Black colored dog nails

Question:

>It’s ridiculous, so I’m going to try it myself. She’s a struggler, so it’ll >be a real challenge!  Anal glands can be the responsibility of the groomer >or techs – and I won’t feel bad about that, no matter what rude posts might >appear!  :)  Hannah dislikes her anal glands being expressed even more than >nails trimmed/ears cleaned, so I’ll let her associate that with strangers, >not with me.

Excuse a dog newbie but what is this about anal glands? I don’t have a dog yet but plan on getting one hopefully in the next year. I’ve never heard about this before. Tx, Neil Law Waterloo, On, Canada

Response:

No problem – we’re all here to learn! Anal glands or sacs are small glands by a dog’s anus. They fill with a fluid that has to be removed somehow. This fluid is foul! Dogs that spend a lot of time outside, or who have food that gives them a very firm, dense stool can sometimes keep theirs fairly empty. Other dogs have them emptied (called "expressing" the glands) by a groomer or other pet professional. If the glands aren’t expressed, they can become infected or even burst. If a dog is dragging its tush on the floor or ground, chances are it needs its anal glands expressed. A groomer/vet tech will do this for a nominal fee. It’s not painful for the dog – just a little embarrassing, probably! (I know Hannah HATES it when someone is messing with her tushie.)  Afterwards, the dog might drag its bottom for a day or so, ’cause it can itch a little, but shortly afterward the dragging should stop. Go for it – dogs are wonderful!! They need attention, and a bit of grooming (which is something you can learn to do yourself), but they are more than worth it. When you go to find your new friend, ask here for advice on where to look or what breed might be good for you.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->It’s ridiculous, so I’m going to try it myself. She’s a struggler, so it’ll >be a real challenge!  Anal glands can be the responsibility of the groomer >or techs – and I won’t feel bad about that, no matter what rude posts might >appear!  :)  Hannah dislikes her anal glands being expressed even more than >nails trimmed/ears cleaned, so I’ll let her associate that with strangers, >not with me. > Excuse a dog newbie but what is this about anal glands? I don’t have a dog yet > but plan on getting one hopefully in the next year. I’ve never heard about this > before. > Tx, > Neil Law > Waterloo, On, Canada

Response:

My vet charges $15.00 to trim nails – I could not afford to take Boo in every time he needs his nails done.  He has some dark coloured ones too, I try to guage their lenghth against the other nails, but I do worry I might hurt him. Sue MacKenzie

Response:

I try to clip our dogs nails about every other Sunday, so that we it is a routine.  A routine chore.  Usually I have the dog lay on the floor next to me – back against my leg.  That way I can bring the leg in close to the body.  It seems from trail and error that they move less like that.  I have a pair of clipper that I bought from Petsmart that has a "safety" on it.  It will only let you cut a little bit at a time.  This is great because when the foot is jumping around if the dog wont stay still you know you’re not going to cut off to much.   Because I regularly trip the dog’s nails, I don’t worry about getting extremely close to the quick.  I also have treats on hand that I can use as a distraction.  Just to let you know that if my mistake you do cut too far that baking soda is suppose to help stop the bleeding.  If it works I dont know, but that is what I have read.  Also try and touch/play with your dogs feed when you are not clipping the nails.  This will help her get used to you holding her foot. Good luck, Jennifer

Response:

You might find you like using a cordless dremel grinder better than the clippers – much more control and the edges end up smooth not sharp Nancy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My vet charges $15.00 to trim nails – I could not afford to take Boo in every > time he needs his nails done.  He has some dark coloured ones too, I try to > guage their lenghth against the other nails, but I do worry I might hurt him. > Sue MacKenzie

Response:

>No problem – we’re all here to learn! >Anal glands or sacs are small glands by a dog’s anus. They fill with a fluid >that has to be removed somehow. This fluid is foul!

Thanks for the information, I think . Actually that is really good to know. >Go for it – dogs are wonderful!! They need attention, and a bit of grooming >(which is something you can learn to do yourself), but they are more than >worth it. When you go to find your new friend, ask here for advice on where >to look or what breed might be good for you.

I’m definitely going to be getting a dog. I’ve been doing reading and research for a couple of years and settled on a Labrador Retriever as the dog of choice. It seems to have all of the characteristics I’m looking for in terms of temperament, companionship, level of exercise, ability to be trained, etc.  We even started looking at breeders a year ago this past spring. That was put on hold when we decided to buy a brand new house. Figured the move would be too traumatic for a new dog and until we got sod in thought it best to wait. Unfortunately with all of this d*mn rain we’ve been having the landscaper and lawn people are really behind schedule. My wife really wants to wait so the lab doesn’t track in too much dirt. So, it may wait until next spring before we take the plunge. Tx, Neil Law Waterloo, On, Canada

Response:

