Nails

[ddc08]

Hi guys.

We try to clip the boys nails once a month. Dude will happily sit there and let us clip them, but Harry is a pain. If we're lucky, we'll get two of hit little feet done (usually the back) before he starts wiggling and nibbling at us. This means we usually have to spread out clipping him over a day or two, otherwise he gets too stressed.

We've looked at him again today, and noticed that we must have missed one of the nails last month, as the inside nail on his left foot/paw is curling in towards the other nails.

This month he really isn't happy with being groomed. We have managed to get his back feet donee, after a big struggle, and his right front as well. But we can't get near his left.

Do any of you have any suggestions of how to calm him down so we can clip his nails. We really need to get the curled one done, and I'd rather not take him to the vet, or he'll fall out with us. I have a feeling that it's going to be the only way though.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

A gentle but firm hand is necessary for such pigs! Clipping all the nails at least once monthly is important, and once it has been routine for a while you will find the confidence to be firm with him and he will let you get them done. I appreciate how hard it can be, I have a few difficult ones here too.

Depending on how tightly the nail is curled, a set of human nail clippers may be more useful than animal clippers. One of my sows has a nail that curls against itself, there is little more than a 1mm gap at the point the nail curls at. For this nail, animal clippers are too big; human clippers are the only ones small enough to actually get into that tiny space. It may be worth bearing this in mind if you have any difficulties with getting animal clippers around the curled nail.

Getting hold of the pig is the main issue here though, I think wrapping the pig in a light towel or pillowcase, which will hold the front feet down, is the easiest thing. The middle of the towel/case goes on the pigs back, and you bring each side down across the front of the pigs body and tucking it underneath the pig. For nail clipping, you'll want to hold down only one front foot, so bring one corner down to cover one foot, and bring the other corner underneath the leg that you need to clip the nails on. Does that make any sense, or would pictures be more helpful?

Good luck!

 

[happycath]

That sounds like a good method, do you have any picturs handy?
We also have one very well-behaved piggie and one who will do anything to get away as soon as we get him into 'nail clipping position'!

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I will find a willing piggie and get photos on in a couple of hours!

I do have photos of the wrapping method, although they could do with updating; I don't think they'd be of as much use as I'll have to show exactly where the towel/case needs to come across the body for nail clipping.

 

[pompypigs]

I will find a willing piggie and get photos on in a couple of hours!

I do have photos of the wrapping method, although they could do with updating; I don't think they'd be of as much use as I'll have to show exactly where the towel/case needs to come across the body for nail clipping.

Oh Laura that would be great if you could show pics, my piggies aren't too bad at having their nails cut but they do not like being syringed meds & I'm rubbish at wrapping them so it would be a great help xx

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Will post a topic in the Reference section about administering meds, towel wrapping and nail clipping techniques etc. Aiming for sometime in the next hour or two, provided my internet holds up that long!

 

[alcesterpigs]

I tend to favour side cutters, rather than the typical human nail end cutters. You do not have to use nail cutters as such, have a look round the DIY shops often you can find miniature wire cutters will do the job.