wierd growing toe nail (help)

[Surgat]

I have a 4 year old northern called Sobek.
Now I noticed recently, that on the left forefoot the nail of his big toe is growing really wierd, not straight forward like the rest but rather sideways. Closer inspection revealed that he has somehow managed to slice his toe (skin only) on the inside and thus allowing the nail to grow very strange, since it hasnt been held in check by the usual part of flesh/skin. It looks pretty much as if the nail split the toe.
Now I do know that pictures help alot but at the moment I cant get a picture of it, since my digital camera sucks alot. Ill try to get one on later. The toes got trimmed so there isnt any wildgrow going on. It didnt happen when cutting the nails, was already present before. I was wondering if there is anything I or a Vet can do about it (it doesnt seem to impair his walking or hurt very much)? Anybody else encountered a problem like this?
It just looks a bit painful to me, so im worried.

[Kya Ajiira]

bets way to get help on here is to post a picture if possible it makes it easier for others to help

[sheslikeheroin]

definetly a pic would help but try emailing zach hes always ready to help and either has heard of that before or dealt with it personally, he can give you the answers you need.

[Fatal_S]

If it doesn't seem to be causing his any pain or trouble walking, look into it, but dont freak. E-mail Zach, get some pictures when possible, and just keep an eye on it. Pryce's nails are very messed up from his previous home, but he doesn't seem to be in pain, and I'm leaving them be.

[Blotch]

keep them trimmed - some of my blueys have stupid toenails, I keep them short and things seem to be fine. As the others have said - as long as there is no apparent pain or trouble with their walking - there shouldn't be any real problems.

[Lisa]

My shingleback actually ripped a toenail out.
I think it will correct itself over time.

When mine ripped it out, because it was a wound, I dabbed it twice daily with diluted betadine. It even eventually grew back:

This is when it first happened


A couple of weeks later after the betadine


Healing but looking a little sideways


Straightening up now


I'd just continue to keep the nail nice and short so that if it does grow in sideways, it won't bother him.

[Fatal_S]

Poor turd! That toe looks icky in the first picture. Just not up to the standard of the rest of him. Glad it seems to be growing back now. Hope it turns out well.

Pryce ripped out a few nails somehow in the past. One is growing back, the others seem to be permanently gone. He also lost the tips of several toes from bad sheds, and certain scales are malformed.

[Blotch]

yeah a cpl of my guys have ripped nails out and they haven't grown back. I was surprised to see one actually coming back yesterday. So I guess if it happens it happens.

[shingleback aus]

im very glad to hear that toe nails grow back because my shingle lost a toe nail the other week and i was shatterd.

[Surgat]

I managed to get some pictures. they suck but should aid. It looks as if the the nail somehow corrects itself and remaining skin on the other side dies off but well check out the pictures and we'll see. and yes i know my digital camera sucks.





well, since the pictures arent too clear, the dark thing is the nail and white whatever the remaining skin.

thanks for helping folks!!!i really appreciate it.

[Kya Ajiira]

hum...odd at least its not as bad as i immagined

[Zach]

Hmm....almost looks like a long nail growing with no quick....

What do you think, Lisa?

[Fatal_S]

Are we sure that's not stuck shed? To me (haven't dealt with it much) it looks like the last part of the toe is being severely constricted, it's much smaller and darker?

[Shadowfax]

Awww, it's never good to have a bloody turd, Lisa.

Poor kid does have an odd toe though -- it does look like some sort of constriction is going on.

[Tattoo]

[quote="Shadowfax"]Awww, it's never good to have a bloody turd, Lisa.


Nearly at a loss for words ... oh wait ...

[Leigh]

That looks like a bone with the flesh striped off,like the end of a finger without the flesh

[Surgat]

I examined it once more today. The white stuff hanging isnt shed but it looks like half of the toe, or looks at if it was that once. Doesnt seem constricted. There are slice marks on the lower toe, reminds me when my dog tore his nail out somehow once, looks nearly the same. Im trying to get him to a vet on monday, this starts to freak me out

[Lisa]

I think it looks a bit like what Leigh said. To me, the nail looks fine, but it looks like the flesh (scale?) holding the toenail on, or covering the main part of the toenail, has ripped off. Almost a bit like teeth or an ieberg, you only see the end of them and the rest is in your gum or under the water.

This fleshy part seems missing. If that was there, the toenail tip would look like all the others.


If it were mine, my main concerns would be what caused it to make sure it's not an infection that may spread to the rest of the fleshy bits on that toe, and also whether its worth leaving it perhaps prone to more injury, or to get the vet to amputate the toe around about here:


I'm no vet but, and also no expert on skink injuries! I'd be taking mine to a good herp vet for their opinion.

Brena, you totally crack me up!