Toenail issue?

[LindsayG]

Hi guys, so I just noticed Kam has a toenail thing going on. I know they can rip out toenails because he is already missing one from climbing on the screen. At first it looked like it was half ripped off but there's another shorter nail under it. Do chams shed toenails like cats do? I gently touched the crooked part to see if it would fall off and it is still very much attached. Will it fall off on its own? I don't want this to become something that gets infected. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Carlton]

Odd...I wonder if the claw simply broke and the outer piece is still partly attached to the skin surrounding it? I'd inspect the claw and tip of the toe where the claw grows from. If there is no sign of a skin break maybe just keep an eye on that toe. If the skin around the claw is torn or injured I would dab some Polysporin (no pain relieving ingredient) on it to protect it from possible infection.

 

[LindsayG]

Odd...I wonder if the claw simply broke and the outer piece is still partly attached to the skin surrounding it? I'd inspect the claw and tip of the toe where the claw grows from. If there is no sign of a skin break maybe just keep an eye on that toe. If the skin around the claw is torn or injured I would dab some Polysporin (no pain relieving ingredient) on it to protect it from possible infection.

I got a better look at it this morning and the nail did tear right down the middle like the top half separated from the under half. No break in the skin but I believe it's uncomfortable for him because he piffed at me when I touched it. I guess I'll just keep an eye on it like you said and hopefully the top part will come off on its own. Thank you

 

[Carlton]

I wonder if you could stabilize the claw (and make it less bothersome) by dabbing it with that fist aid/tissue glue/superglue?

 

[LindsayG]

I wonder if you could stabilize the claw (and make it less bothersome) by dabbing it with that fist aid/tissue glue/superglue?

Do you mean like that liquid bandaid stuff or actual superglue? Either way, the nail is very much stuck in its place. I tried to push them back together or like squeeze them together and there was no give. That was when he piffed at me aND he's never done that before so I know it hurt, plus he jerk ed his foot away. I didnt try too hard because of that so do you suggest i give it another go?

 

[jajeanpierre]

Just leave it. Putting any kind of ointment on his toe will go over his whole foot and he'll not be able to grasp. Polysporin is petroleum jelly based, so very slippery.