I am a bad mommy.

[phylny]

Last edited Wed Apr 11, 2012, 08:16 PM - Edit history (1)

Due to my work schedule, I haven't been able to walk the dogs as much as I know I should. One of the bad side effects is that their nails are very long. I have a dremel and I use it less than I should (this is all the "bad mommy" part).

They both need their teeth cleaned. I'm going to ask the vet, but I want to ask here - does anyone know how painful it would be to have their nails cut and cauterized while they're under anesthesia for the teeth cleaning? Or, should I just dremel them twice a week and have it continue to take forever?

I vow to not let this happen again, but the dremel is agonizingly slow, even though it's a good one.

Any info is appreciated.

[BTennyson]

1. Why

would nails being clipped also need cauterization?
That's odd.
I would stick to you doing the dremel.
I brush my dog's teeth. Started when he was a pup and we make it a game.
I don't like the idea of anesthesia just for a routine cleaning. Extractions yes.....but just cleaning?
Nope. No way.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. My vet always cuts my cat's nails

whenever he is under anesthesia. I don't know why they would have to be cauterized if they are cut---what is the point of that?

[phylny]

3. Cautery would be needed because

they'd need to cut into the quick, no?

[elleng]

4. Maybe, but why would that be necessary?

P.S., you are NOT a bad mommy, just human.

[BTennyson]

5. No way

Should the nail be clipped into the quick. The nail is clipped to the quick not in it. Of course if the nail is dark and the quick is hard to identify then maybe it could happen. The best way to see where the quick ends on darker nails you turn the paw over and the quick ending is easier to identify.
I would freak if my vet had to cauterize all of my boys' nails.
Besides.......it's painful to animals for the quick to bleed. Similar to a human's nail being picked up and bent backwards.

[get the red out]

6. My dog has dark nails

And the vet and groomer either one can clip her's, and they are careful not to get the quick. Once the vet did clip the quick a little and they put some powder on it to stop the bleeding and told me to watch to see if it kept bleeding. It didn't though, she was fine.

I clipped her nails as a pup and caught the quick and saw that tiny nail bleed and my heart hurt so bad that I've been taking her to have it done by professionals ever since. I tried the grinding gadget but she runs from the noise.