Striegel Animal Hospital
Over 50 Years of Quality Medicine
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Something Special Award July 2010 Winner
Melissa
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| Dear Helen... |
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Is it really important to have my dog's toenails trimmed? And how often should it be done? Yes, regular nail trims are important, and overgrown nails can lead to several problems. The most common problem occurs when your dog or gat gets a nail caught in something like carpeting or your clothing. Most of the time they can free themselves, but sometimes they will break the nail, which causes bleeding and pain. If your pet struggles too hard, s/he can get a muscle strain or sprain. Nail that grow too long can also cause the toes to spread into an uncomfortable position. Over time, they can cause deformities of the toes and foot, which can lead to arthritis. As your pet tries to compensate for the pain in his feet, he can put stress on other joints, which will also become painful. Many pets have nails that curl as they grow. If not trimmed regularly, those nails can curl under and pierce the bottoms of the toes. It's even possible for the nail to grow all the way through the toe until it comes out the top of the foot, and they usually become swollen and infected. Nails that have grown into the pad should be cut and pulled out by your veterinarian, who will flush the wounds and prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. How often nails need to be trimmed depends on a couple of factors, such as how much exercise your pet is getting and how fast the nails are growing. Thus, surfaces like pavement, gravel and sand will help war the nails down naturally, and your pet may not need a nail trim at all. But if the most exercise your pet is getting is a short walk from the couch to his food bowl, a once-a-month nail trim will keep him from developing painfully overgrown nails.
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Just Ask Helen
Our Professional Groomer will begin answering questions for you about professional grooming, styling, showing pets and some of the things you can do if you plan to show your pet. She will also answer general questions about grooming. Of the questions Helen receives each month, she will choose one or two and write about them in her column, located on the homepage of our website. Just drop off your questions at the reception desk or send an email to Helen, c/o striegelanhosp@clearwave.com.
April 2009: Shaving in the Summer
Summer is almost here and my dog gets so hot! Will shaving him make him cooler?
--Avid Hiker
Dear Avid Hiker,
As with most grooming issues, there are two opinions on this – and groomers seem to be equally divided. Although both sides seem to favor some form of shaving, one side recommends a complete shave whereas the other believes that raking out the undercoat and shaving the underbelly should suffice. In either case, there are some points to consider before you make your final decision to shave or not to shave:
First, shaving your dog’s coat removes its natural protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Your dog is then as susceptible to sunburn as you are. Your dog will definitely need plenty of shade!
Additionally, while shaving won’t prevent shedding, it will reduce the amount of hair left on your carpets and furniture.
Also, If your dog enjoys paddling around the pool or lake, shaving will definitely reduce drying time.
Shaving also will help you detect fleas and ticks and make it easier to remove them.
Occasionally, though, a dog will fail to grow their hair after being shaved. This is a medical problem that should be referred to your veterinarian for evaluation. Other dogs, particularly the northern breeds, simply have a longer growth cycle. You’ll just have to wait a little longer for the hair to grow.
These are just some things do think about before shaving.
I will be happy to discuss your options and groom your pet to keep them comfortable - and a happy companion for you during the summer.
Keep the questions coming,
Helen