Nails - Page 1

I have few questions . My vet cut the nails of my dog which had grown quite big. The probblem was that the internal nerves had also grown till the tip of the nail. He cut the nerve along with the nail. There was bleeding. He applied potassium Permanganate on the sore nails bleeding area. Now the dog is much better

Can we sedate the dog if this situation arises again? Because it is bothering to see the dog in pain while the nerve is cut alongwith the nail.

What other solution is there. Is cycling on metal road an automatic solution to keep nails trim?

Thanks for replies.

I cannot do my dogs nails by myself.  I take them to the vet once a month now.  When the nails are very long it will take a couple months to get them trimmed back to the best place.  Two of the dogs get Ace before I take them up.  It helps take the edge off of them and makes it much easier.

Somebody else will need to answer about the cycling helping nails.   If you do, start with short trips because it takes time to build not only endurance but to condition the paws to that enviroment also. 

Someone competent should cut nails. It is really not difficult to do unless the dog simply will not cooperate. It can be done little by little in the case of nails that have grown too long and slowly the quick will retract (pull back). There is no reason to cut nails purposely to hit blood vessels and nerves. It only makes the dog unwilling to have this done the next time....who would blame the dog for that attitude when it was injured last time? 

Starting nail trimming, coat brushing, teeth and ear checks etc.,  when dogs are pups is very, very important. Making it a positive activity, with a treat, going slow, taking plenty of breaks, as necessary, can all prevent the problems we see with so many dogs in later life. Doing it right is even more important. When done badly, it often leaves a life long problem and then someone has to sedate a dog. 

Trotting a dog on concrete, asphalt etc., will help reduce the length of the nails a little. However,  if the dog is not used to it, you can also seriously damage the pads on the paws. So use a little common sense. One does this is short intervals and over a long time period, with plenty of time for the pads to become thicker. Otherwise, you will be sedating your dog again to take it to the vet because the pads are bleeding, split open and worse. Never trot a dog on any hard surface when it is hot. And, of course, never trot a dog when it is above 74 degrees F. Just like humans, cool them down slowly and give water sparingly afterwards and then later, when the dog is rested, not panting and cooled down, it can drink more. Dogs who are exercised should always be well hydrated before they are exercised to avoid heat related injuries.

 Also, I've heard that using a dremel works well in a situation like this because apparently the warmth caused by the friction causes the quick to retract further faster. It still takes some time for it in very long nails, but it can be worked and less likely to cut the quick when using a dremel then with clippers. 

I now have brick in my side/dog yard and am seeing the nails wearing down quite a bit better but not enough where I don't have to deal with them sometimes. With one of my old dogs i used to stick a piece of hot dog in a crack in the sidewalk and he'd paw to get it out and file his own nails. Of course, have to watch that to make sure doesn't injure his pads. But it worked with one of my dogs. 

I have only one dog of many in the years I have had dogs that its easier to go to the vet with. If I try she jerks and yips before the clipper gets to her nail. No I never nipped her.So, I muzzle her (at vets) they take her in the back and say she is a saint. She's not if I am there. That said I just do all the rest myself. I have found if I trim them the same position as if they were a horse they do fine. I give a small treat after each paw and praise. Maybe your dog is like my Yette. If not try the horse method. I think unless your dogs feet are shaped correctly they will not wear down very good. I once lost a dog for 9 days. She traveled lots of miles and her nails were long when I found her.... Yette when young, wore her nails down, short little cat like feet. Part of the reason she is a pill now, cuz I didn't have to trim when she was young.

http://leerburg.com/70.htm

how is this product for pads before cycling?

regards

hard surface walking is the best thing IMO

file the nails with an electric manicure set  (drimel's are really noisy)   or a normal file.

if you file the nerve tends to retract so their i no bleeding or pain also it is a hell of a lot cheaper than unnecessary trips to the vet

another trick of mine is to teach the dog to dig on command, but on a hard surface like a slab. this works really well and is really funny to watch

bet of luck

tigermouse can you tell me the link URL for the Electric Manicure product. Where can I get It?

regards

B

blimey i have had mine for 10 years + most chemists have them i would try doing a google search

im in the uk and i think i got mine from boots.

i will have a look and get back to you

If you don't want the quicks to get that long, you should trimming the tips yourself at least once a week. Thsi will help the quick to retract. You do NOT want to run your dog on pavement when they are freshly cut, however, if you trim close to the quick. This will cause bleeding.

What the dremel does is cauterize the quick if you hit it on accident to diminish bleeding.  I certainly would not  recommend using it to shorten a quick deliberately, I imagine that would be quite painful for your dog.