Friday, March 21, 2008

Help with my Chocolate Labrador Retriever's Nails - part I

Subject: Help with my Chocolate Labrador Retriever's Nails - part I

From: Angela (USA)

Labrador Retriever Name: Bello

Reader's E-mail - Angela Writes:

Hi there! We have an 8 month old Chocolate lab. A few months ago, we noticed one of his nails was bleeding so we took him to the vet. The vet said the nail had been worn down to the quick and beyond – that’s why it was bleeding.

He asked if he stayed outside all the time and/or if he was running around outside a lot. Well, he sleeps and stays indoors with us most of the time other than being in a kennel outside for a few hours during the workday; the worst part is that we do have a swimming pool and he loves to run around on the deck while we are in the water.

I tried the bootie thing – he wore THROUGH them within 2 hours. The $45 dollars I paid didn’t last at all (needless to say I took them back for a refund; they are supposed to be for rugged terrain and they didn’t last in the backyard).

So, short of leaving him inside while we are outside, and beyond trying the bootie thing again, do you have any suggestions? Luckily, we have tried the cornstarch thing and it works for the time being. I just hate the thought of him not being able to go outside with us and play.

Any ideas you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Angela

All About Labradors Blog Answer:

Hello Angela,

Thank you for writing and visiting All About Labradors blog. I hope it is helpful to you.

Are you just looking to protect his nails or do you also have problems with his paws and pads?

I myself have a pool with concrete around it. In the summer time with the intense heat it would burn one of my Labrador Retriever's paws. Beside making sure I soak the concrete with the hose for a few minutes, I also use a product called Mushers Secret Paw Protector Wax ( can be found online) which helps to prevent the burning from the hot summer pavement.

Tuf Foot - used to toughen and protect soft, sore and tender paws and pads on your dog:

http://www.tuffoot.com

NEO-PAWS™ - I don't know which boot you used, but here is another one with extra durable rubber soles:

http://www.lucysdoghouse.net/LucysDogHouse/dgwrpp3.htm


Lucky Dog Neoprene Cordura Dog Boots - features the comfort of neoprene and the toughness of cordura.

http://www.gundogsupply.com

I don't really know of any others products Angela. I'm going to ask around and see if I can find anything else for you. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

What is your Labrador Retrievers name?

If you have any photos of him that you could e-mail, I would love to post them to the Labrador Retriever pictures blog. Thank you.

Take care of yourself and your Labrador Retriever,
Fay

To read the second part of this e-mail visit: Help with my Chocolate Labrador Retriever's Nails - part II

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1 comments:

Cherolyn July 09, 2011 10:51 PM  

I found your site because our yellow lab is having the same bleeding nail problem. He turned one year in April and loves the pool, if fact...he's a die hard retrieving all of the water weenies. He has made the underwater seat in the deep end of the pool his territory where he swims endlessly to deposit unused water weenies; we have 20. The first time we noticed a problem was last weekend, the 4th of July. Several people over and he put on quite the show of endlessly retrieving. Then 2 people were playing keep away from him and Dexter ran back and forth on the pool aggregate deck relentlessly. When we closed the pool for fireworks we noticed blood on several toes. After inspection we saw his nails were all worn down and at least 4 were bleeding. We used a baking soda paste to stop the bleeding, but during the application a friend said that she had heard if the nerve is exposed the dog can acquire paralysis in that leg. We did not take Dexter to the vet and just kept him low-keyed all week. Bleeding stopped shortly after we treated them and we thought nothing of it. Today we had some people over and Dexter was not running the deck but was doing his duty of retrieving in the pool which has a Gunite surface. Dexter played for hours and we feel so bad because we were clueless that it was the inside of the pool wearing his nails down. He is now laying on the floor with 4 clean white socks on his feet cuddled up with his master. Should we not use the baking soda paste? Is it cornstarch we should have used. How long does it take for the nail to grow back. Is there a chance of paralysis from the nail being so worn down? Please advise. He does have a vet appointment but not for 2 more weeks when his rabies vac is due. Glad I found your site. Cher~

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