trimming nails

[kailee]

Hello everyone,

I need advise about nails trimmings. My pig's nails are long, and i have 'examined' them. His red veins in his nails are very visible and i can judge how much to trim.

But the problem lies with, the part that doesn't have any vein is just 2 to 3 cm long. It is so short.

How am i to trim them? It is just a tiny bit of nail. And it is so near the vein. Can i file the nails instead?

[This message has been edited by kailee (edited 01-07-2001).]

[Trin]

If the nails are only grown just slightly beyond the 'quick' or vein then don't trim them at all. The nails usually only need to be trimmed when they are very long or start growing in odd directions. If you try to trim or even file them you will probably hit the quick and boy, does it bleed. Guinea pig nails seem to look long when they aren't actually that bad. Some people suggest putting a brick in the cage for the pig to run over, it helps trim the nails.

[kailee]

Thanks Trin.

Yes, the nails seems long. Very when i further examine them, i can see the veins, which are very long too.

His nails are not in odd directions though, but when i carry him, it hurts my hands as the nails are too sharp. He does run around in my house, but that do seem to help much.

Maybe i will try to let him run on some bricks and rougher surfaces. What do you do to your pigs when their nails are sharp?

[Trin]

Well you could either clip off the very very tip or file it but just be very careful. I made the mistake once of cutting too far down on my pig who has black nails( You can't see the quick) and what a shreik from the poor dear. They bleed like crazy! If you do decide to do a little trim have some flour on hand in a small bowl beside you to dip the nail in if it does bleed. it helps stop the bleeding.

[pigluva]

When my piggies nails get too long I use a dog nail trimmer. Just be sure not to hit the quick. Its real fast and my pigs dont seem to mind it.