Yep, seems to be the rage with vets nowadays!  Have had Elkies for 19 years; never heard of this until 3 years ago.  Neither had other dog owning friends!!  What gives?? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->It’s ridiculous, so I’m going to try it myself. She’s a struggler, so it’ll >be a real challenge!  Anal glands can be the responsibility of the groomer >or techs – and I won’t feel bad about that, no matter what rude posts might >appear!  :)  Hannah dislikes her anal glands being expressed even more than >nails trimmed/ears cleaned, so I’ll let her associate that with strangers, >not with me. > Excuse a dog newbie but what is this about anal glands? I don’t have a dog yet > but plan on getting one hopefully in the next year. I’ve never heard about this > before. > Tx, > Neil Law > Waterloo, On, Canada

Response:

What a topical post!  Hannah’s nails are all black, and the vet techs at my vet’s office are useless when it comes to trimming them. She keeps coming back (after 7-10 dollars for the trouble) with nails just as long as they were before! It’s ridiculous, so I’m going to try it myself. She’s a struggler, so it’ll be a real challenge!  Anal glands can be the responsibility of the groomer or techs – and I won’t feel bad about that, no matter what rude posts might appear!  :)  Hannah dislikes her anal glands being expressed even more than nails trimmed/ears cleaned, so I’ll let her associate that with strangers, not with me.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> HI: > One of my dogs, SARA, has mostly very dark/black nails. Only about three of > them are clear/white. It is very hard to see the quick inside. Sometimes I > will try to hold a flashlight up behind her nails to help me see through > them. I wish they were all see-through. > — > Phil > (Spam Block: remove the #9 )

Response:

> What a topical post!  Hannah’s nails are all black, and the vet techs at my > vet’s office are useless when it comes to trimming them. She keeps coming > back (after 7-10 dollars for the trouble) with nails just as long as they > were before!

Long, but with nice sharp edges from the clipper … I use a Dremel to grind Oscar’s nails.  There was a brief honeymoon period when we switched from the clippers, but now he’s back to his customary habit of struggling for the first foot or two (and I’ve only done this, what, 150+ times?)  The good thing about the Dremel is that I’m less worried about hurting him, so I feel more confident about just carrying on and getting the job done. Since a nail grinder works fairly gradually, it’s quite easy to tell when you’re getting close to the quick.  As other people have said, a dot starts to appear in the center of the nail.  Oscar has greyish nails, and I stop grinding when a white spot starts to appear.  It’s easier to see what’s going on if you’re looking at the nail from underneath; I hold Oscar’s paws like a farrier holds a horse’s foot, bent at the "wrist" with the bottom of the paw pointing up. Kristine & Oscar

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->HI: >One of my dogs, SARA, has mostly very dark/black nails. Only about three of >them are clear/white. It is very hard to see the quick inside. Sometimes I >will try to hold a flashlight up behind her nails to help me see through >them. I wish they were all see-through. >– >Phil >(Spam Block: remove the #9 ) >I too have this with both my little dogs, I just pay my vet 5.00 to do nails & >butt glands regularly, & its safer for my dogs & vet dont mind. (groom myself >but groomers can do this too) >Tina/mookeysmom > "new photos added to photo album & slide show": >http://community.webshots.com/album/1423111eQdinNWDrt > dont 4get to sign my guestbook )  

Can you manage to feed them by yourself or do you have to pay people to do that too.

Response:

If you look at the underside of the nail, you will be able to see approx. where the quick stops. Compare it to the white nails and you will see what I am talking about… Hope this helps Krisann, vet asst.

:>to see the quick inside. : :All of my dog’s nails are black. (The inside of his nails are whitish.) Take :tiny clips, and look at the cut end of the nail after each clip. As the :quick approaches, you will see a gray dot in the middle of the whitish cut :end. My motto is "When you see the dot, it’s time to stop". : :

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->HI: >One of my dogs, SARA, has mostly very dark/black nails. Only about three of >them are clear/white. It is very hard to see the quick inside. Sometimes I >will try to hold a flashlight up behind her nails to help me see through >them. I wish they were all see-through. >– >Phil >(Spam Block: remove the #9 )

I too have this with both my little dogs, I just pay my vet 5.00 to do nails & butt glands regularly, & its safer for my dogs & vet dont mind. (groom myself but groomers can do this too) Tina/mookeysmom  "new photos added to photo album & slide show": http://community.webshots.com/album/1423111eQdinNWDrt  dont 4get to sign my guestbook )  

Response:

> HI: > One of my dogs, SARA, has mostly very dark/black nails. Only about three of > them are clear/white. It is very hard to see the quick inside. Sometimes I > will try to hold a flashlight up behind her nails to help me see through > them. I wish they were all see-through.

If you trim just a little at a time, you can visually see a center area before you get to the bleeding part. — Toni www.irish-wolfhounds.com Click the "Update on Steve"

Response:

>to see the quick inside.

All of my dog’s nails are black. (The inside of his nails are whitish.) Take tiny clips, and look at the cut end of the nail after each clip. As the quick approaches, you will see a gray dot in the middle of the whitish cut end. My motto is "When you see the dot, it’s time to stop".

Response:

Related Posts