Veterinary Nursing: Nail Trimming

• The module is SCIE 16206: Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Techniques
• The topic is General Nursing Care

Nail Trimming

• Long nails affect gait, increasing the likelihood of splitting, tearing, and growing into the digital pad.

Trimmer Options: Guillotine

• New blades are purchasable for guillotine trimmers.
• Guillotine trimmers are not expensive to replace.
• Guillotine trimmers do not work on nails curled around the pad and are not suitable for small birds or cats.

Holding Nail Trimmers

• The cutting blade faces you, reducing the risk of cutting the quick.
• Place the tip of the nail into the stationary ring.
• Hold the clipper perpendicular to the nail to minimize the likelihood of crushing or splitting.

Dog Nail Trimmers

• Dog nail trimmers are better for strong nails.
• Blades are not replaceable; they must be sharpened, or the entire unit replaced.
• Dog nail trimmers are slightly more expensive.

Nail Trimmers For Cats/Small Animals

• Nail trimmers can also be used for birds and rabbits.
• These trimmers make it difficult to get big fingers in the handle

Nail Trimming Considerations

• Some animals dislike having their nails trimmed
• Advise owners to start touching or manipulating their young animal's feet and nails daily to get them comfortable with it.
• Sedation may be required, with the owner's signature obtained beforehand.

Cutting Nails

• Cut just before the quick.

Dew Claws

• Dew claws may grow long and are sometimes removed in animals.

Trimming Black Nails

• When trimming black nails, look for a shiny, fleshy surface and trim in small amounts.

Trimming Pelvic Limb Nails

• Pelvic limb nails often do not need as much trimming as front nails.
• Check for dew claws; some breeds, like St. Bernards, have two sets of pelvic limb dew claws.

Scratching Deterrents

• Scratching deterrents are available for pets

Bleeding Nails: Styptic Powder

• Styptic powder is safe for birds.
• Styptic powder does not sting as much as silver nitrate.
• Apply a pinch of styptic powder into the bleeding nail and instruct owners on proper usage.

Bleeding Nails: Silver Nitrate Sticks

• Silver nitrate sticks stain the skin and clothing, are caustic/stinging, and require firm pressure during application.

Ears: Cerumen

• Cerumen, also known as wax, is found in the vertical ear canal, repels moisture, and acts as a natural antimicrobial agent.

Ears: Otitis

• There are 3 types of otitis.
• Clinical signs include head shaking, scratching, redness, odor, and discharge.

Ear Cleaning

• Animal ears are normally clean.
• Ears are cleaned to remove discharge, parasites, excessive hair, and foreign bodies.
• Excessive scratching can lead to secondary issues, i.e., aural hematoma.

Ear Mite Infestation

• Signs of ear mite infestation includes itchiness, inflammation, hair loss, and debris.
• Treatment involves cleaning the ears and using antiparasitic medications.

Abnormal Ear Growth

• Abnormal ear growth can include polyps (growth of connective tissue), squamous cell carcinoma, and benign ceruminous adenoma (from wax-producing glands).
• Some clinical signs include inflammation.

Ear Infection: Bacteria/Yeast

• Predisposed population includes dogs with droopy ears, swimmers, and those in hot/humid climates.
• Tx: local +/- systemic
• Culture and sensitivity.

Foreign Bodies in Ears

• Foreign bodies come from the environment, i.e., foxtails.
• Foreign bodies causes irritation, inflammation, and lead to infection
• Tx: remove under anesthesia (PRN-As needed)

Removing Hair (Dogs)

• Removing hair can assist with grasping hair (may have other claims such as reducing hair traps moisture and debris and increases chances of infection

Before Ear Cleaning

• Before ear cleaning it should be determined what to know.
• Swab for cytology i.e. Bacteria vs. Yeast vs. Mites
• C & S

Ear Cleaning

• If the eardrum is not visible, start with 0.9% NaCl
• Ceruminolytics break up wax i.e. DSS (dioctyl sodium succinate)
• May require ear flushing/cleaning under anesthesia

Basic Ear Cleaning Steps

• Fill the ear canal with solution.
• Massage gently on the exterior of the canal.
• Wipe the vertical canal using a cotton ball or cotton tip applicator.
• Only go as far as your finger can reach
• +/- Let animal shake

Lots of Discharge?

• Lots of discharge needs a flush? which comes in Different sizes of bulbs
• These are force of ear cleaner on debris/discharge = help dislodge debris, not using too much force with practice & experience
• Sedation may be required

Q-tip Cautions:

• Clients should not use Q-tips
• DO NOT use in horizontal canal unless patient is anesthetized
• Risk of rupturing eardrum
• Only proceed as per DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)

Anal Glands (Sacs)

• Glands produces material stored in the sacs.
• Discharge is rich in pheromones.
• Discharge is a communication tool
• One sac on either side of the anus

Expression of Anal Glands (Sacs): Defecation

• Abnormal: not emptying, overfilling indicates there is an issue
• A sign of irritation may occurs due to Scooting and licking
• Remedy –> express the sacs, address cause (diet, infection, chronic soft stool, genetic)
• AG material: normal = beige to brown, usually watery
• Abnormal impacted sacs contents are pasty/dry (dark grey/brown), Green contents = infection

Anal Sac Expression: External Method

• With the use of glove, water-based lubricant, tissue this is better on cats & smaller dogs
• External method May end up blocking the ducts with your fingers sending home clean; therefore proceed with caution!

Anal Sac Expression: Internal Method

• This only requires Glove, water-based lubricant, tissue for larger dogs.

Anal Gland: Sacculitis/Abscess/Rupture

• Bacteria, becomes an abscess which can happen in the Sacculitis/Abscess/Rupture, Very painful