You are here:

Ask the Veterinarian/Black and blue toenail

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/14/2010


Question
Hi,

My cat got into something the other day and came back
absolutely filthy and a bit scratched up. I gave him a bath
and put some ointment on the scratches. Well three days
later I was looking at his front paws and noticed that one
of his nails is black and blue the entire length (like how a
human fingenail might look if it got smashed in a door or
something). The bed (crest?) underneath still looks healthy
pink and there is no blood anywhere. He was/is not favoring
his other foot so I didn't know he had any trauma. I don't
see any other signs of injury on that paw although he
doesn't let me hold his paws for very long (ever). Is this
something serious that I should take him to a vet to look at
or like human fingernails, will the traumatized section grow
out?

Thanks,
Megan

Answer
IT sounds like he got into a nasty fight. You should probably keep an eye on him and watch for abscesses growing. What you are seeing under his nail could be blood from the other cat, or he might have pulled on the nail as it was embedded in the other cat and made the quick bleed.

It doesn't sound like an emergency of any type so I don't think, unless he is in pain or lethargic, that you need to rush him to the vets.
Could be a wait and see situation.

Ask the Veterinarian

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.