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Advise on nails please

1K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  DonnaM 
#1 ·
All of our walks have been in soft wooded areas and I've noticed that my mini poo's nails have not been wearing down enough between groomings. (I'm too scared to cut them myself). He's going for dental work on August 17. :( Bad tarter build-up. Would it be okay to ask the vet to cut the nails short while he's under anesthetic so they can cauterize just in case there is bleeding? If this is done, would he end up with really sore feet, or is healing very rapid? Is there risk of infection if the nail quick is cut? Thank you in advance.
 
#2 ·
I know that people do this, but personally I don't like it. Cutting the quick on a dog's nail is like you cutting or ripping your fingernail so short that it bleeds. If you have ever done that to yourself, you know it hurts! Doing purposely to all the nails at once just seems cruel to me.

Another way you can do this is to ask the vet or vet tech to teach you how to cut the nails yourself at home. It's not that hard, you can easily learn. Then you can just "tip" the nails once a week at home. Over time, the quick will recede and you will be able to cut the nails shorter and shorter gradually over time.

I trim my mini's nails myself every one to two weeks and this keeps them at a good length.
 
#3 ·
I would not do it for the reason PaddleAddict mentioned.

If you're not comfortable clipping the nails, you might want to invest in a dremel. I used to dremel Mitch's nails and I never had to worry about cutting a quick or anything. The only thing is that some dogs take a while to desensitize to the sound and vibration of the dremel, and other dogs will never get used to it.

You could also find a nearby grooming shop or vet and just ask them to trim his nails. around my area it's about $5 for just a nail trim.
 
#4 ·
I only

Suggest it to clients if their dog's nail are absurdly long 1" or more overgrown). At that point it is a toss up between which is more painful, quicking all the nails... Or living with nails so long that they disfigure the feet. If they are just a bit overgrown, just have them cut them normally under sedation... Then try to learn to dremel them.

Good luck!
 
#5 ·
I appreciate the advice. No...thankfully... Harley's nails are not absurdly long where the toes are mishapen or anything that neglectful. I will simply ask the vet to trim a bit off while under sedation. Then, for maintenance I will go to the groomer for more frequent nail trims between full groomings. Although the groomer says he's great, I find that he immediately pulls his feet away if I take hold of them and I've never even tried to trim his nails.
 
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