Dogs
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- Ask The Vet: Puffiness Under A Dog's Eyes
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET ASK THE TRAINER at All Things Dog Blog Dr. Jacki AddressesKeeping Your Collie Healthy Dear Dr. Jacki: I just wrote to the trainer too. It is nice that this blog has a trainer and...
- Ask The Vet: Helping Your Senior Dog
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET (c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009 My Senior Dog, Xena Dear Dr. Jacki: I have two older dogs that are both beginning to show signs of age. One is having occasional...
- Ask The Vet: "scooter" May Be Trying To Tell You Something...
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET Scooting is a Sign of Trouble: Time to See Your Veterinarian Hello Dr. Jacki, This is a weird question, but why does my dog scoot on her bottom across the carpet...
- Ask The Vet: Adapting To The Loss Of A Family Member
Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET Find me on FacebookFollow me on Twitter Piwacket Misses Roger Dear Dr. Jacki: My father just passed away after a long battle with Alzheimers. He enjoyed his Siamese cat, Piwacket, very much. The kitty has been sleeping...
- Ask The Vet: Dog Illnesses And Their Owners
Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Dear Dr. Jacki: What human illnesses are contagious to our dogs? And how can we prevent this? As far as zoonotic diseases, I will include a link to the Centers for Disease Control at the end of the...
Dogs
ASK THE VET: Strategies for Caring for Your Dog's Nails
Dear Dr. Jacki:
Oxnard,--my mastiff, has very heavy nails. I get them clipped at a groomers because they are so hard to do. Anyway, when they are clipped they are very sharp for a long time. Sometimes he scratches himself and creates scrapes that get inflamed. A couple of times recently he scratched so much he opened up a wound and it took a long time to scab over. The groomer told me to use Bactine on it.
My question is this. Should I get his nails ground. I hear it leaves them smoother, but I don't really know if it is safe. I also wonder if it will scare him. What do you think?
Thanks, JJ
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Hi JJ….I have a few ideas that may work for Oxnard. After the nails have been clipped at the groomer, it would be nice to walk him on asphalt or concrete as this will help to smooth them a bit. Actually, walking dogs on concrete (sidewalk) or asphalt really helps the nails stay nice and short.
Some groomers offer ‘Dremeling’ which is done using a type of tool. This is probably the best way to grind the nails down but it has to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. The tool can get very hot and cause pain on the nail for the dog.He may be scared initially but he will get used to it. Maybe you could call around and ask different groomers if they Dremel nails or not. If you cannot find anyone, continue walking on the concrete. Good question!
Good luck, Dr. Jacki
Dr. Jacki, D.V.M.
ASK THE VET on All Things Dog Blog
Dr. Jacki's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian.
Good luck, Dr. Jacki
Dr. Jacki, D.V.M.
ASK THE VET on All Things Dog Blog
For more information on Dr. Jacki and her practice, you may find her at 4 Paws House Calls. A personal appointment will likely provide more specific information on your dog and your specific questions.
Dr. Jacki's opinion or advice does not replace an actual exam with a veterinarian.
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If you are interested in doing this yourself, please be sure to get proper instruction:
Want to read more of Dr. Jacki's ASK THE VET columns? Here's a few links:
Helping Your Senior Dogs
Tummy Aches and Your Dog
Scooter Might Be Trying to Tell You Something
Solutions for Dogs That Eat Pet Droppings
Solutions for Dogs That Eat Pet Droppings
- Ask The Vet: Puffiness Under A Dog's Eyes
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET ASK THE TRAINER at All Things Dog Blog Dr. Jacki AddressesKeeping Your Collie Healthy Dear Dr. Jacki: I just wrote to the trainer too. It is nice that this blog has a trainer and...
- Ask The Vet: Helping Your Senior Dog
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET (c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009 My Senior Dog, Xena Dear Dr. Jacki: I have two older dogs that are both beginning to show signs of age. One is having occasional...
- Ask The Vet: "scooter" May Be Trying To Tell You Something...
Find me on Facebook Follow me on Twitter Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET Scooting is a Sign of Trouble: Time to See Your Veterinarian Hello Dr. Jacki, This is a weird question, but why does my dog scoot on her bottom across the carpet...
- Ask The Vet: Adapting To The Loss Of A Family Member
Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET Find me on FacebookFollow me on Twitter Piwacket Misses Roger Dear Dr. Jacki: My father just passed away after a long battle with Alzheimers. He enjoyed his Siamese cat, Piwacket, very much. The kitty has been sleeping...
- Ask The Vet: Dog Illnesses And Their Owners
Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Dear Dr. Jacki: What human illnesses are contagious to our dogs? And how can we prevent this? As far as zoonotic diseases, I will include a link to the Centers for Disease Control at the end of the...