Trimming nails
|
|
| I clip our OES's toenails with guillotine nail cutters, but I have to be very careful not to cut too far. I have on accident cut to the quick, and had to call my vet with a way to stop the bleeding. He said to use flour and it worked immediately. I now take them for a long walk to wear them out before I trim nails so they aren't as likely to move around. We always take them for a walk on the street and that seems to file the nail down and not make the nail so sharp. I hope this helps. |
| I use a dremel on my OES's nails. I picked up a small one with two speeds for around 20 dollars at a local discount store. It is a small electric grinder that has a small bit that I just old each toe nail against and it files the tip so there isn't a sharp edge. I found a web site that has it listed. Check the price of the Dremel Pet Nail Trimmer at Amazon.com It takes a little longer than clipping, but I have never trimmed the nails to short and my OES doesn't pull away or get scared of it. She lays on the ground and even holds her paw up for me to work on it. |
| You need to use the drum grinder attachment on the Dremmel. Looks like a sandstone. Most grooming books show what they look like now days. Check out an all-breed or poodle grooming book from the library and you may find more pointers.
Since we walk on pavement every day, only Abbi's front feet need trimming. She uses her back legs to power herself down the road. So I use these professional nail clippers for large breed to cut her nails to within an eight of an inch of the quick and then file it down smooth with the Dremmel. If you get the more expensive models they rev up too fast, so be sure to keep it at a low to moderate level or it will actually smell while you are smoothing off the edged and the shrill motor sound will drive the dog nuts. Before my hubby gave me a Dremmel for Christmas, I used a nail file to buff her nails smooth. The ones used for acrylics sure worked fast... like a second or so a nail. I still go with the file method if I am in a hurry. Seems fast to just cut most of it and then buff it smooth later when I brush her out again. But the Dremmel makes it where you can round off the nails better. Are your dog's nails black? If they are, just trim them off a little bit every week and buff them off. The more often you trim the nails the higher the quick remains, which is the way to go. Flour or cornstarch work in a pinch, but syptic pencils or powder (even better) will not only stop the bleeding quicker but will act as an antimicrobial--has sulfer in it. I cut one of my poodle's nails one time before I went and bought some syptic or nail powder from my local pet store. The powder type is easiest because you just dip the nail in. Only had to use it recently, but that was due to a autoimmune response/ cement trauma (we were beginning to walk more than 3 miles a day on cement and her nails began craking and splintering off). It came in handy, as 3 nails cracked to the quick. And Abbi didn't even whimper? She just wanted to go finish the walk. Your dog may be a bit reluctant for you to trim the nails again, so don't let it see the clippers. If possible, have someone distract the dog or give it a treat when you start and finish. |
| You all use the Dremel instead of a clipper? Or do you use it to finish the job?
And for those that use a clipper, do you use the "guillotine" style or the "scissors" style? Thanks |
Quote: You all use the Dremel instead of a clipper? Or do you use it to finish the job? And for those that use a clipper, do you use the "guillotine" style or the "scissors" style?
I use the guillotine clipper. I always have Kwik Stop near in case I cut the quick.  I've only cut the quick on a dog once, but once is enough to know that you want something to stop the bleeding and take away the pain. (the one I have contains benzocaine)
It's easier to see the quick after a bath or after the paws have been rinsed. I've never used a file, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. I haven't had a jumpin' dog for years, so scratching hasn't been an issue. Is there a health reason to use a file? |
| I use the guillotine style to cut nails, and then a long walk on cement to file it down so they're not so sharp. Another thing that works to stop bleeding if you cut the quick (it happened to me once with my first oes, I felt horrible) is a bar of soap, just poke the nail into it. Someone told me to do this, and I didn't think it was such a good idea, I thought it would sting, but she didn't seem to mind, and it worked immediately. Also, quick stop, corn starch, flour.... but since we were in the bathroom, and the soap was closest that's what i used. |
| I wish I'd have known about soap, corn starch, flour, etc when I cut Addy's quick. It was SO sad. I felt awful. She didn't seem to be in a lot of pain, but she bled for a couple minutes, and wasn't interested in getting her nails done again anytime soon after that! Also -- it's a lot cheaper and always readily available.
Today I had to give Maggy a good paw rinse as she was out in the mud. 
I noticed that her nails were a little rough. Better get her out on the sidewalks for a while for a good filing! We usually go around the lake, but the path we take is just a cedar mulch. Doesn't do ANY filing. 
The things I learn here!  Thank you!  |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|