Black nail

[Ellen hosking]

I was just clipping my piggies nails and noticed that one of his nails is a black brown colour and very short. I poked my nail on it to see if it was soft, he squealed and it is now bleeding a little. I've tried to attach a photo (sorry if blurry) but it looks more bloody than it is. I'm not sure if it's the blood vessel in his nail or something? Does anyone know what this is or have any advice?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Looks like you clipped it a little too short. Something we all do from time to time. It should stop bleeding within 15 mins

 

[Ellen hosking]

Looks like you clipped it a little too short. Something we all do from time to time. It should stop bleeding within 15 mins

Hi, I hadn't clipped it yet so I wasn't sure why it was that short and brown? Thank you though

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hi, I hadn't clipped it yet so I wasn't sure why it was that short and brown? Thank you though

Ohhh yes it looks like the blood vessel bleeding. Could piggy have caught it on something?

 

[Freela]

It looks like he may have caught the nail on something and torn the quick (blood vessel) inside. It's probably sore but should heal up okay, just keep an eye on it for any signs of infection, like swelling or redness of the foot.

 

[Ellen hosking]

It looks like he may have caught the nail on something and torn the quick (blood vessel) inside. It's probably sore but should heal up okay, just keep an eye on it for any signs of infection, like swelling or redness of the foot.

OK thank you. I can't see any swelling but if any comes up is there anything I could put on it or should I just take him to the vet?

 

[Wiebke]

I was just clipping my piggies nails and noticed that one of his nails is a black brown colour and very short. I poked my nail on it to see if it was soft, he squealed and it is now bleeding a little. I've tried to attach a photo (sorry if blurry) but it looks more bloody than it is. I'm not sure if it's the blood vessel in his nail or something? Does anyone know what this is or have any advice?

Hi!

It looks like you have either clipped into the quick or he has caught his nail and torn it himself and injured the quick (the blood carrying vessel that runs through the life bit. T
he bleeding should stop within 10-15 minutes. If not, please contact a vet. The quick and nail will be growing back, if often a little deformed. Once dried, disinfect with saline (which you can make at home) or another mild disinfectant if needed.
First Aid Kit: Easily available non-medication support products for an emergency

 

[Freela]

OK thank you. I can't see any swelling but if any comes up is there anything I could put on it or should I just take him to the vet?

There's probably no need... nails usually heal up fine on their own. One of my past pigs once ripped a nail right off where it joined to her foot... it bled like crazy (a truly shocking amount!) but healed up without any aftercare. Her nail even grew back reasonably normally (maybe a little thicker than previous, but otherwise fine.)

 

[Ellen hosking]

There's probably no need... nails usually heal up fine on their own. One of my past pigs once ripped a nail right off where it joined to her foot... it bled like crazy (a truly shocking amount!) but healed up without any aftercare. Her nail even grew back reasonably normally (maybe a little thicker than previous, but otherwise fine.)

Ah ok thank you for the help

 

[Claire W]

My Edward has torn his nail off down to the quick twice. His nail has now grown back although it is thicker and darker than before. I soaked the toe in warm boiled water (not hot) from the kettle mixed with a teaspoon of salt

 

[PigglePuggle]

It does look rather like a torn off nail, the black you see is the blood that has scabbed- that's the main issue with a torn nail, stopping the bleeding. It should be fine, just keep an eye on it for a few days in case there is any infection which would make the toe go red and swollen and noticeably painful.
As @Claire W says you can bathe it in sterile saline made from a cup of boiled water that has been left to cool with a teaspoon of salt added, if you want to make sure it is kept clean while it heals, just try not to dislodge the scab or there will be blood everywhere!
Toes bleed a lot, but if the bleeding has stopped it should be fine

 

[Ellen hosking]

It does look rather like a torn off nail, the black you see is the blood that has scabbed- that's the main issue with a torn nail, stopping the bleeding. It should be fine, just keep an eye on it for a few days in case there is any infection which would make the toe go red and swollen and noticeably painful.
As @Claire W says you can bathe it in sterile saline made from a cup of boiled water that has been left to cool with a teaspoon of salt added, if you want to make sure it is kept clean while it heals, just try not to dislodge the scab or there will be blood everywhere!
Toes bleed a lot, but if the bleeding has stopped it should be fine

That's great thanks

 

[Ellen hosking]

My Edward has torn his nail off down to the quick twice. His nail has now grown back although it is thicker and darker than before. I soaked the toe in warm boiled water (not hot) from the kettle mixed with a teaspoon of salt

OK thanks