Post by loxy on Aug 22, 2014 2:51:27 GMT -8
Hey guys, need some recommendations for wearing down or clipping the claws on Bee's front paw
We were aware of Bee having a closed fracture on her front paw when we got her but as she is otherwise totally healthy we were happy to keep an eye on it. The fracture seems to have healed already and she is very comfortable with using her paw to climb, hold food, gnaw cardboard, run, dig, etc. If anything she's more agile than her mate. The only difference is she can't splay her fingers and when stood on all fours she kind of rests on the wrist rather than put it down flat.
My only concern is that her claws are going to grow out too long with the reduced friction.
I've read of putting in a terracotta pot, would that help? She still digs as things so that might work
Also read about putting down fine sandpaper to walk over. Not sure if this would work as she runs on her wrist, I don't think the claws make contact with the floor.
The complication is that she's 8 days pregnant so I'm very reluctant to take her to the vet and have her put out temporarily to get them trimmed incase she has a bad reaction. I'm also conscious of not damaging our relationship as I want her to pass on her enthusiasm of being held on to the pups which might be knocked if I try to restrain her (not to mention that I'm slightly nervous of the clipping process) This was a lot easier with my old gerbil! He was 3 years old and starting to look a little overgrown what with not moving around so much but he was so placid I could take a paw while he just sat there and carefully trim off the long ends with baby clippers.
Other than that… gerbil manicure? Haha, don't think she'd been willing to sit an chat while I file away.
Mainly just voicing my ideas and hoping you guys could recommend a plan of action.
btw, I haven't got a picture but they're not REALLY long at the moment, only ever so slightly longer than her good paw, I've only just noticed it. We check and weigh her every day. But I wanted to tackle it now before she's too delicate to handle firmly and then occupied by the pups.
We were aware of Bee having a closed fracture on her front paw when we got her but as she is otherwise totally healthy we were happy to keep an eye on it. The fracture seems to have healed already and she is very comfortable with using her paw to climb, hold food, gnaw cardboard, run, dig, etc. If anything she's more agile than her mate. The only difference is she can't splay her fingers and when stood on all fours she kind of rests on the wrist rather than put it down flat.
My only concern is that her claws are going to grow out too long with the reduced friction.
I've read of putting in a terracotta pot, would that help? She still digs as things so that might work
Also read about putting down fine sandpaper to walk over. Not sure if this would work as she runs on her wrist, I don't think the claws make contact with the floor.
The complication is that she's 8 days pregnant so I'm very reluctant to take her to the vet and have her put out temporarily to get them trimmed incase she has a bad reaction. I'm also conscious of not damaging our relationship as I want her to pass on her enthusiasm of being held on to the pups which might be knocked if I try to restrain her (not to mention that I'm slightly nervous of the clipping process) This was a lot easier with my old gerbil! He was 3 years old and starting to look a little overgrown what with not moving around so much but he was so placid I could take a paw while he just sat there and carefully trim off the long ends with baby clippers.
Other than that… gerbil manicure? Haha, don't think she'd been willing to sit an chat while I file away.
Mainly just voicing my ideas and hoping you guys could recommend a plan of action.
btw, I haven't got a picture but they're not REALLY long at the moment, only ever so slightly longer than her good paw, I've only just noticed it. We check and weigh her every day. But I wanted to tackle it now before she's too delicate to handle firmly and then occupied by the pups.