[Penny Arcade]

Well, it finally happened. We accidentally cut one of Penny's nails too deep after her bath tonight. Her owners before NEVER clipped her nails, so they were really overgrown. I read somewhere that if they aren't kept trimmed properly, then the quick and grow out even more and make it easier to cut into.

We, of course, freaked out because she bled so much. Penny, however, didn't even seem to notice. She didn't cry out and she's not limping or anything. She especially didn't mind when she got several treats and her favorite bone after we got her cleaned up lol.

So. Anything I should look out for? I was thinking of putting some antibiotic cream on it, but I'm sure she'll just lick it off so I haven't done it.

 

[Mikey T]

the risk of infection is extremely remote.


You are correct the the quick gets longer as the nail do by clipping frequently and close to the quick they will reced over time, the other thing is next time the dog in in for a vet procedure to put her under. Have them trim back the nail wnen she is under. Sometime it is the only way to get back to a reasonable length.

 

[Penny Arcade]

She's getting spayed at a mobile vet unit on Wednesday, so I'll ask them then when we drop her off. If not, the groomer at Petsmart said they'd clip her nails and clean out her ears for $9 so I'll just take her there when she recovers. Thanks!

 

[Mikey T]

the advantage of doing while the dog is under is they can clip every nail past the quick without causing the dog pain and traumitizing it for the next nail clip. One the quick is shortened this way it will remain that way unless the nails are left to grow to long.

Petsmart or any other groomer has the same limitation as you do stoping short of the quick nail clipping has to be very frequent multiple time a week to cause the quick to recede in most bassets. whem clipping short of the quick

 

[Esther]

keep some of this stuff handy:
Kwik Stop Styptic Powder at PETCO

 

[Mikey T]

flour and/or bar soap work in a pinch

 

[Soundtrack]

If you are able to do the nails yourself, there is no need to go to a groomer. Even the best groomer will still occasionally clip nails too short. And so will you, unless you're being so cautious that the amount of nail you remove is negligible. The main thing is to try to avoid cutting them too short too often, don't make a fuss over it (dogs are more likely to be "traumatized" by your reaction than by the actual cutting of the quick), and keep a styptic powder on hand. You'll get better at it, and lots of rewards and bellyrubs will help to reassure her that overall nail clipping is not such a bad thing.

When you bring her for the spay, emphasize that you want them really, really short - my vet never takes them short enough. I was recently watching a grooming video by one of the top handlers in the breed, and he mentioned that it's the same quick whether you cut it at the end or back near the toe, so if you're going to cut them you might as well whack them *right* back.

 

[BassetHoundHank]

I'm glad I saw this thread Just cut Hank's nails and I ended up cutting one of the nail's on his back paw too short, so lately he has been very skiddish when people try to play with his paws. I'll have to go get some of that styptic powder in the meantime..

 

[Mikey T]

so lately he has been very skiddish when people try to play with his paws

while that is a possiblility for the most part basset in general tend to sensitive at the feet. dogs that never had a nial cut too short will do this as well. I highly recomend desensitising a puppy to nail triming

Nail Trimming for Senisitve Dogs

Good Behavior During Grooming

 

[Penny Arcade]

If you are able to do the nails yourself, there is no need to go to a groomer.

I wanna get her quick down before we attempt it again. Well, my boyfriend does. He was really shaken up since she bled so much and he thinks he hurt her. She's fine, but he's scared he'll hurt her now. I think if we can get the vet to trim them when they fix her Wednesday, that'll make them short enough to give him the confidence to do it again.

 

[SophieB]

I have clipped our Bassets' nails and nipped the quick and was told to pack the cut/bleeding area with cornflour or flour and it absorbs the blood and won't do any harm.

I wish I had taken the advice of my Basset breeder friend when I got my two girls, who came with such neat little nails!!! He said to snip tiny bits off their nails once a week and they'll be so used to it by the time they are adult and their nails will stay neat and it will be part of their routine!

I am horrified at times when I see some Basset photos, or YouTube clips, where their nails look as though they would hurt the dog as it walks as they are sooo long!