Nail Wax

[Caitie]

I had a Shih Tzu the other day that seems to have been a little neglected when it came to the grooming and vet care. The dog had mats all over, including some that were wrapped tight around the rear nails. The nails were overgrown by about a half inch but some had this thick waxy substance that was difficult to wash. Some of these nail mats had this "wax" under them. I ended up cutting the mats off the nails, trimming the waxy hairs from the feet and using my nail to scrape the substance from the nail. What are these balls of "nail wax"? I know you must have seen this before, this is not a first for me. It is just doggy toe jam?

[minkyboodle]

I have seen that before on some dogs, but not just ones with matting round the nails...I always thought it was just gunk collecting up around the nails from dirt and oils. If it is just back feet could it be ear wax??

[pamperedpups]

Could it just have been tar or tree sap? I've seen both collect around toenails before.

[diamienono]

My guess would be all the gunk the dog walk in.

[ferret]

wax

Its probably ear wax from scratchy his dirty neglected ears...

[ejmj30]

I've seen the same thing, and wondered the same thing. Not sure what it was though. Sorry I can't help you there, but am interested in finding out what it really is.

[stacie-gotg]

Yeast

[Pixie]

Seen it and don't know what it is either. I just figured ear was from those nasty ears too.

[plushpuppy]

I also had a dog like this come in and I kept some of the hair with the waxy stuff and gave it to my vet tech friend The vet that she works for said it was ear was from the dog scratching his ears

[toomuchfunbnme]

Hmmm....

I have never seen this before. I used to raise shih tzus, but of course none of them ever got into that poor condition. She sounds like she was really neglected.