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Bacterial Claw Infection in Dogs
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 07/19/2017Updated: 12/22/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What is Bacterial Claw Infection?
If your dog suffers from chronic bacterial claw infections, permanent defects to the claw can occur as well as hinder claw growth. If you do not properly treat the infection, more serious health issues such as a bone infection, or osteomyelitis, can arise. You may notice swelling in the nail bed area and pus formation when your dog is suffering from a bacterial claw infection.
Dogs of any age and breed can develop a bacterial claw infection. If you suspect your dog is suffering from an infection of their claw, make an appointment with your veterinarian and have a proper diagnosis completed. Typical treatment includes oral or topical antibiotics, as well as pain control if needed.
It is not uncommon for dogs to develop a bacterial claw infection. Often, this is considered to be a secondary problem that occurs after another condition has already developed. Trauma is the most common underlying cause of a bacterial claw infection in dogs. Other conditions or illnesses that can cause bacterial claw infections include diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, hyperthyroidism, immune mediated diseases, hypersensitivities and onychodystrophy.
Symptoms of Bacterial Claw Infection in Dogs
If you notice your dog paying extra attention to one of their feet, take a few minutes to examine the affected foot. Carefully feel along the top of the foot and then closely examine the pad and between the toes. Also be sure to look closely at the claws, or nails, for any abnormalities. Have your veterinarian thoroughly check your dog over if you think there is a possible infection.
Symptoms of a bacterial claw infection in dogs include:
- Swollen nail bed
- Pain in the foot
- Limping
- Pus coming out of the nail bed
- Discolored claw
- Soft claw
- Brittle claw
Causes of Bacterial Claw Infection in Dogs
Bacterial infection of the claw can occur when your dog has a small cut or scrape near their claw and then they walk on ground that is contaminated with bacteria. They can also get a bacterial infection from chewing at their nails and having the bacteria transfer from their mouth to their claw bed.
Keeping your dog’s feet, including their claws, clean and well trimmed to help keep them from picking up excessive bacteria and causing bacterial claw infections. If you are unsure of how to properly care for your dog’s feet and claws, speak with your veterinarian about proper foot care.
Diagnosis of Bacterial Claw Infection in Dogs
When you arrive for your veterinary appointment, you will be asked for your dog’s medical history and your veterinarian will perform a full physical examination. During the examination, your veterinarian will pay close attention to your dog’s foot pads and claws. If the initial examination shows that only one claw is affected, infection or trauma will be suspected. When more than one claw is affected, fungal disease, parasitic infections or nutritional imbalances may be suspected.
Your veterinarian might recommend additional tests to definitively diagnose a bacterial claw infection. These tests may include a complete blood count, biochemistry panel, claw bed scraping and bacterial and/or fungal culture. In more severe cases of bacterial claw infection radiographs and biopsies may be needed to determine the extent of damage caused by the bacterial infection and whether or not the infection has gone into the bone.
Treatment of Bacterial Claw Infection in Dogs
Once your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with a bacterial claw infection, they will then discuss treatment options with you. Most treatments will include topical or oral antibiotic ointments and paw soaks. Paw soaks might include chlorhexidine or Epsom salts to draw any pus and reduce inflammation while promoting healing.
If the bacterial infection has progressed beyond just the claw and claw bed, then your veterinarian will probably prescribe oral antibiotics for four to six weeks to ensure the bacterial infection has been resolved.
Be sure to keep your dog’s affected foot clean and free of dirt or debris. Your veterinarian may recommend your dog wear a waterproof bootie on the affected foot when they go outside. The bootie will keep the affected claw clean and dry.
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Recovery of Bacterial Claw Infection in Dogs
Follow dosing instructions as instructed to ensure your dog makes a full recovery from the bacterial claw infection. If you are unsure about your dog’s treatment plan, contact your veterinarian.
Proper treatment of a bacterial claw infection will enable your dog to make a full recovery. However, if your dog is prone to bacterial claw infections, you should speak with your veterinarian about ways to prevent infections from occurring.
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Bacterial Claw Infection Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
chow
Two Years
15 found this helpful
15 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
My dog has a pad injury for 6 days that I've been treating with 1x per day 500mg lupin, plus keeping it clean with wound spray/triple antibiotic ointment and wrapped with gauze. He wont use the foot, which i figured is understandable but today i noticed his nail is white and soft. I dont know if this is a normal healing process due to the trauma on his pad or if this is an indicator that he's not healing properly. I tried to get a vet appointment the first day and every vet I've called is booked 2weeks out and im becoming worried.
April 16, 2021
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
15 Recommendations
Hello this still looks infected. I would try to get him into the vet. I would continue treating with the topical medication until you can get into the vet. Paw injuries can take a long time to heal.
April 16, 2021
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Bull Terrier
Seventeen Months
26 found this helpful
26 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Broken Nail Ans Bacterial Infection
My dogs nail is split down the middle, now his paw has an infection. There is a bubble resembling a blood blister, and his paw is swollen and oozing a bit. Can it wait 4 days for his appointment or should he be seen immediately?
