What nail clippers do you use for your guineas?

[Gingerbics]

Just wondered if I dare have a go myself as thinking a trip to vets would traumatise my poor boys who have finally settled.
Read lots of tips on here re wrapping them up, distracting with dandelions and avoiding the quick ( tricky on our little one who has some black claws). Where did you get your clippers from and do you think it's ok for me to do if I'm extra careful?

[ClaimedByMe]

I think i bought the nail scissors from the vets, we took our piggies to the vet and the nurse showed us what to do, they are little scissors with a little semi circle to hook the claw.

When cutting if they have white/clear nails dont cut as far as the pink bit you can see under the nail, if they have dark nails and you cant see the pink bit gently press with the scissors and if they squeal you are too low down.

If you do cut too low and they bleed dip the claw in flour to stop the bleeding.

[ClaimedByMe]

Like these

www.petsathome.com/shop/claw-trimmers-by-options-15832

[ShadowOfTheDay]

we have ones like those too.. and use cornflour to stop bleeding.... we always cut their nails straight after a hutch clean too - so if they do bleed, there is less chance of it getting infected etc....

we have it off pat now.... pick up piggie, cover head, front left and right , back left and right, back in hutch.... minimal trauma, don't know what's hit them ... and we have 7 black paws out of 8....

You have to cut them every 5-6 weeks - would end up costing a fortune if you got the vet to do it each time....

[FernieB]

Shine a torch on black claws to see the quick. I also use cornflour if it bleeds - very effective. You do need about 12 hands to do this job .

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I have some human ones (from College days - I'm a Podiatrist for my sins and at work we use Single Use Pre Sterilised Instruments)
The do belong to me (no theft ) and have been sterilised but now kept for the Hogs.

Important thing is make sure they are sharp and strong - you don't want to crush the nails and if you do accidently catch the quick a clean cut isn't as traumatic .
I've never made a guinea claw bleed but there's always a first.

Maybe do back paws one night, front ones the next?

The inside claws on the front feet I find tend to turn inwards and curl (especially in GP1)

DD holds the boys with their back against her tummy (like they are sitting in a chair) and one hand under their rump so the weight doesn't go on their 'tail' , they don't have very flexible spines.

I hold the paw firmly, don't give them an option to strop but if they get upset , leave it a few seconds. It's not worth upsetting them but it's got to be done.

Best of all, DD gets her fingers chewed this way

How to make them sit nicely is another matter (most of my human patients attend voluntarily unless there are consent issues. In fact they wait weeks to see me. See Pigs, how lucky you are? No appointment needed)

We have now 4 black paws but one claw is honey coloured.
Four pink paws but they are Rex feet (huge)

GP2 had black paws/black claws and judgey as hell.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

The 'dead' bit is opaque and waxy looking .
With GP3 it's easy to see the differentiation between the quick and the nail.
GP1 is trickier.
If you do find the quicks are long, trim then back really regularly but a tiny bit at a time. It shrinks the quick back.

[Gingerbics]

Wow you lot are amazing thanks so much, great advice there. Just need to be brave and maybe do a little bit at a time. It's getting to the point where I feel they really need doing but kinda dreading it. Will be armed with bribery snacks and some decent clippers. Thanks again to all of you guineagurus!

[fortifiedwithtea]

Hi Gingerbics, if you want something to read: look up Rodents with Attitude website and click on General Care. General Care drop down menu and select nail clipping.

Its a well written article, explaining the anatomy of the nail, gives diagrams and instructions of how to clip a nail. The only thing I disagree with is the option to use human nail clippers as an alternative to pet clippers.

I would only ever use proper pet clippers. They are specially designed not to crush the nail. I bought mine from P@H. I think they cost about £4.

Good luck and remember the comfort slices of cucumber for the guineas for afterwards.

[Gingerbics]

Thanks fortified, hadn't seen that site before, v useful it is too! Have ordered my clippers and will try following the advice. Ps hope Millie pig's eye continues to improve

[ShadowOfTheDay]

you can also join the guinea pig forum there is a HUGE amount of expertise on there...

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Bumping for springandbunnies

[springandbunnies]

Thanku
Well I tried he was not impressed I managed 3 think I will wait a few weeks till my mum can help me
I have bought pet clippers this morning
How quick do nails grow?
They won't grow much more in that time will they?