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Claw clipping question



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 21st 04, 07:25 PM
dk5213[remove-this]
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Default Claw clipping question

I recently took in a stray or abandoned two year old cat and
need to trim his claws. He is very friendly and allows me to
handle his paws and extend his claws, so I hope he is also
accustomed to having his claws clipped. All that I have read
cautions not to cut the "quick" since it contains nerves and
blood vessels, but sources differ in describing it. Some say
it is the pink part forming the base of the claw; others say
it is a dark or pink crescent-shaped area within the claw.
Which is it? Or are they the same?

Both of these parts are visible in the photo:
http://www.caws.org/extended.html
It shows the quick as the pink base and the cut-line
passing through the dark crescent. According to some sources
this is exactly what not to do (?).

A similar photo:
http://www.maxshouse.com/anatomy/cla...im-quick-1.jpg

These pages show the quick as the dark/pink crescent:
http://www.cat-world.com.au/catclaws.htm
http://tinyurl.com/43mcn

I cannot see the crescent in my cat's paws, except for
a small area next to the pink base. But I can see a fine
line in the claw running from the base to almost the end.
Perhaps I am mistaken, and the line is a crack or surface
feature, but don't want to cut it in case it is the quick.

Obviously I'm new at this and don't want to cause any pain
or fear in the cat. Please help me identify the quick and
where to clip. Thanks.

  #2  
Old July 21st 04, 07:40 PM
Cathy Friedmann
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Default


"dk5213[remove-this]" wrote in message
. com...
I recently took in a stray or abandoned two year old cat and
need to trim his claws. He is very friendly and allows me to
handle his paws and extend his claws, so I hope he is also
accustomed to having his claws clipped. All that I have read
cautions not to cut the "quick" since it contains nerves and
blood vessels, but sources differ in describing it. Some say
it is the pink part forming the base of the claw; others say
it is a dark or pink crescent-shaped area within the claw.
Which is it? Or are they the same?


I think they're probably one & the same - I just look for the pink part at
the base. If your cat's claws are clear, you're in luck, cause at least you
can *see* the quick! ;-) If the claws are dark, it's more of a guessing
game. In that case, I just trim off the sharp, pointy end, not too far up,
so that I'm sure I'm below the quick. I think the pic in the second link is
the most clear.

Cathy

Both of these parts are visible in the photo:
http://www.caws.org/extended.html
It shows the quick as the pink base and the cut-line
passing through the dark crescent. According to some sources
this is exactly what not to do (?).

A similar photo:
http://www.maxshouse.com/anatomy/cla...im-quick-1.jpg

These pages show the quick as the dark/pink crescent:
http://www.cat-world.com.au/catclaws.htm
http://tinyurl.com/43mcn

I cannot see the crescent in my cat's paws, except for
a small area next to the pink base. But I can see a fine
line in the claw running from the base to almost the end.
Perhaps I am mistaken, and the line is a crack or surface
feature, but don't want to cut it in case it is the quick.

Obviously I'm new at this and don't want to cause any pain
or fear in the cat. Please help me identify the quick and
where to clip. Thanks.



  #3  
Old July 21st 04, 07:40 PM
Cathy Friedmann
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"dk5213[remove-this]" wrote in message
. com...
I recently took in a stray or abandoned two year old cat and
need to trim his claws. He is very friendly and allows me to
handle his paws and extend his claws, so I hope he is also
accustomed to having his claws clipped. All that I have read
cautions not to cut the "quick" since it contains nerves and
blood vessels, but sources differ in describing it. Some say
it is the pink part forming the base of the claw; others say
it is a dark or pink crescent-shaped area within the claw.
Which is it? Or are they the same?


I think they're probably one & the same - I just look for the pink part at
the base. If your cat's claws are clear, you're in luck, cause at least you
can *see* the quick! ;-) If the claws are dark, it's more of a guessing
game. In that case, I just trim off the sharp, pointy end, not too far up,
so that I'm sure I'm below the quick. I think the pic in the second link is
the most clear.

Cathy

Both of these parts are visible in the photo:
http://www.caws.org/extended.html
It shows the quick as the pink base and the cut-line
passing through the dark crescent. According to some sources
this is exactly what not to do (?).

