Need advice on cutting nails

[biggflintmi]

Hello all. I have a beagle and he has little claws which are dew claws or something. We took him to the vet after we got him for the humane society and he said just leave them be. Now his nails are longer and they curled over and it looks like its going into his skin. I want to cut them but I dont even like cutting their regular nails. Im always afraid im going to hurt them and my rott always pulls her paws away when i try. I dont know what to do. The nail cutters i have slip over the nail so i cant even cut it because i cant get to the end.Please help me.

 

[biggflintmi]

No suggestions?

 

[Giny]

If they've grown into the skin then a vet would be your best bet. They'd be able to tell you if it's infected or not.

After you can take care of it best with the scissor type nail clippers. It's much easier to cut then the guillotine nail clippers.

 

[biggflintmi]

I dont think its broke thru the skin. It doesnt bother him when i touch it.Cant they bleed to death if you cut their nails wrong? Thank you for replying.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

you can use an emery board --takes longer, but is gentler, and you won't cut something by mistake. I wouldn't suggest doing all the nails this way, since it is time consuming and I don't think the dog would wait--but try it on the dew claws. I do this, since Baxter is pretty sensitive to nail trims--so I keep up on them with an emery board.

 

[Xerxes]

In the past I have used human type toenail trimmers to "tip" the dogs' nails and use them exclusively for the cat's claws.

If the claws have grown all the way around, I agree that a vet or even a groomer might be the best and safest bet.

 

[squirtsmom]

I would have the vet do it. I would be afraid of hurting the dog/. I don't know anything about clipping nails. We have them do it when she gets her bimonthly bath/.

 

[BostonBanker]

Cant they bleed to death if you cut their nails wrong? Thank you for replying.

He's not going to bleed to death unless he's got some serious health issues going on. Yes, it hurts and bleeds if you cut the quick, so you should avoid it, but it won't kill him. Have some QuikStop or some other styptic powder while you are clipping; if you do cut a quick, you can press the end of the nail into the powder and it will stop the bleeding much faster.

If you don't want to cut it (and I don't blame you; it took me forever to be comfortable), go to a groomer. Most will do just a nail clipping for just 10 or 15 dollars. Have them show you how to do it if you want to learn. I stressed myself out about clipping nails for ages, and then finally went ahead and started. I got a bit of blood one time (out of probably 150 nails done); I'm assuming I just barely hit the quick, as she didn't even flinch. I just noticed the drop of blood coming out the end.

 

[biggflintmi]

Thanks for all of the replys guys.

 

[biggflintmi]

For some reason this thread is not in my user cp. Anyone have any suggestions as to why or what im doing wrong.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I think you have to choose to subscribe..

What colour are the nails? If they are light you should be able to see the difference in the nails like you can on a person.. so you can tell what needs to be clipped off.. If black, cut a sliver of nail a day with clippers..

My one cocker has front dew claws. Pain in the butt because she has long fur.. Once under control I'd do them weekly.. every other at maximum to keep them in check since they don't get ground down at all through running around or walks on sidewalk.

 

[biggflintmi]

Thanks for the reply and the info on the dog. Do i have to subscribe even if i started it? How do i subscribe?

 

[biggflintmi]

So is the darker part of the nail the quick?