Veterinary Nursing: Nail Trimming Techniques

• Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Techniques: General Nursing Care

Nail Trimming

• Long nails affect gait, are more likely to split or tear and can grow into the digital pad.

Trimmer Options: Guillotine

• New blades are purchasable and inexpensive to replace
• Guillotine trimmers do not work well on nails curled around the pad
• Not recommended for small birds or cats.

Trimmer Options: Dog Nail Clip

• Dog nail clips are better for strong dog nails
• There are no replacement blades, but they can be sharpened, or the unit replaced
• Dog nail clips are slightly more expensive than Guillotine trimmers

Trimmer Options: Scissors

• Scissors are a good option for trimming cat nails, and nails on small animals, birds, rabbits, etc.
• Scissors may be difficult to use for people with big fingers.

Holding the Trimmers

• The cutting blade should face you, to make it less likely to cut the quick
• Put the tip of the nail into the stationary ring
• The clipper should be perpendicular to the nail, to make it least likely to crush or split the nail.

Important Note on Nail Trimming

• Animals may dislike having their nails trimmed
• Owners should manipulate their young animal's feet and nails daily to get them used to it
• Sedation may be required
• Have the owner sign the sedation waiver.

Cutting the Nail

• Cut just before the quick.

Dew Claw

• Dew claws may be long
• Dew claws are removed in some animals.

Trimming Black Nails

• When trimming black nails, look for a shiny, fleshy surface
• Trim small amounts at a time.

Trimming Pelvic Limb Nails

• Pelvic limb nails often don't require as much trimming as front nails
• Check for dew claws
• Some breeds have two sets of pelvic limb dew claws (e.g.: St. Bernard).

Scratching Deterrents

• Nail caps are available to prevent animals from scratching

If a Nail Bleeds: Styptic Powder

• Styptic Powder is safe for birds
• Styptic Powder doesn't sting as much as silver nitrate
• Pinch the powder and push into the bleeding nail, and instruct owners on how to use the powder

If a Nail Bleeds: Silver Nitrate Sticks

• Silver nitrate sticks can stain skin and clothing and are caustic (stings)
• Apply firm pressure.

Ears: Cerumen

• Cerumen, also know as earwax, is located in vertical canal
• Cerumen repels moisture and is a natural antimicrobial agent.

Ears: Otitis

• There are three types of Otitis
• Clinical signs include head shaking, scratching, redness, odor and discharge

Ear Cleaning

• Animals ears are normally clean
• Ears are cleaned to remove discharge, parasites, excessive hair and/or a foreign body.
• Excessive scratching in animals can lead to secondary infections, like e.g.: aural hematoma

Ear Mite Infestation

• Symptoms of ear mite infestation include itchiness, inflammation, hair loss and debris
• Treatment for ear mite infestation include cleaning ears and providing antiparasitics.

Abnormal Ear Growth

• Polyps are the growth of connective tissue
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma can be detected as abnormal ear growth
• Benign Ceruminous Adenoma comes from wax producing glands
• Inflammation can be a sign of abnormal ear growth

Ear Infection (bacterial/yeast)

• A predisposed population of animals who are at risk of getting ear infections include dogs with droopy ears, swimmers, and those in hot/humid climates
• Treatment for ear infections include local and/or systemic treatment with medicine
• Culture and sensitivity testing can be done.

Foreign Body in Ear

• Foreign body can cause irritation, inflammation infection
• The foreign body should be be removed under anesthesia when needed.

Removing Hair

• Hair removal in dogs' ears can assist with grasping hair and reducing moisture and debris and increasing chances of infection

Before Ear Cleaning

• Before cleaning an ear, determine cytology and swab for bacteria, yeast, and mites

Ear Cleaning: Product

• If the ear drum is not visible, start by cleaning the ear with 0.9% NaCl
• Ceruminolytics can break up wax, like DSS (dioctyl sodium succinate)
• Ear flushing or cleaning may require anesthesia.

Basic Ear Cleaning Steps

• Fill the ear canal with solution
• Massage the exterior of the canal gently
• Wipe the vertical canal using a cotton ball or cotton tip applicator
• Only wipe what your finger can reach
• Let the animal shake.

Lots of Discharge in Ear

• Discharge can be removed with different sized bulbs
• Applying force with the ear cleaner on debris or discharge can dislodge debris
• Too much force when using a bulb can case additional damage
• May require sedation to remove all discharge

Q-tip Cautions

• Clients should not use Q-tips
• Only use Q-tips in the horizontal canal if the patient is anesthetized
• There is risk of rupturing the ear drum
• Only medical professionals should use Q-tips

Anal Glands/Sacs

• Glands located on either side of the anus produce material stored in the sacs
• Discharge is rich in pheromones and is a communication tool.

Expressing Anal Glands

• It's normal to express with defecation
• Symptoms of abnormal anal glands include not emptying, overfilling, causing irritation, scooting and licking
• You can remedy or express cause by addressing the cause, such as, diet, infection, chronic soft stool, or genetics.
• Normal anal gland material is beige to brown in color and usually watery
• Abnormal impacted sacs contents are pasty and dry (dark grey/brown)
• If the contents are green, there may be an infection.

Anal Sac Expression: External Method

• Wear gloves and use water-based lubricant and tissue
• It's better to use this method in cats and smaller dogs but may end up blocking the ducts with your fingers

Anal Sac Expression: Internal Method

• Wear gloves and use water-based lubricant and tissue
• It's better to use on larger dogs

Anal Gland Sacculitis/Abscess/Rupture

• Bacteria can cause an impacted anal sac to become an abscess
• Can be very painful.