infected dog nails pictures
Daniel Johnston
Updated on May 22, 2026
A typical treatment when your dog has an infected nail (paronychia) or paw/toe infection (also called dog pododermatitis) is to soak the paw with an anti-bacterial/anti-fungal product such as Banixx Pet Care.
What does an infected dog toe look like?
Signs of an infection in the paws include licking and chewing the paws, redness, swelling, pain, itching, and drainage. Typically, the skin between the toes and other skin folds is affected with itching, redness, and greasy discharge. Sometimes, brown discoloration of the nails.
What does dog toenail fungus look like?
Discoloration. Discoloration of the nail is a common sign of fungal nail infection in dogs. However, it can also be a sign of other nail disorders, such as symmetric lupoid onychodystrophy. If your dog’s nail is usually white, reddish coloration may develop if the nail bleeds.
Why is my dog’s nail red and swollen?
Swollen red nail beds and the surrounding area around a dog’s nail is a possible sign of infection or nail disorder. Nail and claw disorders in dogs are common, and they need treatment under the guidance of a veterinarian. Exposure to snow, mud and dirt can also affect the nail health of dogs.
Can dogs toenails get infected?
If broken toenails are a common problem with your dog, there may be an underlying issue causing them to break. Chronic or persistent fungal infections, immune-mediated or hereditary diseases such as lupoid onychodystrophy, and nutritional deficiencies can lead to brittle nails that break easy.
Can I use Neosporin on my dog?
Can You Put Neosporin on a Dog? Neosporin can be used topically to treat minor cuts and scrapes in dogs, just like in humans.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide on my dog?
DO NOT use soaps, shampoos, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, herbal preparations, tea tree oil, or any other product to clean an open wound, unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian. Some of these products are toxic if taken internally, while others can actually delay healing.
How long does it take for a dog’s nail to heal?
Easy walks on smooth paths would be OK. The good news is that dogs nails grow back a lot faster than human nails. It usually only takes two to three weeks for a nail to grow back down and cover the quick, according to many online sources.
What can I put on my dogs infected paw?
Most dogs with a paw infection will heal with the proper treatment.
Some common ways to help a dog work through a paw infection include:
Antibiotics or anti-fungal medication.A warm-water soak with an antibiotic solution mixed in as applicable.Ointment as prescribed by the vet.Bandaging the affected area.
What causes a dog’s nails to turn red?
If your dog’s nails are turning brown or red, it is most often a sign of a yeast infection. Most yeast infections are due to allergy flare-ups. Infections associated with allergies can be the result of environmental, seasonal, and food sensitivities.
Why is my dog’s one toe swollen?
Your dog’s swollen toe may be caused by an infection or a foreign body in the toe, such as a splinter, or more rarely an insect bite or sting. There may be a fracture in the bone of the toe. Most cancerous tumors, such as melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, occur at the junction between the toenail and the toe.
How do dogs get infected nail?
Trauma. Trauma is the most common cause for claw diseases in dogs and sometime in cats. Typically one or few claws are affected. In rare cases claws on all four feet are affected, which can occur due to excessive running on asphalt, concrete and gravel, or the use of infected nail clippers.
Why are dogs nails discolored?
Abnormal Nail Color in Dogs. There could be many causes for nail discoloration in dogs. From fungus to allergies and yeast infections, the origins may vary. Discoloration may even be red, brown, or black, but it could also be that your dog is simply getting older.
What causes dog nails to turn black?
Here are some of the common reasons your dog’s nails are turning black or discolored: Fungal, Bacterial, or Yeast Infection. Trauma. Allergies & Aging.
How do you treat a dew claw infection?
Treatment will vary based on the underlying cause of your dog’s dewclaw infection. Most treatment plans will include oral anti-inflammatory medications, oral antibiotics and/or antifungals, and paw soaks. Soaking the paw in a diluted chlorhexidine solution or Epsom salts can help draw out pus and reduce inflammation.
What does an infected dew claw look like?
Symptoms of a dew claw infection include soreness and inflammation around the dew claw, nail overgrowth, unexpected peeling and chipping of the nail, and discoloration. If you believe your dog may have an infected dew claw, contact your vet immediately to schedule an appointment.
Why is my dogs toe red and swollen?
Primary Cause
Swollen paws are often caused by a foreign object getting trapped between the pads/toes of the dog’s foot. Insect or spider bites, puncture wounds, broken toes, fractured claws, and constant licking/chewing (as with allergies or other source of chronic irritation) are other common causes.