OMG Poor Emma!!

[DogLover9501]

Originally posted by sirrahbed
Jen - could you give Robyn some pointers on clipping that nail herself?

Robyn - you are going to be a vet and I bet you can do this I think it might still be a good idea to follow-up later with a vet in case she needs antibiotic but if not infected - peroxide and then Emma herself will keep it clean I would think.

I don't think I can do it, Debbie. She'll barely let me look at it, and last night I touched it a bit to see if it was actually into her paw pad and it started bleeding. I can't imagine how much it would bleed if it was pulled out?

[jenluckenbach]

SURE, it is easy. You need a scissor type clipper though because it has to open wide (since the tip is imbedded you won't be able to slip the clipper up the length of the nail)

Most cat's claws are light enough in color for you to distinguish the quick (blood vessel)

Clip closer to the tip than to the toe, this should prevent you from hitting the blood vessel.

Then just pull the nail out of the skin and discard.

Wash it with peroxide.

EDIT the peroxide will help with the bleeding as well.

[DogLover9501]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
SURE, it is easy. You need a scissor type clipper though because it has to open wide (since the tip is imbedded you won't be able to slip the clipper up the length of the nail)

Most cat's claws are light enough in color for you to distinguish the quick (blood vessel)

Clip closer to the tip than to the toe, this should prevent you from hitting the blood vessel.

Then just pull the nail out of the skin and discard.

Wash it with peroxide.

EDIT the peroxide will help with the bleeding as well.

I don't think I'd be able to do it myself It looks as if all the nail thats out is quick, the entire tip must be in her paw. It looks pretty bad, so I'd rather not try that.

I feel so stupid-it could have been like this for a while

[sirrahbed]

aw Robyn - how would you have known if Emma did not start limping? Please do not feel like it is your fault! I am wondering if maybe that one claw is a bit deformed to curl that much?? Remember Mina is one kitty with claws so bad that they had to be removed.

I still think you could give it a go, Robyn. But - only if you are feeling more confident.

(((HUGS)))

[DogLover9501]

Thanks, Debbie ((((Hugs))))

I called another vet, got an answering machine saying they re-open at 2pm. It's 1:40 or so. We're just going to leave and go on down there, they should see her if we just walk in.

Please think of Emmie

[furrykidsmother]

Don't feel bad, I don't think I could do it either. Primarily because when they get them clipped at the vet, the vet has all they can do to get those paws out and nails extended and that is with one of us holding them. Maybe if we had done this when they were kittens, but we didn't.

[DogLover9501]

Ack! We went to the other vet, and the receptionist was there, but the vet is gone on maturnity leave!!

I guess we'll be waiting until Thursday

[Lacey]

Yipe! That's a long wait! You might want to try getting the nail clipped yourself. It really isn't hard, especially if you could get someone to hold Emma for you. Or you could hold her and get someone else to clip.

Also, since the vets are all booked up, you could try to find a groomer to take care of the nail. Surely there's a vet or groomer in your area that accepts walk-ins - especially for something like this that'll take two minutes tops (assuming Emma is a little wiggle worm with a tendency to jerk the paw away just before you snip).

[rg_girlca]

OMG, I can't believe your vet is making you wait until Thursday.
Poor sweet Emma.

I hope you are able to find someone else who can take care of this sooner.

[kittycats_delight]

Robyn, I am sending you a PM with my old Vet's number in St. John's. He is the best in the province and all the vet's that work within his practice are amazing. I can bet they will get Emma in tomorrow.

[DogLover9501]

Thanks everyone!

I'm going to call the vet that Michelle PMd about tomorrow. I remember going to that vet, and it's great

Thanks, Michelle!

[catnapper]

Ack, I was hoping to come for a happy update. I hope the other vet will be available tomorrow. If not, could you try taking her to a groomer - and they could trim her nails for you in the meantime? I'm sure they have something ot stop the bleeding if they cut the quick.

[Laura's Babies]

Geez, I would be in panic mode by now and screaming "SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING FOR MY BABY!!!!"

If all else fails, call a local shelter or rescue group and explaine the situation and that you know NOTHING about clipping nails.. See if anybody at one of those places will help you.

[luvofallhorses]

I hope she is better soon! ((Emma))

[DogLover9501]

I, too, hope they will see her tomorrow!

I'm keeping her paw clean for now, as there was some litter around it.

She doesn't seem to care at all about her nail/paw.

Originally posted by Laura's Babies
Geez, I would be in panic mode by now and screaming "SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING FOR MY BABY!!!!"

I would be the exact same way if it seemed to be hurting her, but she is playing and jumping around like normal.