Bleeding toe nails?

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Tenderfoot
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon May 13, 2019 7:18 am
Location: Nevada

Bleeding toe nails?

Post by Tenderfoot » Sun Oct 20, 2019 8:42 am

My 1 1/2 year old GSP recently experienced bleeding toe nails after a hunt. Her nails are trimmed appropriately ( I believe) and she’s is routinely exercised and ran on a gravel road for several miles with no issues. After one day of Chukar hunting her nails started bleeding and her feet seemed sore. The pads themselves appear in great shape, no cuts, tears or open wounds, however slightly swollen, which I attributed to her acting sore and expected considering it’s her first time out this year , but the bleeding toe nails are concerning to me. The nails are bleeding from the ends not the base. Is this normal? Any recommendations appreciated, thanks.

fishvik
Rank: 5X Champion
Posts: 1070
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:48 pm
Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Re: Bleeding toe nails?

Post by fishvik » Sun Oct 20, 2019 2:10 pm

Hunting in Nevada can lead to that. When I lived there my dogs often broke nails and were always sore footed after the first day of hunting or if hunted them on a number of successive days later in the season. There is a lot of lava rock (basalt) and obsidian in that landscape, particularly in northwestern and north central Nevada. They are both rough on a dogs feet and nails.

Tenderfoot
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon May 13, 2019 7:18 am
Location: Nevada

Re: Bleeding toe nails?

Post by Tenderfoot » Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:17 am

Great thanks. Good to know it’s normal. I assume her feet will toughen up as the season progresses. Hopefully

birddogger2
Rank: 3X Champion
Posts: 544
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:15 am
Location: Lower slower Delaware

Re: Bleeding toe nails?

Post by birddogger2 » Mon Oct 21, 2019 12:20 pm

I have had a similar thing happen when running in sandy soil. It is like running on sandpaper, so the pads and the nails get "sanded" down to the quick and then will bleed. The good news is that when this happens, the quick retreats and the nail will have to be worn down even more for it to bleed.

Soooo...eventually the dog will be running on just its pads, with only light pressure on its shortened nails.

On rough terrain, you might consider booting the dog for long outings, because if the dog wears thru its pads...you are probably done for a while.

RayG

Tenderfoot
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon May 13, 2019 7:18 am
Location: Nevada

Re: Bleeding toe nails?

Post by Tenderfoot » Sat Dec 07, 2019 8:07 am

That seems to exactly it. After several days of recovery, I’ve hunted her again and haven’t had any more issues.

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