Dec. 30, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
26 Recommendations
This requires urgent attention so we can start pain relief, anti inflammatories and antibiotics. Delaying treatment will cause pain and may result in a more serious infection (and even a septicaemia).
Dec. 30, 2020
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Pit Bull
Eleven Years
20 found this helpful
20 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
Dual claw grew into paw pad we removed it just swollen and red have been cleaning it with antibiotic spray and hot compress
Dec. 2, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
20 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
If the lesion has not healed, she may well need a course of antibiotics prescribed by the vet.
Similarly, many dogs also benefit from pain relief and anti-inflammatories.
Do also be sure she is not licking at it, as this will delay any healing.
Don't forget to check that the other dew claw is not ingrown, and clip her claws every 6 weeks (or as often as needed) to prevent this from happening again.
Dec. 2, 2020
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Australian Shepherd
One Year
16 found this helpful
16 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
My dogs declaw is red, growing strangely and seems painful.
Nov. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
16 Recommendations
Hello, it looks like he may have torn his nail a little. This is kinda like us trimming our nails too short. You can keep this area clean with soap and water and apply Neosporin with lidocaine to help with the pain. I would also give him Benadryl. The dosage is 1mg/pound this will help decrease and swelling and help with any itching.
Nov. 29, 2020
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Chiweenie
Four Years
11 found this helpful
11 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Split Nail, Biting Nail
He seems very normal other than he
Keeps biting his paw where the nail is, the nail did break a couple days ago, could it be an infection?
Oct. 16, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
11 Recommendations
Hello, Yes it could be infected. I would reccomend that you clean this nail with soap and water and apply Neosporin to the nail. If this continues, it would be best for your vet to look at the nail and start her on oral medication to help.
Oct. 16, 2020
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Mastiff
Moody
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Puss, Toe Infection
My dog has an infection in his toe. My vet took a swab which showed a lot of different things. He took a biopsy and it turns out it’s Staff and bacterial. He is on Orbax and we are soaking twice a day in Nolvasan solution. A lot of puss has been coming out around his nail. Today, 5 days later, a lot of puss came out and then blood. Does this mean it’s healing?
Doberman Pinscher
Coco
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling
I have an 8 year old female Doberman. She has a swollen toe on her left rear paw. Her nail is in tact. She has been licking this toe for quite some time and there was a bare spot on it. The swelling appeared very suddenly.....overnight. She is not having problems running or walking. I've been cleaning it 4 times daily, soaking the paw, applying peroxide and neosporin. There is no discharge from the area or from the nail. It originally appeared like her paws were sensitive to something in the yard like grass or some kind of weed.
Wire Fox Terrier
Guinness
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Brittle Nails
Pus In Nail
Nail Discoloratio
Hi my Wired Fox Terrier has brittle, discolored nails and some has little pus in the nail. His nails are long and we've been trying to grind them down. I went to 4 different vets and all four have different opinion. Diagnosis were allergy, genetic, bacteria infections and undetermined. He has been a few courses of antibiotics and no improvement. Currently, he is on 1 gel of Omega 3 everyday and one vet recommended that I soak his paws with iodine and water solution, which I will start tonight). Any thoughts? thank you very much!
Boxer
Macy
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
Limping
Mild Swealing
A couple days ago I noticed Macy had been licking her right front paw and it seemed to be bothering her, so I checked her foot and noticed a blister on the side of her paw pad. I didn’t think it was very serious so I found some natural creme that we had and put some of that on her blister and put a sock over her paw so she wouldn’t lick it.
Her blister doesn’t seem to be getting a whole lot better, but now I’ve noticed that she has some brown spots on the top of some of her nails that weren’t there before!
I always put booties on her before we go for a walk but I have noticed that sometimes her paws are a little damp after we come back. Not sure if that can cause any thing though?
I feel like if she isent getting better in the next few days I might have to think about bringing her to the vet. But the only problem is that I don’t really have the money for those crazy expensive vet bills right now!
Is there possibly any way that I would be able to treat this from home? Or would I have no choice but to go to a vet? But of course if I have no choice then I’ll bring her to the vet because I do care about her very very much and want what’s best for her!
Miniature Pinscher
Mila
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swelling
Pustules
Infection
Mila has a swollen front toe after playing outside and after 10 days I took her to a doctor and prescribed her some antibiotics in hope to clear her swelling. I’ve also started giving her betadine paw soaks and give her neosporin. At the moment, she is wearing a cone so she won’t lick herself and continue to irritate it. I have noticed the nail on the affected finger is tender and I can almost tug on it and see it come out as I try to clean and inspect the finger. It’s been 3 days since we’ve seen the vet and her finger swelling has gone down a bit. However, I am concerned if her nail will fall off or needs to be drained.
