Splitting nails

Question
My dogs front nails keep splitting. Look at your point finger and imagine...the  nail splits right in the middle and on each side is the pieces of the nail which become very painful for her to walk until the pieces   break off.  They bleed and are  painful.  At the  same time  when they split , you can see a big hunk of nail already growing out in the middle of the 2 split pieces. My vet said he had not seen anything like that ever.   I have thought about trying some  hoof salve they put on horses for their hoofs that crack.   I would  like to know why they crack and split and  what I can do to  about  it?   
Thank you.  
Kay  

Answer
Hi Kay,

While I have seen nails split from digging, etc....  I must admit that what you describe is quite unusual to me.

Once you rule out the possibilites of your dog damaging the nails by digging, getting them caught, or whatnot, then the other possibility would be something physiological.  If that is the case, then I really wouldn't be able to help on that.

I would recommend just keeping the nails trimmed and follow your vet's advise.

I know that this probably isn't what you wanted to hear, but other than that, I really can't help you any further.

Good luck,
Stephen