Claw Disorders in Dogs
Key takeaways
A claw disorder is a disease or trauma which affects the claw and surrounding tissue.
- There are several disorders that fall under this classification including traumatic injuries, Symmetric Lupoid Onychitis (SLO), bacterial and fungal infections, tumors, and keratinization defects
- The main symptoms are limping, redness or swelling around the nail bed, irregular claw shape and structure, and claws falling off
- Underlying causes are diagnosed using physical examination, bloodwork, urinalysis, bacterial analysis and biopsies
- Treatments may involve medications, topical treatments, and surgery
- The prognosis of most claw disorders is good with appropriate treatment, but depends on the underlying cause
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A closer look: Claw Disorders in Dogs
Claw disorders can be categorized into two distinct descriptions;
Asymmetric
- Affects one claw or multiple claws on one foot
- Caused by traumatic injury, infections, or tumors
Symmetric
- Affects several/all claws on all feet
- Regrowth of soft, brittle, or irregularly shaped claws
- Caused by systemic disease, autoimmune disease, nutritional disease
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Risk factors
Claw disorders in dogs are rare. The most common cause of claw issues is a tear to the claw which results in physical injury. These cases require prompt veterinary attention for antibiotic treatment and cleaning the wound. If left untreated, serious complications can develop in these cases.
Other claw disorders commonly affect the areas around the claw - the folds or tissue attached to it. Some of these conditions are serious and require prompt veterinary assessment to begin treatment.
Possible causes
Claw disorders may be caused by iInjuries such as tears or rips in the claws from snagging on household objects or being caught during play.
Main symptoms
Symptoms include
- Limping
- Pain around the affected claw(s)
- Visible damage to claws
- Swelling or redness at the nail bed
- Abnormal nail appearance (shape, split, curvature)
- Brittle or soft claws
- Claws falling off
Testing and diagnosis
After a physical examination, a number of tests are run to determine the root cause of the claw disorder, including:
- Blood tests
- Urinalysis
- Diagnostic imaging
- Biopsy of the claw or the area around the claw
- Skin scrapings
- Bacterial culture
Steps to Recovery
Treatments vary based on the diagnosis, but may include:
- Topical antibiotics or antifungals
- Pain medications
- Surgical removal of affected claws or the affected toe
- Immune-suppressive medications
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
The prognosis for most claw conditions is good with prompt treatment. Some disorders, such as tumors or autoimmune disease, may have a poorer prognosis depending on the severity of disease. Lifelong treatments may be needed for some underlying conditions.
Prevention
Claw disorders and related conditions are best prevented with regular claw maintenance and being alert to potential sources of bacterial infection. Some disorders are not preventable, but early detection and treatment will improve outcomes.
Are Claw Disorders in Dogs common?
Some disorders are common (nail tearing) while others are quite rare (fungal infections, nail bed carcinoma).
Typical Treatment
- Topical antibiotics or antifungals
- Pain medications
- Surgical removal of affected claws or the affected toe
- Immune-suppressive medications
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
