so the possibility of these vessels being cut increases.
- When trimming your dog's nails, do it in the kitchen or bathroom. If you accidentally cut their quick and can't get a piece of cloth right away, you'll still be able to clean the blood off easily.
