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A broken toenail is considered \u201cYELLOW\u201d \u2013 or a semi-urgent case – on our Fast Track Triage system. We recommend having your pet evaluated by your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital within 24 hours. Call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you, and if your pet\u2019s condition worsens, call the team back to inform them of the status change.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n For some, trimming a pet\u2019s nails at home can be very intimidating. No one wants to accidentally cut their pet\u2019s nails too short and cause pain! <\/span>If you <\/span>cut the nail too short or <\/span>discover<\/span> your pet has a broken (\u201cfractured\u201d) <\/span>toenail<\/span>, <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> important to address this common injury and know when to seek veterinary care.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Okay, we know what you\u2019re thinking \u2013 the anatomy of a toenail? Yes, you absolutely read that right! It\u2019s important to understand what\u2019s going on within that structure, so bear with us!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The nail is a specialized, layered tissue that grows from germinal cells in the distal bone of the pet\u2019s foot. It\u2019s easiest to think of the toenail as two parts:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Depending on the severity of the trauma<\/span>, this type of injury may be manageable at <\/span>home,<\/span> or it may require veterinary care.<\/span> Overall, though, the general rule of thumb is if your pet\u2019s pain and bleeding cannot be controlled at home, seek veterinary care. If your family veterinarian is unavailable, go to an animal urgent care or animal emergency hospital.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this guide helps give pet parents a better idea of what to do if your pet has a toenail injury and when to seek veterinary care. <\/span>If you are ever unsure whether or not to bring your pet in, you can always call your family veterinarian, your local animal urgent care, or your local animal emergency hospital for guidance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More To Know:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nThe Anatomy of a Pet\u2019s Toenails<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
1. The outer layer<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n
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2. The inner layer<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n
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<\/p>\nWhen to Seek Veterinary Care<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/p>\nCommon Types of Toenail Injuries<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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