A similar photo:
http://www.maxshouse.com/anatomy/cla...im-quick-1.jpg

These pages show the quick as the dark/pink crescent:
http://www.cat-world.com.au/catclaws.htm
http://tinyurl.com/43mcn

I cannot see the crescent in my cat's paws, except for
a small area next to the pink base. But I can see a fine
line in the claw running from the base to almost the end.
Perhaps I am mistaken, and the line is a crack or surface
feature, but don't want to cut it in case it is the quick.

Obviously I'm new at this and don't want to cause any pain
or fear in the cat. Please help me identify the quick and
where to clip. Thanks.



  #4  
Old July 21st 04, 07:59 PM
Mimi Forsyth
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Default

Just clip the very sharp tip off. It's not necessary to clip near the quick.


www.mimiforsyth.com


  #5  
Old July 21st 04, 07:59 PM
Mimi Forsyth
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Default

Just clip the very sharp tip off. It's not necessary to clip near the quick.


www.mimiforsyth.com


  #6  
Old July 21st 04, 09:13 PM
jamie
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Default

Mimi Forsyth wrote:
Just clip the very sharp tip off. It's not necessary to clip near the quick.


I agree, just trim the point off.

Does anyone have any suggestions about the occasional claw that looks
like it hasn't shed a layer for a while and appears thickened, and
not very pointy? Is there a way of coaxing the layer off that isn't
too uncomfortable to the kitty? I think he used to chew them off when
he was younger. The affected claws don't look like a fungal problem,
and I've read this happens more in older cats.

--
jamie )

"There's a seeker born every minute."

  #7  
Old July 21st 04, 09:13 PM
jamie
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Posts: n/a
Default

Mimi Forsyth wrote:
Just clip the very sharp tip off. It's not necessary to clip near the quick.


I agree, just trim the point off.

Does anyone have any suggestions about the occasional claw that looks
like it hasn't shed a layer for a while and appears thickened, and
not very pointy? Is there a way of coaxing the layer off that isn't
too uncomfortable to the kitty? I think he used to chew them off when
he was younger. The affected claws don't look like a fungal problem,
and I've read this happens more in older cats.

--
jamie )

"There's a seeker born every minute."

  #8  
Old July 22nd 04, 02:59 AM
Wendy
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Posts: n/a
Default


"jamie" wrote in message
...
Mimi Forsyth wrote:
Just clip the very sharp tip off. It's not necessary to clip near the

quick.

I agree, just trim the point off.

Does anyone have any suggestions about the occasional claw that looks
like it hasn't shed a layer for a while and appears thickened, and
not very pointy? Is there a way of coaxing the layer off that isn't
too uncomfortable to the kitty? I think he used to chew them off when
he was younger. The affected claws don't look like a fungal problem,
and I've read this happens more in older cats.

--
jamie )


I'll be interested in this answer. Tigger's vet called them her "old lady
claws" but had no suggestions what to do with them so I gather it's common
with older cats. She eventually sheds the outside layer but it takes
forever.

W


  #9  
Old July 22nd 04, 02:59 AM
Wendy
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Posts: n/a
Default


"jamie" wrote in message
...
Mimi Forsyth wrote:
Just clip the very sharp tip off. It's not necessary to clip near the

quick.

I agree, just trim the point off.

Does anyone have any suggestions about the occasional claw that looks
like it hasn't shed a layer for a while and appears thickened, and
not very pointy? Is there a way of coaxing the layer off that isn't
too uncomfortable to the kitty? I think he used to chew them off when
he was younger. The affected claws don't look like a fungal problem,
and I've read this happens more in older cats.

--
jamie )


I'll be interested in this answer. Tigger's vet called them her "old lady
claws" but had no suggestions what to do with them so I gather it's common
with older cats. She eventually sheds the outside layer but it takes
forever.

W


  #10  
Old July 22nd 04, 04:03 AM
Sherry
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Posts: n/a
Default

I think they're probably one & the same - I just look for the pink part at
the base. If your cat's claws are clear, you're in luck, cause at least you
can *see* the quick! ;-) If the claws are dark, it's more of a guessing
game. In that case, I just trim off the sharp, pointy end


That's what I do. Just trim the hooky part at the end.
 




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