Really Long Nails: what to do?? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Samc · 09-15-2005, 02:23 PM

Bailey's nails are out of control. I am ok trimming them, but they have grown out pretty far so that getting them back to whatever normal is requires cutting into the nerve, bleeding, etc. I don't want to do that.

Is an option going to a vet, putting my boy under and then doing the deed?

HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Bailey and Samc

Passionfruition · 09-15-2005, 02:49 PM

Even if you take him to the vet I'm sure they wouldn't put him under and they would be able to trim them without making him bleed. PetSmart or other grooming services could also probably help you with this. (You should avoid anesthesia until 100% necessary.)

If you are willing to trim them yourself, just trim a tiny bit off....just the end, and then take him on a long walk - on concrete. This will file them back more. If you want (if he'll let you) you can even take a nailfile to them a little more.

I just trimmed Sully's crazy-long claws on Tuesday afternoon and I actually used a fingernail clipper....the one I use on myself, that was in my purse. It isn't big enough to really trim his whole claw....but I just took a little bit off at a time with my fingernail clipper and I think it actually made the process easier and less-likely to trim his claws into the quick, etc. After I trimmed back a little bit on each one, I used a nail file to smooth them out.

alaskayorkie · 09-15-2005, 02:52 PM

Vet told us that when they get real long, trim just a little at a time. The nerve endings (that bleed) slowly recede. Then in a few days, trim a little more.

SilverStarShado · 09-15-2005, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Vet told us that when they get real long, trim just a little at a time. The nerve endings (that bleed) slowly recede. Then in a few days, trim a little more.

This is also what they had to do when my mother had her cocker spaniel(rip) cut just alittle and then in a few days cut more ...keep doing this till they get back to normal.

troubletb · 09-15-2005, 02:56 PM

Listen to PassionFruition, that is the only way. As the nail grows so does the vein. If you trim a little bit today, then file some in a few days and keep going every other day or so. You get get them back into shape. The problem with yorkies is their black nails you can not see the vein. White toe nails you can..
Good luck!

Hamoth · 09-15-2005, 04:02 PM

Be careful with petsmart groomers. They cut Chewy's crazy long nails all the way back without any consideration of the quick. Now we have a really hard time getting anywhere NEAR his nails.

angie h · 09-15-2005, 05:22 PM

i need to find a way to get my chewie to settle down long enough to let me near his toes. i can't hold on to his feet long enough to see them it freaks me out.

ldenise · 09-15-2005, 08:18 PM

maybe you can have someone hold Bailey upright close to their chest to make it easier to control while you clip.

shecass · 09-15-2005, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamoth

Be careful with petsmart groomers. They cut Chewy's crazy long nails all the way back without any consideration of the quick. Now we have a really hard time getting anywhere NEAR his nails.

I take Mollie to Petsmart all the time to get hers done and I've never had a problem. It probably just depends on the people at each individual location.

ANGEL-YORKIES · 09-15-2005, 10:00 PM

How about the Nail Grinder Kit by Oster which is available at Petsmart? I was thinking of getting that for my two yorkies and just filing their nails each week. I saw it in the store for $59.99 but at Petsmart.com it is $49.99.

Ash · 09-15-2005, 10:54 PM

ANGEL-YORKIES

I use a dremel I bought at Home Depot (don't remember for how much) that works well on the yorks as well as my larger mixed breed. The thing to be wary of with the grinders is that they will get HOT; you need to repeatedly "tap" the nail rather than hold the grinding edge against the nail. Alternatively, using a grinder will get you closer to the nail's quick if you're looking to shorten the nail. It will also cauterize any bleeding should you hit the quick. It also makes the nail nice and smooth, so you don't get any of those freshly-trimmed-nails scratches!

Angie H

Try just playing with him on your lap without the clippers. Gently rub and pet him all along his body, working your way down the legs and grasping the paws. Give him lots of praise/treats and release him BEFORE he becomes uncomfortable. Cutting the quick is pretty painful, so it's only understandable that he doesn't want someone handling his paws again. Lots of treats and doing it in a very casual, non-threatening way will start to grow some positive associations and enable easier nail clipping in the future.

~Ash

Samc · 09-16-2005, 08:16 AM

Thank you all for your advice. That is why Yorkie talk is such a great asset.

Regards to all!!

Sam

bubbles4blossom · 09-17-2005, 11:45 AM

Talking about nails do any of you file your yorkies nails after you cut them?I do so there not so sharp.Silly huh?

Heather

Passionfruition · 09-17-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbles4blossom

Talking about nails do any of you file your yorkies nails after you cut them?I do so there not so sharp.Silly huh?

No, not silly.....very smart! I do this also after I cut Sully's nails.....and I learned about this idea from YT!

HisNameIsHarley · 09-18-2005, 05:28 PM

If the nails have grown out to be really long you want to file or clip them down very slowly. That way the veins have time to grow back w/ the nail. If you cut to short they will definately bleed. You could always call your vet for their opinion. I know it's tricky to trim when their nails are black. Good luck!

