The “Gunk” is a culmination of build-up from your pet's natural skin oils and diet, dust, cat litter, anything they walk on/ in throughout the day. As you can imagine, this leads to loads of microbes (bacteria, fungus) mixed into this lovely nail gunk.
Caused by a fungus and sometimes allergies, a yeast infection can occur anywhere on your dog's paws, including the underside and between the pads. Symptoms include red and irritated paws. There may also be hair loss in the area and a brown discharge in the nail beds.
Take a closer look at your dog's paws to identify the nail infection symptoms. You'll notice a swollen nail bed and pus oozing out of it. Also, you'll notice discoloration in the affected claw; for example, the broken white claw will turn black and vice versa. Furthermore, the nail will be soft and brittle.
Nail discoloration, where the nail turns red, brown, or black, is usually due to an injury with internal bleeding and bruising under the nail. But it can also be a fungal, bacterial, or protozoal infection. Sometimes it happens because of tumors or damage that allows dirt and debris to collect under the nail.
Melanonychia can be caused by inflammatory skin diseases that affect your nails. It can also be caused by inflammation due to friction from shoes and biting your nails. Poor nutrition. Malnutrition can cause melanonychia, especially a lack of protein, vitamin D, or vitamin B12.
Melanonychia is the term for dark pigmentation of the fingernails or toenails. The discoloration can be a natural occurrence in people with dark skin, but it may sometimes indicate health issues. Melanonychia is a nail condition in which melanin is present in the nail plate.
If your toenail or fingernail is thick, fragile, separating from the nail bed and brownish, whitish or blackish, you may have a mycotic nail. This fungal infection can affect anyone, but you're more likely to get it if you have diabetes, psoriasis or athlete's foot.
Just like our own nails, your dog's nails get dirt beneath them which can transport a lot of mud into the house. We don't usually notice that dirt at first…and then it dries and falls out somewhere inside the house!
Keep your eyes out for mud, dirt or debris lodged under his nailbeds, common in dogs with long nails. Your pup's toenails should be kept short enough so that he can walk without his paws splaying.
Nail fungus can cause the nail to become thick, ragged and discolored. An infected nail may separate from the nail bed. Nail fungus is a common infection of the nail. It begins as a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail.
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. However, if you start seeing a change of color in your dog's nails, you should consider a visit to the vet's office.
In dogs, soft, crumbly nails are often the primary symptom of fungal nail diseases. You may notice that your pup's nails are soft if you try to trim them. Also, brittle, split, and broken claws are all signs of a fungal infection.
Symptoms of a yeast infection include red, itchy skin, discolouration, and a sweet, musty odour. If a yeast infection is present in the paws (one of the most common areas), the paws will become red and itchy, and there may even be a brown discharge present in the nail beds.
Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, explains that porphyrin is the most common reason for pink, red, orange, or brown stains on your dog's fur. Porphyrin is “the chemical breakdown product associated with red blood cells,” Dr. Klein says.
Brown spots on the skin of dogs with spotted coats are normal. But spots also occur because of age and sun exposure. Parasites, yeast, bacterial infections, and underlying disorders like cancer, Cushing's, or Addison's disease may also create brown spots or hyperpigmentation on the skin.
Dogs need their nails clipped on a regular basis, approximately every 3-4 weeks; however, it is common for owners to wait too long in between trimmings which can lead to a number of health issues for the animal. For cats, a routine claw trimming every 10-14 days will keep your pet healthy.
For more severe cases, your veterinarian may prescribe a topical antibiotic or a systemic antibiotic as protocol for your dog's nail infection treatment. However, you may be able to avoid the use and cost of an antibiotic if you catch it early and keep the area clean with topical treatments of Banixx.
Keratin debris and skin cells accumulate underneath the fingernail and turn a grayish color when they come in contact with dirt and oil. It is also common for remnants of personal care products such as lotions, makeup, and soaps to accumulate under the nails.
Beyond comfort, neglecting your dog's nails and paws carries serious health risks. Dry paw pads can eventually crack and split, providing easier access for germs and parasites. Overgrown nails can cause your dog's feet to splay unnaturally, reducing traction and making walking painful.
Healthy nails are oval-shaped — broader at the toe and narrower toward the tips. Like human nails, dog claws are made of the protein keratin. Dog nails are typically a similar color to the skin of their paw pads.
If you suspect fleas, the easiest way to check is to take a damp white cloth or piece of paper and brush the infected area. If flea dirt is present, the little black fleck-like pieces will stain the cloth or paper in red.
They may recommend a prescription-strength topical medication, or an oral anti-fungal pill that you take for two or three months. Oral treatment is usually more effective but may interact with other medications.
Prescription medications are the only effective treatment options for toenail fungus. It's also important to keep your feet clean and dry. Wear cotton socks and breathable shoes or try to go barefoot if you're indoors and not likely to injure your feet.