TRIMMING YOUR GUINEA PIG'S NAILS

The most difficult part of doing nail trims is probably holding the guinea pig still. You can do it successfully with patience and practice as your guinea pig will likely get less squirmy over time. It is best to have a helper to hold your guinea pig so you can trim the nails.

Nails should be trimmed at least once a month, although you can do them even more often that that if you choose. Although nail clipping may be difficult at first, the more often you do it the more comfortable it will become for you and your guinea pig. The longer the nails get, the harder they will be to trim. As the nails get longer the blood vessel gets longer too, and the nails will start to curl. Regular nail clipping helps keep the nails in good shape.

NAIL FUNGUS PROBLEM IN YOUR DOG

FUNGAL INFECTION - One cause of nail fungus is a specific type of fungi called dermatophytes. Another cause of nail fungus are yeast, which is also a common fungi.
Dermatophytes and yeasts cause nail fungus by eating away at keratin, the main protein that makes up our fingernails, toenails, hair, and skin. The nails try to produce keratin at a faster rate, causing it to thicken and eventually detach from the nail bed. Other effects will include nail discoloration, inflammation of the skin around the infected nails, pain, and a foul odor.
These effects are certainly not pleasant. Your dog will have difficulty in walking and playing. This condition is not easy to cure and should not be ignored as later on there can be major problems.

FUNGAL EAR INFECTION - DOG

Fungal Ear Infections
Fungal ear infections in dogs are triggered by a fungus, which can often spread to other parts of the body, including the face and paws.
In the case of a yeast infection, which is among the most common types of fungal infection, the yeast is constantly present on the body. The dog's body typically keeps the yeast in-check, but moist conditions, can result in an overgrowth of the yeast – a yeast infection.
Fungal infections in dogs are often associated with discharge, redness, swelling, scaling, dryness, oozing and intense itching. When a dog scratches his ears, this not only spreads the infection, but the dog's nails can break the skin, resulting in a secondary bacterial infection affecting the dog's outer ear.

Yeast and other fungal infections have a tendency to spread to other body parts.
The most common treatment for a dog's fungal ear infection involves the use of ant-fungal drops or ointment, in conjunction with twice-daily cleanings of the dog's ears.

NAIL CARE - GUINEA PIG

NAIL CARE

Cavy toenails grow constantly. Some grow straighter while others have a tendency to curl and lie to one side. Very young guinea pig's nails are short and sharp. Early clippings help blunt their sharp nails. As a cavy ages, their nails become more brittle and grow more irregularly. Cavies kept as pets generally require nail clipping, as their nails do not receive enough wear to keep them at the proper length. Some people put a stone or brick in their pet's cage in the hope that it will wear down the nails so trimming is unnecessary. However, this is generally not effective and all cavies seem to require regular trims. A very few pigs will chew on their hind nails.

TIPS FOR YOUR DOG'S NAILS

FEW TIPS FOR NAILS -
1. Clip the nails after a bath when they are soft.
2. For long-haired dogs, push the nails through the stocking. This will safely hold the hair away from the nail clippers

3. Break open a Vitamin E capsule and rub the oil into the pads to keep them nice and soft.
4. Rub a little Vaseline into the nails after clipping.

Nail problems in dogs and pups

Dog nail problems: A broken nail can also cause a lot of pain, limping, and irritation. Keeping a close eye on the size of your puppy's nails is very necessary because long can break. If it happen, you must cut it to relieve the pain and to prevent more injury to the paw or infections. If the root of the puppy's nail has not been affected, the dog's nail should grow back without any problem. Sometimes puppy's nails will get infected because of bacteria, virus, or a fungus. If you find your puppy limping you should start by examining the puppy's paws very carefully and in if your puppy's nails are hurt, infected or have lesions, then the best thing is to call the veterinarian.

Puppy cysts: When your puppy is constantly licking and biting at its paw and trying to alleviate the pain. It could be a cyst. A cyst is a "sack" of liquid surrounded by body tissue. Cysts normally need to be treated by a veterinarian. It must be noted that cysts don't usually cause any harm to the animal's health, but it's best to take the animal to the veterinarian to check just in case. Cysts often remain unchanged in shape and size for months or even years, and continuous licking may lead to various problems. Such cases need Veterinary attention and should not be delayed.

trim your dogs nails

How to trim your dog's nails
1. Always use a nail clipper designed for dogs.
2. Arrange yourself and your dog comfortably. Some dogs will sit right down in your lap for a nail trim. But you can also sit on the floor next to your pup during the procedure.
3. Reassure your dog. calm voice will help make nail trimming more pleasant for both of you.
4. Hold each paw as you work and spread the toes. Be careful to stay away from the quick, which is easier to cut into than you think. The quick is the end of the toe's blood vessel, so if you cut the quick, the toe will bleed.
5. Trim dewclaws. Look for them high on the inside of each foot. Not all dogs have them; in many breeds, it is common for dewclaws to be removed shortly after birth. These can get torn easily in the field and are painful.
6. Finish off with a reward. Give your dog his favorite treat and a lot of praise when you're done, so he learns that nail trimming has its benefits. That way, he'll be more apt to cooperate next time.
How to treat an injured toenail
If you've clipped into the quick of the nail, you'll know: your dog will probably be in pain. Apply pressure or dab a bit of nail styptic powder, which acts as a coagulant, to stop the bleeding. If you don't have styptic powder, sometimes putting the toe in flour will help.
If your dog tears a nail before you've had a chance to clip, apply pressure right away with a clean rag or handful of gauze. After you've stopped the bleeding, wash his paw with warm, soapy water and take a good look at the injury.

Nail Clipping - guinea pig

Nail Clippers - You can also use nail clippers designed for cats and other small animals. These look like little scissors with small notches toward the end of the blade for cutting the nail.
Doing the nails at least once a month is perfectly ok. Although nail clipping may be awkward and difficult at first, the more often you do it the more comfortable it will become for you and your guinea pig. More importantly, the longer the nails get, the harder they will be to trim. As the nails get longer the blood vessel gets longer too, and the nails will start to curl. Regular nail clipping helps keep the nails in good shape.
How to Clip the Nails - The trick to nail trims is to cut the sharp tip off the nail without cutting into the quick. The quick is the part inside the nail where the blood vessel and nerve endings are located, and if you cut into the quick, the nail will bleed and it will hurt your guinea pig.
If your guinea pig has light or translucent nails, the quick will be visible as the pink part inside the nail. Make your cut a bit in front of the quick; if you get too close it may still be a bit painful. See the diagram to the right for an illustration.
The tip of the nail is usually quite narrow and may almost appear hollow when viewed from the bottom. Otherwise, it is safest to just clip off about 1/4 inch of the nail tip.
If you have any doubts, it is wise to get a professional or other experienced owner to demonstrate a nail trim for you before you attempt nail clipping on your own.