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612551 tn?1450022175

Dog nail trimming - methods for problem small dogs

Our Westie is difficult on anything he doesn't want to do... such as nail trimming.  He does fine in a bath, okay with a hair dryer, but gets nippy with nail trimming and brushing.

He was in for a grooming about a month ago and they had problems trimming his nails - said the dog was so upset he got a nose bleed and they had to stop.

So, I need to trim the "thumb" nail on both front feet.  They are hooking back and will be a vet problem soon I think  This nail is especially hard to reach as it is on the side of the leg, or inside upper end of the foot.  I think I have to use a nipper, not a Dremel sander and may use a muzzle for the first time.  I may still need help, unfortunately my wife's strength is limited... welcome any advice.

One piece of advice I got from a fellow terrier owner, he made a sling that has holes in it that the dog's legs stick through. He then hangs the sling from an overhead and the dog is at working level with he legs sticking out and no way to reach the hands doing the nail trimming.

I understand nail trimming on Terriers is often problematic.  
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612551 tn?1450022175
Blu, I always read your posts/replies with an eye to remember (unfortunately my mind usually fails in its job/role).  So, thanks for engaging in this "conversation", if I may use that word these days without offending the PC crowd.

I understand Povidone iodine is an organic iodine solution. It's safe, non-toxic, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-yeast.

I just purchased a Walmart brand Povidone Iodine to try that instead of vinegar for the foot bath as the iodine is also anti-yeast.

I have on good "web advice" I need to dilute the povidone iodine with water to the color of iced tea.  I will go weak iced tea to start unless I get more specific advice here (e.g., one cup per gallon for example).  

This thread is taking an expanded life of its own, and I suppose I should start a new thread (or resurrect one of my several past threads dealing with yeast infections and paw licking).  But for now I'll stick with this to see where it goes.

Thanks.
Helpful - 0
1696489 tn?1370821974
Hi.  I made that comment about anesthesia before I knew you were able to use a muzzle.  I suggested that a dremel for nails is not good because this is what I have been taught.  Obviously, I learned something new here.  Blessings - Blu
Helpful - 0
974371 tn?1424653129
Sounds like the Vet tech for got the dew claws.  It takes a while for them to get that bad.  Some years ago, a neighbor had a Llasa mix ( her husband was a doctor and didn't want Vet bills!!). Anyway, she brought the dog over because it had a sore foot.  After some inspection, I saw the dew claw had grown back into the pad!  I have a few surgical instruments here I keep in a kit for whelping puppies.  Wrapped the dog securely in a towel, had her hold it and I was able to slip thin clippers in there, clipped it and got it out, not a drop of blood.  Washed it good and trimmed the other one.  Poor dog, that had to hurt.  Told her to soak it for a few days and she had some antibiotics.
People often miss dew claws on long-haired dogs.
Depending on the breed, most dogs have front dew claws and may or may not have rear dew claws.  Most breeders will remove, or have the Vet remove, rear dew claws.  Often an indication of a back yard breeder to see rear, and sometimes double dew claws left on.  
Glad you are trying the vinegar on the feet.  Let me know how that goes.
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
Blu, I always appreciate your expertise and recommendations, but don't plan to go for the anesthetization for nail trimming, that has its own risks.  Of course when he is under for something, and he has been a couple of times in the past 12 months, the vet does a nail trimming.  That said, I wonder why his Dew nails were in such bad shape.

I wonder how long it takes a properly trimmed Dew to grow out such that it curled  back and is beginning to touch the leg and ready to start the ingrown problem.. they were sharp on the tip too.  I find it hard to believe the vet technician overlooked the Dews but it looks like that is possible.

I have used the Dremel and he being hard of hearing doesn't hear the noise, just feels the vibration.  I did some removal with the Dremel a few months back, and he was difficult only in trying to pull his paw back.  But I do worry abut the heat the sanding can generate.  

He is only resistive to a bath, no growling or snaps, and even takes a good bit of hair drier time before he will take a snap at the drier (not my hand).  I think the hair drier experience makes him not alarmed by the Dremel.. but he as most dogs has sensitive feet.

I purchased the scissor-type clippers to do his Dew nails - it appears he doesn't have rear Dew nails.  These were hard to cut on the front because they were hooked back and about to go back into the leg.  I did not hit the quick, no blood.  There was no way to use a Dremel on those.  The Dews need another small clip or two, being careful to not cut the quick.

The just passed muzzle trimming was a short session and I gave him some loving hugging down on the floor before I took the muzzle off and he helped me get it off but turned in a loving way toward me when the muzzle came off.

The Westie breeder/shower who rescued our Westie told me it take two people to trim nails on her dogs - she has at least two, and one person simply holds the dog down while the other clips the nails.

I have started washing our dogs feet when he comes in from outside (this is the dog with the licking/yeast problems especially on his feet and legs).  I'm using diluted vinegar - he is impatient but does let me handle his feet to get between the toes and to dry his feet with a towel.  No growling or snapping.

I am a full believer in giving treats and have a problem not being too easy a "mark" for treats.  But with this guy I can't give him most treats because of fear of allergic reactions.  I just ordered some Salmon strip treats.. this is what his major protein is: Salmon and Sweet Potato Kibble and Canned food.  He likes the canned food enough I can use a teaspoon of it as a treat.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
When I do my dogs nails, she lays on her side, and after each nail  I have to give her a piece of a treat.  Shes still terrible, but it helps a little.
Helpful - 0
974371 tn?1424653129
Blu, I have used clippers and Dremels on dog's nails for years, "however", most were my own dogs that were used to this procedure.  It is actually easier because you can see the quick.
It can be traumatic to dogs that are not used to it.  I have a rescue Chi-mix here that is horrible when it comes to nails and after one try, I don't even try to use the Dremel on her.  You do have to be careful with long hair dogs as you can catch the hair.
Helpful - 0
1696489 tn?1370821974
Jerry, PLEASE do not use a dremel tool on your dogs nails!  It is very dangerous to do so, as you have little control over exactly what you are removing, and it is likely to cause your dog more stress because it doesn't feel good and it's scary.  Blessings - Blu
Helpful - 0
1696489 tn?1370821974
EEEKKK!  Your furbaby is experiencing WAY too much stress for this to be done under any circumstances but anesthesia.  I know this is expensive.  But it is much better than fighting a scared dog.  Please look into this method before trying to do it yourself!  Blessings - Blu
Helpful - 0
974371 tn?1424653129
Jerry, those are the dew claws and will grow back into the leg.  Glad you had some success.  Maybe try a nail file
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
Update, I noticed when my dog lies on his side it fully exposes the problem nail.  So, I got down on the floor with him and tried to clip the "thumb nail".. it was hooded around so far it looked to be starting to poke back into the leg - could be part of the foot/leg licking/chewing problem?  But, after some poor starts to get the nipper over the hook he stated show teeth and growling... so I used the muzzle, worked great.  He continued to growl and show teeth (as much as he could given the hold the muzzle had on his mouth) but I was able to take two nips, trying a little at a time to not cut the quick.  I may take more off later.

He seemed to hold no grudges and was friendly as soon as I took the muzzle off, it was on no more than 2 minutes.

This may be the way forward, and I plan to use the Dremel on the big nails.
Helpful - 0
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