Ingrown Nail

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geekgirldany

geekgirldany

Member Since 2013
First time this has ever happened. I have always kept Catee's claws cut. I can usually tell when it is time when his a claw starts getting stuck on the rug when he walks. Well I was going to do it today and was looking at his claws this morning. One has grown into the pad of the paw. Freak me out and here I am worried about it.

I tried pulling it thinking it wasn't in there that deep, but it will not pull out. So I have to make a decision, try to cut it myself or take him to the vet.

He puts up a pretty big fit when I usually cut his claws, I can only imagine how this will feel to him. Since he has diabetes I assume he is more prone to infections.

Opinions on trying it myself or taking to the vet?

THanks
D
 
Niko has a nail that does this every 6 months. He is a very mellow cat, but I have always thought trimming his nails would push the relationship :D So I take him in and it costs about $20. For me, it's worth every penny.....
 
If you can get him to let you make a cut on that nail, he will probably chew it out himself.
In the interests of safety, however, I think I'd let a vet office do it so they can check for infection and if needed, give him a little bit of sedative.
 
It all depend upon the cat. What you have to to do is clip the nail so you can then pull the pointy end from the pad. I would have help restraining the cat if I were to do it. Then apple antibiotic to the puncture
 
Well, I went ahead and cut his claws with some help. What a a hissy fit I tell you! :)

I guess the good thing was that it had not went in that deep into the paw pad. I put on my reading glasses so I good see it better. The claw was loose from the pad, so I went ahead and cut it. It was the toughest hardest claw I have ever cut. Took me four times to clip it off. Hurt him like heck.
It looks much like this third picture on this link:

http://felinediseases.weebly.com/claw-problems.html

I mean super thick. The rest of his nails were not as bad. There was a little piece of the claw sticking into the pad and it was hurting him very bad. Actually the nail itself was hurting I know. So I just took my finger and pulled it out. No blood. Although I still wiped some rubbing alcohol on it and put neopsorin.

So I am so thankful to lord that it wasn't deeper... I would not have tried doing it if it was in there deeper. He just can not be held. I think I picked him up 10 times. I will have to check him each week from now on. I think the thick nails is from him not grooming as much while having the diabetes. Plus he does not use his scratch pad anymore.

Whew! I am give out and the cat is too.
 
Maybe use positive reinforcement/treats and work on desensitizing him to having his feet handled.
Start very, very small - maybe stroke his leg down to the paw and give him a treat once or twice a day until he's very comfortable with it.
After a couple weeks, actually gently grasp then release the paw and treat.
Slowly build up the degree of contact and manipulation.

Also, I've seen scratch pads with a metal ridged system which are supposed to work well. You might see if you can get him to play with a string type toy and drag it onto the scratch pad to help him wear them down.
 
Think it is too late to teach a old cat new tricks? He just hates having his paws handled. Use to not be so bad cutting his claws but since the diabetes has returned he just really does pitch one. I am going to get a different scratch pad and see if it will interest him. He is still sleeping all the time. More active some days than others. Got to get the BG Down.

Kimmie, Congrats on Hank being OTJ!!!
 
Thanks for posting, I have the issue but with one of my civvies. This claw seems pretty thick, way thicker than the rest. She lets me cut her nails (a couple at a time) but she puts up a fuss (like I'm trying to cut her foot off). Trying to cut this one will give her a lasting impression that future trims will be as bad. So, I'm going to take her to the vet for a full nail trim - and she has a slightly swollen lip (like an allergic reaction), so it'll be a two-fer visit.
 
Take a look at the nail file for dog claws. It may be that using that on the tip would help the outer nail layers separate more normally so they can be shed using a scratching pad.
 
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