TWO claws off, no blood – totally confused – please help

[MyBestLittleFriendSnowball]

Hi all,

 

So this morning I found a claw in Snowball’s condo with the quick clearly included – the blood inside it had turned black indicating he lost it a while back during the night. However, I found no blood on him or his condo and no changes in him at all. Also rang the vet and since his eating/pooping and everything was normal, was advised to keep an eye on him.

Since the missing claw, we decided to give his other claws a trim (we do roughly once a month) but right when trimming his ‘thumbnail’ on the same paw as the one he lost his other claw on, he jerked – and off came the entire thing. Two confusing things happened here: 1) no blood at all except a faint trace from the claw itself and; 2)  after examining his (front) paw, it looks like FOUR out of his five claws have the quick intact while just one seems to be missing – the one we snipped. Shouldn’t there be two claws missing with their quicks?

I’ve attached pictures of both the claws here – the one on the right is the recently removed one and the one on the left is the one I found this morning.

Can anyone confirm that that is indeed the quick we’re seeing? And why should there be no blood? He was licking his right paw just now though, which makes me think he’s in some discomfort?

 

Many thanks for any help!

[LBJ10]

Is there a stump of nail left on his toe? I’m wondering if the nails were already damaged and the quick receeded. So what you’re seeing is the sheath of “dead” nail that came off.

[MyBestLittleFriendSnowball]

Thanks for your response, LBJ10  I think thats a strong possibility and would explain his normal behaviour+ lack of blood. I definitely counted four claws with quick intact – the fifth (his pinky) Im not sure about as that was the one we snipped off entirely so didnt want to disturb that area too much – plus given its minuscule size, its is near impossible to see anyway (he’s a dwarf breed). I’ll try checking it again tonight if he lets me. Other than that, he’s been his usual self so we’re not worried – plus we’re seeing the vet in a couple of days anyway so hopefully that’ll give us the assurance we need.

 

Thanks again!

[LBJ10]

Wooly had this happen, that’s why I suggested it. He got his nail caught. He didn’t tear it off, but it was damaged. The quick receded and a new nail started growing in under the “dead” one. The little stump got out so far and then the dead nail came off. It pretty much looked like a whole claw, but there was no blood.

As long as his toe isn’t bloody now or red or swollen, then I wouldn’t be too worried. If there is anything to clean up, you can clean it up. Otherwise, it will be some time before the nail grows back. If you’re going to the vet anyway, you can ask about it. It seems to be fairly common with rabbits.

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