How to cut Guinea pig claws

Guinea pig is good - natured and calm pet. It is believed pigs are more hardy than dogs or cats. But some caring for them need to be sure that the animal was healthy and vigorous. For example, attention should be paid to the claws of pigs: one or two times a year they need pruning, as in domestic rodents claws are not worn down naturally. Too long claws can cause mumps discomfort, pain and even impede her movement.

You will need

special tweezers or scissors for trimming the claws (they can be purchased in veterinary pharmacy);
- a bright lamp or flashlight;
assistant, which could hold the pig;
- disinfectant and styptic in case of damage to the blood vessels.

Instruction

Have an assistant hold the pig in front of the light source so that you can taking hold of her foot, to see the claw up to the light. This is to ensure that when trimming claws as not to hurt the blood vessels. Determine where to trim the claw: it should be its transparent part, totally visible to the light. If the claws of the animal are dark, highlights are their bottom spot with a flashlight.Trim the claws alone is only in the case that you already well know, and the pig is very calm.

Trim the claw within one-third of its length. Try to position the tool so that the cutting edge was across the claw, or the claw may crack.The pig must be kept gently, but firmly. No matter how peace-loving the beast she was, but the procedure is unpleasant for her, and the pig is likely to try to escape, or to free up foot. In the same way trim the other claws.

Note

Do not cut the claws too short: you run the risk of hurting the nerves and blood vessels.

Guinea pigs under the year, the claws cut is not necessary.

It is also necessary to monitor the long teeth of pigs. They, like the claws can grow too long: in this case, you need to seek help to the veterinarian.

Useful advice

If blood vessels are affected, keep nearby a styptic and a disinfectant, for example, lyapisny pencil.

Try in case of damage to living tissue of the claw to ensure the hygiene of the cage as much as possible to have the pigs there was no infection.

Is the advice useful?