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
Bullmastiff
Ten Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Toe Nail Green Ooze
When I went to cut her nails with the drummel, this nail started oozing green puss.. I looked and her pad around the toe was swollen. What can I do to treat without spending tons at the vet?
July 11, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
1 Recommendations
Hello,
Some dogs can get a disease called Symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy. This will cause all the signs that you are describing. You can try to soak his feet in Epson salt and apply triple antibiotic cream to the nails. If this does not help, you will need to see your vet for antibiotics. Many times topical treatment alone will not cure this issue.
I hope your dog starts to improve quickly.
July 11, 2020
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Pitbull
6.5 years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Toe That Is Lightly Pussing From Nail Bed
I took Maggie to the beach this past Monday, & on Tuesday I noticed one of her toes was swollen. I initially thought it might’ve been a bug bite but it still hasn’t gone away. I soaked in it epsom salt once yesterday & today & no chance. She is licking it like crazy & there is a little bit of puss coming from where her skin meets her nail. I don’t want to rush her to the vet so I am seeking advice on how to move forward. My vet recommended the epsom salt & if that didn’t work they want me to make an appointment but I would like to do what I can at home before bringing her.
July 11, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hello,
Epson salt is a good thing to do. Try to also apply some triple antibiotic cream to this toe. If she continues to lick at this area, you may have to get her a cone to wear. If this does not help, it would be best to see your vet.
I hope your dog starts to feel better soon.
July 11, 2020
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Greatdane
Ahari
2 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Toe Nail Infected And Swollen No P
Hi My baby girl greatdane has a infected toe nail. I have some cephalexin 500mg at home she is 60kg. How much do I give her per dose and how often?
I have soaked her foot not sure how long she has had a sore toe for a week maybe? My daughter said she vomited yesterday. Not sure if this is realated.Before I can take her to a vet.Please and Thankyou in advance.
May 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Without examining Ahari, I can't determine what might be gong on, or what medications might be appropriate. If this has been going on for a week and isn't improving, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine and diagnose her problem, and advise you on what medication might be best for her.
May 15, 2018
My dog Oscar currently has a nailbed infection over last 3 weeks been prescribed 7 days of therios antibiotics each week, then the 3rd sake tablets and hibiscrub soaks twice a day? His final antibiotic was yesterday I’m taking him back tomorrow but I’m not sure if correct treatment has been given? Please advised me of correct procedure around this? Thanks
May 16, 2018
Sharon
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Rottweiler
Jaantje
9 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Toe/Raw Underside Nai
Swollen Toe/Raw Underside Nail
On Feb 16th, Cephalexin 500 MG was prescribed 2 times per day.They were cut in half.It said 20 tabs on the bottle.There was no improvement of her swollen toe so I took her back on March 12th the vet prescribed SMZ-TMP 960MG 1 tablet 2 times per day.28 tablets in the bottle.They were not cut in half.I have 13 tablets left to give.I am not seeing an improvement.He did not order blood work or prescribe any topical ointment.Upon examination he stated that he feared it to be a cancerous tumor and that surgery would likely be necessary.I asked if the 1st antibiotic wasn't strong enough on the second visit.That's when he gave the SMZ-TMP.I Google the SMZ-TMP and don't seem to be the appropriate antibiotic for her swollen toe.The Cephalexin they say is appropriate but at a higher dosage and a longer duration.It seems like the vet is delaying the treatment that she needs just in order to have me make multiple visits and multiple payments.I told him that I was soaking her foot in Epsom salt and applying iodine to the toe.He had never suggested that I do anything other than to give her the antibiotics.I feel I need to do more for her on my own.Tonight I soaked her foot in Epsom salt with iodine in the water.I applied a triple antibiotic cream (that I had for humans) on a cotton ball and pressed against the underside of the infected nail and wrapped it.I will do this each day and finish the antibiotics. Since he only seems interested in surgery, which is costly and that I can't afford,please tell me if there is any other meds or ointment or procedure that I can do for her.I don't want this infection to spread to her bones.And if it is cancer, I know that prolonging the right treatment that see needs is detrimental.He only seems to care about the money.What antibiotic should she be taking? I don't want her to develop a resistance to an antibiotic after the way he has prescribed them.What can I do for her? PLEASE HELP ME!!!Mary
March 20, 2018
3 Recommendations
Ideally if you believe that your Veterinarian is stalling treatment, you should visit another Veterinarian for an examination and second opinion; nail infections are typically treated with cephalexin (10-15mg/lb) or clindamycin for a period of four to six weeks which is typically two weeks after the symptoms have resolved, Epsom Salts and chlorhexidine soaks are also useful in these cases. A concern is that an infection works its way into the bone which would create a more serious problem, if there was no improvement with the cephalexin I would suggest a culture and sensitivity test to be done to find which antibiotic the infection is susceptible to. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 20, 2018
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