clip nails

[joy1]

Hello,

I tried to clip my bun's nails for the two back feet, with another person holding him, still, he kicked hard, and I cut him (bleeding). I feel so bad. It seems like doing things to bunny is very hard since they are always scared.

BTW, I find it hard to travel since I have the bunny. My impression is if I board my bun at a vet place, it may put lots of stress on him.Also the vet place does not let bun to go out of his cage.

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Oohh, sorry you had an accident. If it's still bleeding just pat some flour on it and it will stop.

What I like to do is just have them up on a table and let them roam around. When they decide to chill I come in gently and pull afoot (you're talking back) and just keep my arm around them(in front of their face so they stay still for a minute), kind of consoling them and start gently clipping, but I do it sorta quick as they don't have the patience for it. But be very careful of the quick and just get the tips of the nail, that's all you really need to trim anyway. If they are long (curling up) you can of course go a bit more in, I'd say a cm is all. I hope this helps you a bit, feel free to ask more if you're unsure! Get to know your bun and his/her antics, this helps too.

 

[HoneyPot]

HI there! Cutting bunny nails is a pain in the bun since they never sit still! You can try wrappingyou bunup in a towel (in a burrito) and taking one paw at a time out of the wrap. That will keep him more still and snuggled up in the towel or blanket - and prevent him from hurting himself.

Also - do you know how to trance your bunny? When you cradle him on his back like a baby - he will zone out for a bit - I do this with my bunnies sometimes to clip their nails and do it pretty fast without them moving around.

Here's a link to teh Rabbit 101 section with some more info...
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12075&forum_id=17

And yes, I find it hard to travel when I have my bunnies as well. I usually find a friend who can come by my house and feed the rabbits once a day while I am away. Also someone to change their litters every few days and check on poop.Otherwise I have a friend that I can take them to to look after them.

I've never had to board my bunnies, but I know there are other members on here that have done it. It can be stressful...how far are you traveling and how often do you have to leave the,? If I go away for 24 hours, I usually leave mine alone with enough food and water to last them the day...

__________
Nadia

 

[Echo]

Hi, if you usea guillotine clippers it is a lot easier, especially if he wants to kick.

There is a hole you kinda hook over the nail and then press the handles and it slices the top of the nail off.
it is really good since it doesnt slip easily if you hold it the right way.

 

[joy1]

Thanks for all the replies!!!!!

I called my Vet office, they said they orderedMillers forgeclippers from catelog. I searched on google, and got the following link. Please let me know if you used it before or something similar. Thanks.

http://www.ferret.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=190803+MD&srccode=FPRCEGRB

 

[Flashy]

Hi there,

When I clip my bunnies nails I tend to hold them almost in a human sitting position, I have my hand across their tummy and they tend to sit still. I try to murmur to the bun to keep them calm, and if I stay calm myself, they tend to stay still themselves.

Also, I don't know what countr you are in the UK you can contact the Rabbit Welfare Association who offer people who are accomplished rabbit owners, to look after your bunny while you are away, or like someone else suggested, get a friend you trust to look after him.

 

[JimD]

joy1 wrote:

Thanks for all the replies!!!!!

I called my Vet office, they said they orderedMillers forgeclippers from catelog. I searched on google, and got the following link. Please let me know if you used it before or something similar. Thanks.

http://www.ferret.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=190803+MD&srccode=FPRCEGRB

I've got a pair like these to use for my big bunnie (NZB).

For the smaller buns I find the scissor type easier to handle.


~Jim

 

[joy1]

HI,

I am in the USA. My clipper looks like ascissor. I got it from walmart. I will try the methods you guys recommended.

Thanks for taking time responding to my post.

 

[Haley]

Another good tip is to cut in a room with lots of natural light. You can usually see the quick a little easier that way.

I agree with you on travel. The vets can be stressful for them. Do you have any friends or family members who could come over 1 or 2 times a day when youre gone to feed/water/play with him? I find that usually is best for me, that or shipping them off to my parents

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Haley wrote:

Another good tip is to cut in a room with lots of natural light. You can usually see the quick a little easier that way.

I like to do it outside, way easier to see the quick.Of course, unless your bun has dark nails, then if you have someone hold a flashlight up to the nail, you can see the quick. I also just use the small human nail clippers, they're great!

 

[joy1]

To Haley and AngelnSnuffy,

What is quick? Is that the nail of bunny?

:bunnydance:

 

[Flashy]

An educated guess would be the bit with the blood in inside the nail. so you want to try not to cut into that. But that could be totally wrong, lol. That is just based on what they say about seeing it and using a torch, etc.

 

[Echo]

joy1 wrote:

To Haley and AngelnSnuffy,

What is quick? Is that the nail of bunny?

:bunnydance:

The quick is the blood supply to the nail.

If your rabbit has white nails, you should be able to see a bit further down her nail, towards her paw, a darker area inside the nail. That is the quick, trynot tocut that, aim to cut the nail a bit above it or it will bleed.

If your rabbit has dark nails it is harder to see, but a torch aimed at the nail or in a bright place/in the sun makes it easier to see.

 

[joy1]

Thanks, Echo!!!!

 

[Pipp]

Joy, can you put your location in your profile? That would help re: people wanting to give youadvice in the future.



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