Aggravated with the length of time it takes me to grind Maya's nails, I pulled out the clippers last night and chopped one too short. Besides a little yip, it didn't slow her down. But I was horrified with the blood, and felt guilty. The gel I had bought to slow down the bleeding didn't help, so I'll try to cornstarch trick I discovered from good old Leerburg if this happens again.
When Maya was outside in the snow this morning, I noticed her pulling her paw up with the short nail and hobbling a bit. Is there something I can do to help her out with the nail sensitivity? Do I need to put neosporin on it? I'm unsure if there is any risk of infection.
Finally, I'm going back to the Dremel. It takes me so long, however, to do every nail. How long should an average session last? I'm thinking about switching to just doing a paw a day. She's a sneaky one--she'll lie down on her side, tolerate a nail or do, and then get a little squirmy, rolling on her back, putting her head in my lap, moaning in protest. Drama queen!
I dremel Falcon's nails once a week... he would lie there for an hour as long as give a small tidbit / treat after each nail. I don't give much - just a tiny piece and then go on to the next nail. Works like a charm for him! Until she gets more tolerant, I would keep the sessions short and end with a "jackpot" of goodies.
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
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I would just leave it be. It should heal itself in less than a week and unless you have dirty filthy ground (like a pig pen) that she reguarly walks in I wouldn't worry about infection.
If it is a pretty dirty foot you can do a warm epsom salt bath for her to stand in would help.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Quote: Melissa Thom
I would just leave it be. It should heal itself in less than a week and unless you have dirty filthy ground (like a pig pen) that she reguarly walks in I wouldn't worry about infection.
If it is a pretty dirty foot you can do a warm epsom salt bath for her to stand in would help.
She doesn't walk around a dirty surface, but Maya has become fond of eating frozen poop (another post for another time). I worried about her transferring germs by licking her wounds. Should that be a concern?
The salt bath sounds like a good solution. Neosporin gets quickly rubbed/licked off.
Natalya Zahn Webboard User Reg: 12-22-2006
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Quote: Carolyn Pinkerto
SI worried about her transferring germs by licking her wounds. Should that be a concern?
The salt bath sounds like a good solution.
I'm amazed at how quickly cuts (even relatively deep ones) in Oscar's pads have healed on their own, without infection, after only an initial thorough cleaning by me. The epsom salt soak sounds like a nice treatment, but I wouldn't get too worried about infection from something like this in a healthy young dog. That nail has already started healing...
And in regards to nail trimming - I still like the clipper route (not the guillotine style but the hefty plier type) - and I have a dog with black toenails! We keep weekly sessions as short as possible and take a very small sliver off at a time.
Reg: 08-24-2005
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I also have a dog with black nails that I clip. And, always have some styptic powder on hand to control bleeding. It has worked for me on the few occasions that I needed it.
The warm epsom salt baths were recommended to me by the vet. She had a 2 inch rusty nail through her foot. This happened at a field in a park at a full run ... or else, I don't think it would have gone in as far. The baths (3 times a day for 10 minutes) were in addition to a course of antibiotics, thorough cleaning etc. In her case the vet recommended that the bath temperature be as warm as she would tolerate to increase blood flow (and, white blood cells) to the area. She grew to like them.
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Nail clipping question
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We keep weekly sessions as short as possible and take a very small sliver off at a time.
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