Clipping dew claw trouble

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This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 8 months ago by Wilburbunny.

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- 06/22/2020 at 8:31 AM
  Wilburbunny
  Participant
  72 posts
  Hello! I’m having a lot of trouble clipping Wilburs dew claw nail. It’s so tiny and tucked away but really sharp, pointy and long. Since he’s a lop his paw-fur is really long and I have hard enough of a time clipping his other nails, the dew claw just gets covered up! Is it bad if this nail isn’t clipped? I know if the back foot nails aren’t cut they can cause sore hocks but is anything affect by the dew claw? Any advice?
- 06/22/2020 at 9:06 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5834 posts
  The dew claw does need to be clipped, as it will continue to grow like any other nail. At long lengths, it may grow into a spiral (making it difficult to clip and a hazard for the rabbit in navigating the environment safely; similar to a regular nail), and it may begin growing towards/into the paw if not addressed.
  
  Similar to finding out “the way” to clip your rabbit’s other nails, you may need to do some trial and error to figure out how to address the dew claw specifically. I clip it in a different manner/hold than the other front nails of my rabbits. I let the paw dangle while holding the rabbit standing on its hindlegs and use one spare finger to rest the dangling paw for stability, then clip it there. For another rabbit, someone holds the rabbit and I just go on a search for an opening where it’s exposed or I can get it to be and the stress of being carried makes her freeze and allows me to clip it.
  
  That being said, I very commonly clip the dewclaw every other or every 2 nail clipping sessions. It can help for it to be a bit longer, and it is generally a shorter nail. It takes a while for it to grow to a problematic length, so if it looks fine, you can wait a month and revisit.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 06/22/2020 at 12:20 PM
  Wilburbunny
  Participant
  72 posts
  Ok thanks, I’ll keep trying
- 06/22/2020 at 3:45 PM
  amyef2000
  Participant
  12 posts
  One method I’ve seen to help find the claws in long fur is using a piece of mesh or lace the claw can go through but surrounding fur is pushed back by. Never tried myself as my buns don’t have long fur but might be worth a go!
- 06/23/2020 at 10:48 AM
  Wilburbunny
  Participant
  72 posts
  That’s a cool method, never heard of that before! Thanks!
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