Injectable Sedatives Nails cannot be allowed to grow without being trimmed or naturally worn down so if they are long enough, your veterinarian will need to inject a sedative into your dog in order to safely trim the nails. Physical restraint should not be performed if a dog is struggling and trying to bite.
Ask for a sedated nail trim.
Unless there is a medical reason not to sedate your dog, your vet should be able to do a sedated trim. Being sedated should make the nail trim process less traumatic for your pup.
Use a soothing voice to keep her calm as you gently rub her paws. Then focus on the toes, giving each one a soft squeeze. Next apply gentle pressure to the nail itself. If your dog becomes scared or pulls back her paw, stop for a bit and continue only when she settles down.
Hold their paw gently and slowly grip one of their toes. Use the clippers to trim only the tip of your dog's nail, making sure that you don't cut too much and injure the quick the very first time. After you manage to trim your pup's nail without incident, praise them enthusiastically and offer high-value rewards.
Your veterinarian may administer anesthesia or sedate your dog to help them relax during an exam or painful or uncomfortable procedure. It can cost between $50 to $220 to sedate a dog.
General Anesthesia: For critical cases, the dog may require to be put under general anesthesia for the grooming. Of course, this is done at the vet's office. This is frequently done in cases of overly troublesome dogs or when there may be pain or the need for the dog to remain still for extended periods of time.
Benadryl: This mild antihistamine sedative helps calm your pet when it is nervous about clipping its nails. Melatonin supplements: Help regulate body rhythm and help calm down your dog. Natural sedation methods: Herbs like California poppy, chamomile, rosemary, or valerian are natural relaxants.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) reports that anxious or aggressive dogs may require a sedative to reduce distress to the animal, and keep the veterinarian safe during any treatment.
Acepromazine. Acepromazine causes sedation. It's commonly given as an injection as part of anesthesia (one of a combination of drugs) for surgery. The drug may also be sent home as an oral medication and given to a dog 20-60 minutes before events like grooming, a vet visit, or car travel.
Acepromazine. Typically used to calm dogs down before and after a surgical procedure, Acepromazine is another strong drug that should only be administered by a professional. It's sometimes used to help dogs with anxiety, making it a suitable option for nail clipping.
Dogs can bite their nails as part of the grooming process, especially if their nails are very long and uncomfortable. However, they tend to bite more for medical reasons, like allergies, a skin condition or infection, or even anxiety.
Groomers might cover an aggressive dog's face with a towel while moving the dog. Aggressive dogs are restrained with a loop and most groomers have muzzles on hand for the toughest dogs. Neither of these devices will hurt your dog. Both ensure your dog stays on the table during the groom for her own safety.
At the center of every dog nail is a bundle of nerves and blood vessels called a quick. Cutting this quick, or even applying pressure to the area around it, can cause your dog immense pain. Some breeds, such as Shiba Inus, pugs, shepherds, labs, and bully breeds, seem to have exceptionally sensitive quicks.
Benadryl is often given to dogs as a calming aid, but even though it's safe for humans, it can be dangerous and even fatal if incorrectly given to dogs.
The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends administering 2-4 milligrams of Benadryl per kilogram of body weight, two to three times a day.
If you mistakenly cut into the quick – or vein and nerve that runs into every nail – a bloody mess could happen that damages carpets, furniture and, most importantly, your dog's much-needed trust in your home grooming capabilities. Don't fret.
There are many owners who take their dogs to the groomers for trimming, for fear of hurting their pooch or getting it wrong. Nail neglect can lead to pain and health risks for your four-legged friend, including a splayed foot, reduced traction, pain when walking, and worse, deformed feet and injuries.
Your goal is to cut the claw within approximately 2 millimeters of the quick. Ultimately, nails should be trimmed so that when dogs step down, their nails don't touch the floor. If you accidentally cut into the quick, the claw will bleed and your dog will experience some pain.
The combination of gabapentin and acepromazine is often very effective in the aggressive and/or fearful patient, allowing one to safely muzzle, place an E-collar, or administer additional IM sedation without causing large undue stress to the dog or hospital staff.
Aromatherapy/ Calming Aids
Many pet groomers include aromatherapy to calm nervous dogs. They may use shampoos and conditioners with calming scents that include lavender, chamomile, and bergamot.
If your dog doesn't react well to a brush, try a grooming glove that fits your hand to make it seem like they are being petted, not brushed. Start by brushing one small section at a time. Focus on sections that are easy to reach that don't bother your dog. As you move the brush through their fur, offer treats.