That's Bleeding A Lot: 4 Steps To Take If Your Pet Manicure Results In An Injury

When dogs and cats have long nails, they can wreak havoc on your home. Scratched wood floors and shredded window curtains can make you wish that they didn't have nails at all. If you trim your pet's nails on a regular basis, you know how easy it is to accidentally trim off too much of the nail. When that happens, you're going to notice a lot of blood. Here are four steps you can take to help get the bleeding stopped and prevent infections.

Give it a Good Cleaning

If you've accidentally caused an injury while trimming your pet's nails, you'll want to clean the area as quickly as possible. A thorough cleaning will help prevent an infection from setting in. Wash the area with warm water and a mild antibacterial soap. Rinse the area well and pat dry. If the wound has stopped bleeding, apply a layer of antibiotic ointment. If the wound is still bleeding, you'll need to use the steps below to get that under control.

Keep a Shaving Kit on Hand

If you're going to be trimming your pet's toe nails on a regular basis, you need to invest in a small shaving kit. Your shaving kit will contain a styptic pencil that is used to stop minor bleeding episodes. Cut the tip off of the styptic pencil and press the end up against your pet's wound. The bleeding should stop as soon as the styptic pencil is applied to the open wound.

Dip it in Flour

If you don't have access to a styptic pencil, you can still stop the bleeding. Simply place a small amount of white flour in a bowl. Carefully dip the affected paw into the bowl and pat the flour onto the wound. Leave the flour in place for several minutes. Carefully wipe your pets paw with a damp cloth.

See the Vet

If you've tried everything, and your pet is still bleeding, you should wrap the wound and get to the veterinarian as quickly as possible. If your pet has not stopped bleeding after about 15 minutes, it might have a health problem that prevents its blood from clotting properly.

If your attempt to give your pet a manicure has resulted in a nail injury, use the simple tips provided here to get the bleeding under control. For help with future manicures, talk to a veterinarian, like one from Clovis Veterinary Hospital P A, about professional nail trimming services.