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Post by Klarissa on Aug 20, 2015 19:51:27 GMT -5
I have a pedi paw, and for dogs it sucks. It has a governor on it, so when you apply pressure it stops. My dogs don't mind the sound, its just going to take 20 minutes per paw & runs on D batteries.
For my dogs I use a dremel tool very, very, very carefully. The pedi paw would work well for ferrets though (might try it tonight actually & will post results). Ferrets nails are shorter & thinner.
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Post by Celene on Aug 20, 2015 20:03:59 GMT -5
They look like normal ferret nails to me! Just cut so the flat part will be parallel to the ground. (Photo from google images)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2015 20:10:54 GMT -5
When the nails have that weird buildup, its basically already flat. He flinches when I try to pull away the buildup that flakes off, so I leave it.
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Post by Celene on Aug 20, 2015 20:42:07 GMT -5
My girls didn't really need their nails trimmed yet, but I figured for the purposes of education they could sit and eat salmon oil for a minute. Mocha has very long, slender fingers and long nails like Marty. They are also pretty thick. I got this one here with a flash so you can see the outline (because otherwise her nails blend in with her fur) After the trim: In comparison, Nova has little round bear paws. You can see that the quick is very short - if you let the nails grow too long before trimming, the quick grows out with it. With regular trims the quick recedes to a manageable length These are her nails when I let them get a little too long before a trim:
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2015 21:05:11 GMT -5
That's not what I'm talking about with thickness... You see how there's that extra bit lower than the curve of the nail? normally that goes straight out to the tip of the nail, making the bottom flat. I did trim up that paw after the picture, but the hind claws are still too short to trim.
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Post by FireAngel on Aug 20, 2015 22:31:58 GMT -5
I did notice the extra little bit youre talking about and I wonder if Marty could have a fungal infection? When you talk about thick flaking nails that makes me think fungus.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2015 23:37:18 GMT -5
His paws are kept clean and its been like that since I got him. What are the other signs of fungal infection that would cause this? The vet didn't mention anything like it.
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Post by FireAngel on Aug 21, 2015 10:29:00 GMT -5
Fungal infection signs are, thickening, yellowing, falking or crumbling of the nail. It can be only one nail or it could be many. There are other things that cause thickening of the nails and things that cause them to be brittle. Are the nails brittle and are chipping or is there a build up on them that flakes or sloughs off?
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Post by Klarissa on Aug 21, 2015 11:51:37 GMT -5
So, I used the pedi paw with Bear & the help of my hubby this morning. It worked quite well, but unless you have a super complacent ferret, or he is head over heels for some treat, its a two (wo)man operation. Before (they were in need of a trim) After It works well if you're concerned about cutting the quick, since you can watch the nail shorten. I took off the plastic guard, as it was too limiting with such little nails. I was also able to do two nails at a time (I would definitely start with one nail at a time until you & your ferret get used to it). You can press a little harder too, without causing the sander to stop. By taking off the plastic guard you get more use out of the sand paper too, because you can use the entire width of it. It took about 5 minutes to do her front paws (with breaks, since she doesn't have a fave treat yet).
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2015 12:19:42 GMT -5
the buildup is the only part that flakes off. The nail itself is strong, never flakes or chips.
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Post by unclejoe on Aug 21, 2015 13:30:57 GMT -5
Those claws are DEFINITELY in need of a trim. Weekly is a great idea so they don't get that long anymore. Weekly is best, especially if you set aside time on a certain day every week. Even if you only need to take a little off every week. Having two that look after ours, they get inspected a lot more often than that. @celene: ferret nails are so fine and flexible from side to side, I'd be scared it would take too long. Klarissa: Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Post by FireAngel on Aug 21, 2015 14:44:38 GMT -5
the buildup is the only part that flakes off. The nail itself is strong, never flakes or chips. Your vet does not seem concerned with this or have any suggestions as to what it could be? Is it on every nail?
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Post by crazylady on Aug 21, 2015 14:50:48 GMT -5
Hi Let me set your mind at rest its not a fungal infection its an overgrowth of nail that is all ( kind of like a human who gets dry nails that split easily ) to prevent this after trimming nails rub in a little olive oil after every clip take the points off every 10-14 days if you have difficulty clipping have someone hold them by the scruff while you clip a bleed on a nail can easily be stopped using a little corn starch ( a little blood goes a long long way and often looks worse than it is ) hope this helps take care bye for now Bev
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2015 14:54:11 GMT -5
Thanks, I'll try the olive oil next time!
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Post by lyles on Aug 21, 2015 14:57:28 GMT -5
You don't need a whole bandage like that, as long as the bleeding stopped it is fine.
I would recommend trimming that nail all the way down. The nerve and blood is no longer going to the visible part (from what I can see) and if you just cut it all the way down it will grow back from the nailbed.
As long as your ferret has it's first digit on it's toe the nail will grow back. Septic pens are really handy to have if you cut your own nails, you have to soak them in a little water to activate them and it works quickly.
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