Nail trimming needs right equipment and patience

My dog, Kasey, and I recently spent several hours at our area emergency veterinary clinic.

I let him outside in the backyard before bedtime. He came back into the house after about 10 minutes. As I closed the door and turned around I saw blood all over the floor; a path of it leading from the door into the room. Kasey was limping.

So, at 10:30 at night, we found ourselves sitting in the emergency clinic waiting room. Kasey had broken a toenail off down to the quick, making it at risk for infection. We were sent home with antibiotics and pain medication.

Several days later, we saw our veterinarian to make sure all was well with his foot. His nails weren't long, so the mystery remains how he broke it off.

But the experience reminded me, its important to keep his nails trimmed.

If you share your life with a dog, you may have heard the "click clack " sound of too long nails on the kitchen or living room floor. Nail trimming and paw care is important for our dog's health. Pawcare is important because the pads on a dog's foot provide extra cushioning to help protect bones and joints from shock, provide insulation against extreme weather and walking on rough ground, and help to protect tissue deep in the paw.

Both the ASPC and the HSUS suggest health care tips for your dog's paws and nails.

Your dog's nails should be trimmed when they touch the ground, when they are "clicking on the floor" or getting snagged. Some dogs who walk on rough sidewalks may never need a trim, except for their dewclaws if they have them.

Trimming your dog's nails necessitates the right equipment. There are two basic types of nail clippers for dogs - a guillotine type and a scissor type. Purchase the size that is correct for your dog.

If a nail clipper is intolerable for your dog, an alternative may be a nail grinder - an electronic tool that sands nails down. Some dogs may find the sound and vibrations the nail grinder produces unpleasant.

There are also nail files for dogs that don't make noise, but may still produce an unpleasant feeling.

If your dog is touchy, it may make take a few weeks of paw massaging before he is comfortable and can tolerate the sensations to allow you to work on his nails. If you decide to trim your dog's nails yourself, clip only the sharp tips of his nails.

If your dog does allow you to trim his nails, start by gathering treats, the nail trimmer or nail grinder and styptic powder. Hold his toe firmly, but gently. While lavishing your dog with treats and calm praise, hold the trimmer so you're cutting the nail from top to bottom, (not side to side) and insert a very small length of nail through the trimmer's opening.

Avoid nipping the quick, which is the pink area within each nail that contains nerves and blood vessels and don't trim at a blunt angle. Try to maintain the existing curvature of the nail. Cut a little bit of nail with each pass until you see the beginning of a circle - still nail colored - appear on the cut surface.

The circle indicates you are nearing the quick, so stop cutting that nail and move on to the next.

If you do cut the quick, your dog will probably yelp and may struggle. There are nerves in there and it hurts. End the nail cutting session and give first aid. Apply styptic powder to the bleeding nail with a little bit of pressure as you press the powder into the wound to make sure it sticks. If bleeding continues for more than a few minutes, consult your veterinarian.

Never force your dog to submit. The ASPCA notes some dogs show aggressive or fearful behavior when you attempt to trim their nails. Signs of distress include panting, trembling, whining, freezing, cowering, tail tucking, growling, snarling or snapping.

There are some dogs who are unable to get over their terror, even with the most patient and gradual of introductions. Your veterinarian or a professional groomer may have better luck.

I've tried to trim my dog's nails. He can't tolerate the noise of the grinder or file, or the feeling of the trimming. My veterinarian is able to trim Kasey's nails without it being a traumatic experience for him.

Don't stress your dog over nail trimming. Make the process as easy as possible for him. Maybe walking on rough sidewalk surfaces would help keep his nail length in check. Although his nails weren't long, we wonder how Kasey broke his nail. No one knows for sure except him. But Kasey feels better now, and so do I.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.