09-15-2005, 02:23 PM	#1
Samc Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 93	Really Long Nails: what to do?? Bailey's nails are out of control. I am ok trimming them, but they have grown out pretty far so that getting them back to whatever normal is requires cutting into the nerve, bleeding, etc. I don't want to do that. Is an option going to a vet, putting my boy under and then doing the deed? HELP!!!!!!!!!! Bailey and Samc

09-15-2005, 02:49 PM	#2
Passionfruition Proud of my Sully! Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: beautiful CHARLESTON, S.C. Posts: 5,434	Even if you take him to the vet I'm sure they wouldn't put him under and they would be able to trim them without making him bleed. PetSmart or other grooming services could also probably help you with this. (You should avoid anesthesia until 100% necessary.) If you are willing to trim them yourself, just trim a tiny bit off....just the end, and then take him on a long walk - on concrete. This will file them back more. If you want (if he'll let you) you can even take a nailfile to them a little more. I just trimmed Sully's crazy-long claws on Tuesday afternoon and I actually used a fingernail clipper....the one I use on myself, that was in my purse. It isn't big enough to really trim his whole claw....but I just took a little bit off at a time with my fingernail clipper and I think it actually made the process easier and less-likely to trim his claws into the quick, etc. After I trimmed back a little bit on each one, I used a nail file to smooth them out. __________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - I love my Sully (the Wonderdog!)

09-15-2005, 02:52 PM	#3
alaskayorkie Race to 7,000 champ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 11,191 Blog Entries: 28	Vet told us that when they get real long, trim just a little at a time. The nerve endings (that bleed) slowly recede. Then in a few days, trim a little more. __________________ Meet Eddie and Jack: www.dogster.com/?159686 YouTube vids: http://www.youtube.com/alaskayorkie Picture site: http://web.mac.com/mlewishome

09-15-2005, 02:56 PM	#5
troubletb Love my Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Port Richey, Florida Posts: 2,276	Listen to PassionFruition, that is the only way. As the nail grows so does the vein. If you trim a little bit today, then file some in a few days and keep going every other day or so. You get get them back into shape. The problem with yorkies is their black nails you can not see the vein. White toe nails you can.. Good luck! __________________ Karen~ Bell, Lilly and Peter's Mom http://www.freewebs.com/floridayorkies/

09-15-2005, 08:18 PM	#8
ldenise YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rancho Viejo, Tx Posts: 2,693	maybe you can have someone hold Bailey upright close to their chest to make it easier to control while you clip. __________________ Buckeye, Ahia, Tressie, Archie & LDenise Dogs are really people with short legs in fur coats

09-15-2005, 04:02 PM	#6
Hamoth YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 354	Be careful with petsmart groomers. They cut Chewy's crazy long nails all the way back without any consideration of the quick. Now we have a really hard time getting anywhere NEAR his nails.

09-15-2005, 05:22 PM	#7
angie h Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: michigan Posts: 51	i need to find a way to get my chewie to settle down long enough to let me near his toes. i can't hold on to his feet long enough to see them it freaks me out.

09-15-2005, 10:00 PM	#10
ANGEL-YORKIES Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 13	How about the Nail Grinder Kit by Oster which is available at Petsmart? I was thinking of getting that for my two yorkies and just filing their nails each week. I saw it in the store for $59.99 but at Petsmart.com it is $49.99.

09-15-2005, 10:54 PM	#11
Ash Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 10	ANGEL-YORKIES I use a dremel I bought at Home Depot (don't remember for how much) that works well on the yorks as well as my larger mixed breed. The thing to be wary of with the grinders is that they will get HOT; you need to repeatedly "tap" the nail rather than hold the grinding edge against the nail. Alternatively, using a grinder will get you closer to the nail's quick if you're looking to shorten the nail. It will also cauterize any bleeding should you hit the quick. It also makes the nail nice and smooth, so you don't get any of those freshly-trimmed-nails scratches! Angie H Try just playing with him on your lap without the clippers. Gently rub and pet him all along his body, working your way down the legs and grasping the paws. Give him lots of praise/treats and release him BEFORE he becomes uncomfortable. Cutting the quick is pretty painful, so it's only understandable that he doesn't want someone handling his paws again. Lots of treats and doing it in a very casual, non-threatening way will start to grow some positive associations and enable easier nail clipping in the future. ~Ash

09-16-2005, 08:16 AM	#12
Samc Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 93	Thank you all for your advice. That is why Yorkie talk is such a great asset. Regards to all!! Sam

09-17-2005, 11:45 AM	#13
bubbles4blossom YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Liberty Center Ohio Posts: 252	Talking about nails do any of you file your yorkies nails after you cut them?I do so there not so sharp.Silly huh? Heather

09-18-2005, 05:28 PM	#15
HisNameIsHarley YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,110	If the nails have grown out to be really long you want to file or clip them down very slowly. That way the veins have time to grow back w/ the nail. If you cut to short they will definately bleed. You could always call your vet for their opinion. I know it's tricky to trim when their nails are black. Good luck! __________________ LeeAnn Harley Remember.. Dog is God Spelled Backwards