columbine
09-27-2009, 10:54 PM
Smudge does NOT want his nails cut. I can clip maybe ONE if he's totally asleep, then he bolts. He doesn't even like having his feet touched.
Tonight he was licking and licking his left thumb. I looked at it, and it looked like the nail had curled all the way around and was poking him in the pad! I couldn't even get the nail clipper around it - there was no room on the other side for them to meet on (foot too swollen).
So a little later, when he was showing me his belly and generally being cute - this is AFTER I've already made one attempt at cutting it - I took a pair of jewelry-wire clippers and started rubbing his chin with them. He rubbed his face on them while I lay my sweatshirt on top of him (which is about as much "restraint" as he'll put up with without bolting) and didn't even tense up or try to swat me as I picked up his paw AGAIN and cut the nail. Twice, when it looked like I could get a bit more. There was blood, and an awful smell. That must have HURT. But he knew I was trying to help with his problem, so he let me, with only one tiny squeak of protest.
The vet's getting a call in the morning, and I'm taking him in for his fall 100,000 meow check as well as whatever help he needs for his toe. I am prouder than ever of my brave little genius Smudge! :love:
Love, Columbine
Tonight he was licking and licking his left thumb. I looked at it, and it looked like the nail had curled all the way around and was poking him in the pad! I couldn't even get the nail clipper around it - there was no room on the other side for them to meet on (foot too swollen).
So a little later, when he was showing me his belly and generally being cute - this is AFTER I've already made one attempt at cutting it - I took a pair of jewelry-wire clippers and started rubbing his chin with them. He rubbed his face on them while I lay my sweatshirt on top of him (which is about as much "restraint" as he'll put up with without bolting) and didn't even tense up or try to swat me as I picked up his paw AGAIN and cut the nail. Twice, when it looked like I could get a bit more. There was blood, and an awful smell. That must have HURT. But he knew I was trying to help with his problem, so he let me, with only one tiny squeak of protest.
The vet's getting a call in the morning, and I'm taking him in for his fall 100,000 meow check as well as whatever help he needs for his toe. I am prouder than ever of my brave little genius Smudge! :love:
Love, Columbine