Q: I have a 2-year-old guinea pig and his claws are starting to
curl. Should I bring him in to the vet or can I cut these nails
myself. What precautions should I take?
Q: I have a 2-year-old guinea pig and his claws are starting to curl. Should I bring him in to the vet or can I cut these nails myself. What precautions should I take?
A: Long nails can be both uncomfortable and unhealthy for any pet. They can force an animal to walk unevenly on their feet causing tendinitis and even arthritis as the pet ages. In extreme cases, where the nail grows completely around into the bottom of the foot, infection becomes a real problem.
Some pets keep there nails short and trim just by running around and doing their daily activities. But some need assistance. For these, routine nail trimming is a must.
If your guinea pig will let you hold him, you can clip those nails by yourself at home. All it takes is a pair of sharp nail clippers just like those you personally use. Have some special blood-stop powder at the ready in case you cut a nail too short. This powder is available at almost any pet store.
If you aren’t sure how to do all this the first time, ask your veterinarian or one of the staff to show you how to clip the nails. But most of all, remember to be patient and always nip off just a little at a time. Your little piggy will look and feel better because of your effort.
Some dogs and cats also need regular attention to their feet. Older pets, in particular, tend to have more problems with their feet, mostly because they become less active as they get into their “senior years”. Nails that are too long push the toes to the side as the pet stands and walks. This abnormal pressure can cause chronic discomfort and reduced activity. Heavier dogs and cats are really at risk for serious problems with this condition.
Check your pet’s feet at least once every week. If his or her nails are long, trim them on a regular basis. And if your furry friend resists, have a professional groomer do it for you. A good pedicure is important to the health of your pet.
Q: My 2 year old cocker spaniel, Forrest, is continuously getting into my cat’s litter box and eating….well, you know what!!! I fed him his dog food and we have given him vitamins, but he still gets into the box. Is there something wrong with him? Should I have some blood tests done? Am I not feeding him the right food with nutrients? I heard that has a lot to do with this problem.
Help!!!!
A: Coprophagy, eating feces, is another one of those “unmentionable” problems that affects a great many dogs. Behaviorists tell us this usually is just a bad habit, sometimes caused by nervousness or boredom. But there may be other reasons for Forrest nasty dining habits.
While diet has never been proven to be a factor causing this behavior, there are some anecdotal reports about dogs eating low-quality food exhibiting this behavior. Some stories even suggest that feeding a super-premium food may help alleviate this condition. I’m not sure I believe there is a correlation.
Even so, while diet isn’t necessarily a major factor, there are other compelling reasons to feed a high-quality food to your pooch. Some dogs that have an upset stomach or enteritis exhibit coprophagy. If you give your dog a food that causes him to have gas or intestinal upset, we could argue that the food started the problem. But oftentimes, other factors are involved.
Whatever the cause, coprophagy can be a very difficult habit to correct. In Forrest’s case, be sure he is otherwise completely healthy. I would have his veterinarian check him over to be sure he has no health issues. If not, then the logical answer would be to put the kitty-litter box in a location where he can’t get to it. Denying him the opportunity to indulge this way will solve the immediate problem.
But be careful when you let him outside in the yard. He will probably be looking for cat droppings as he patrols the property. Stay with him for a while when you let him out. Get a toy and play a game. Keep him busy so he hasn’t any time to think about this distasteful habit.
