LONG NAILS
CAUSES: Living on soft grassed areas, carpets, nail and toe conformation.
Most dogs wear down their nails during their everyday routine. But, a lot of the time they do not get the opportunity to do this.
The age and shape of the dog can also make it harder for natural wearing of the nails. Some dogs have toes that do not sit flush to the ground even when trimmed. So the shape of a dogs foot (conformation) determines how well the nails will wear down naturally.
Dogs that have a concrete patio or bitumen driveway area to run around on will have a good chance of never needing their nails trimmed. Especially if they are keen on chasing and fetching a ball or stick!
Otherwise plenty of walks on rough surfaces will give the nails a rounded, well-worn smooth appearance. Small breeds, which spend a lot of their time inside often get very long nails and they usually prefer to be carried rather than having to walk!
So treat your dog like a dog, for the dog’s sake and make it walk.
You should check your dog on a regular basis all over, that way when something is different or wrong you will pick it up straight away.
The dog’s nails should be included in these checks because a long nail can keep growing and curl under the dog’s foot and back into the toe pad itself.
This is where an infection can develop.
It is very painful for the dog, as is long nails. The nail puts pressure back onto the toe joint, when the dog’s weight is on that foot it is like walking barefoot on rocks. It hurts!
At this stage it is probably best the vet trims the nail and checks the wound.
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Your vet or yourself can do this.
If you wish to learn how to do it and the nature of your dog is suitable, ask your vet or vet nurse to show you.
Then buy the trimmers they recommend.
Large breeds need heavy-duty trimmers, smaller dogs can use other styles usually less expensive. Human scissors and nail cutters are not satisfactory.
As the nails grow so does the quick (blood and nerve supply). When a long nail is trimmed back as far as possible, the blood and nerve supply will slow down its growth as well.
By repeating the trimming regularly the quick should recede and stabilise. This will allow the nails to return to a suitable, normal length. Dog’s nails which have a visible quick (nails are white and quick is pink) are a lot easier to trim than black nails.
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When trimming white nails gauge the cut a little way down from the end of the quick. If bleeding does occur use a cotton bud and apply pressure for several minutes. A product called ‘ferric chloride’ stops bleeding almost immediately.
Black nails need to be trimmed very carefully.
A trained eye and experience in judging nail shape structure and size determines the position of the quick and where best to trim.
But even the professionals can slip up.
Use a sandpaper block to smooth the rough edges when you have finished. Nail trimming does not hurt the dog but it does apply pressure to the nail, so do not dwell on one nail.
Be as sure and fast as you can.
Dogs soon learn to fear this procedure and can become aggressive especially if the nails bleed.
NAIL BED INFECTIONS
When a dog is running and playing dirt and debris often get in and around nails. Sometimes it gets into the skin where the nail grows from (nail bed).
Then an infection usually begins and causes lameness and pain.
The dog will be licking the toe involved so that will make it easier to spot.
You can bathe the toe by gently stroking in a downward fashion in a Betadine? or mild antiseptic solution.
Minor infections may clear up but it might need antibiotics, bandaging and possibly an ‘Elizabethan collar’ to prevent licking.
Veterinary treatment will have a quicker response and healing.
Author: Craig McPherson
There are always plenty of guides to grooming dogs, both in print and online. But the trick is to find the best ones!
That’s why we’ve exhaustively checked out dozens -hundreds! – of guides on the Web to find the best guides and sites out there!
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_McPherson
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