Please Help - Immediate Responses Needed!!!!!!!!!

[pjackson]

Hello All,

I am very concerned about a situation that occurred lastnight that I really need input on, please bare with me it's a long post.

I was attempting to cut the nails of my four month old female rottie pup, Nikita. I take excellent care of her, provide the best care, am doing an excellent job with training, both house and obedience, and even with grooming (Brushing, teeth brushing and ear cleaning). People are sometimes amazed at the progress I have made with her at this early an age. But one thing that I have neglected is her nails. I would attempt, she would fuss, and I wouldn't bother anymore or I may have sometimes just didn't bother although I did everything else very well. I was attempting to cut her nails with the help of my girlfriend, who was actually doing the cutting while I was holding her. I wasn't hurting her, throwing her around, or man handlling her. I was simply holding her by had to very tightly because of her strength, and we made a little progress, we cut 2 1/2 paws. During the time I would stop sometimes, or she would get away, but I would still hold her as she would try to wiggled her way out like a bunny. It became my allowing her to know I would not allow her to over power me because I am the Alpha Male. To explain that a little further my Rottie is right now about 35lbs, strong, and getting bigger by the day. She was the biggest of both all of the males and other females in the little of 8. I am not big guy, I am about 5'5 lean but muscular, and weigh about 160lbs, my girlfriend is even smaller she's 5' maybe 100lbs or so, and for the ladies who knows sizes she wears a size 2. Our sons, although not together won't be that big either. Nikita will get to be at least 110-120lbs if not more. I don't want her to think she can over power me ever, especially my girlfriend or children. I only went there to say it became me not wanting her to think anything than the utmost respect for me, which in a lot of ways she does, but certain things I want established before she gets to be her full size. Also this is something that had to be done by me, because if it was that difficult for me, if I send her to a groomer to have it done, what methods will they use that may be harmful, so I rather do at least I have her care as my greatest concern. Now back to my story. During the last go round of me holding her, I notices some droppings of either red or drak brown liquid substance. I touched it to smell, and it wasn't feces or anything, and as soon as Nikita noticed it, she immediately licked it all up, which I know they do when they are on the mentrual cycle. If that was blood, why so soon because she's only four months? Is she an early bloomer and should I be concerned, or by me holding her did I exicite or hurt something. To give you a visual: Imagine her on your right side, with your right arm over her back, and underneath her belly holding. Your left arm is placeunder her chest, but around to her shoulder, basically like giving a hug. I don't know what it was, but I am very concerned, and ask for as much input as possible.

[Judi W]

Probably from one of the nails.

[KellyWrae]

I'm not a vet but I have clipped alot of dog nails and it sounds like one of the nails got cut to the vein and bled.

[pjackson]

But the droplets came from under her bottom area, and the way I holding her and where the droplets were and the nails we already her, I doubt that it was from the nails, but I could be wrong I guess.

[LORHEL]

It sounds like you may have touched on the quick of the nail.

When that happens, it usually bleeds everywhere, there is stuff available at the petstores, to stop it. Sounds like you got lucky though, and maybe just brushed it...enough for a few drops.

We have a thread or two here, and there are actually pictures of a toenail on some site.... if you need me to, I would be glad to direct you there....as to how and where to stop cutting the nail. I did it myself and had a horrible mess awhile ago.

I had nothing around, but they suggested using flour, and needless to say it was a white and red mess.

The only reason I cut too short, was my husband was supposed to be holding her, and she moved her paw back when I had the clippers in them.

Not a fun thing.

Good for you, there is just no way we can rely on the vet to do this. I swear I am up to once a week trimming nails. Her's grow quicker than mine, and she isn't drinking milk.

[frontierrots]

IF the liquid was a reddish brown it also could have been anal gland liquid which dogs express when they are scared

[Burnsway]

Originally posted by frontierrots
IF the liquid was a reddish brown it also could have been anal gland liquid which dogs express when they are scared

I was thinking this also but usually "THAT" smells and he said their was no smell to it.......

Never the less I think getting the nail issue under control would be a better thing to worry about then a drop of blood or anal liquid.....:D

[pjackson]

Thanks all for your reply, and because I do doubt that it was from her nails sue to the position of where it was, the nail we were cutting, and the way I was holding, although I could be wrong. Nevertheless, I would like to explore frontierrots diagnosis. Is this common regarding their anal gland, and would it smell because this really had no smell to it at all, and although it was on a grey blanket, it was reddish brown.

[Burnsway]

Well it is not totally on heard of for early heat cycles but highly unusual at this time I would think. Is her private area flared up at all? Why don't you take her in to the vet and just have the vet give her a good look over........;)

[pjackson]

To take her to the vet was my first instinct, but today they don't open until 1:00, and close at 5:00. But I do want to at least speak with him about it, and he private areas don't look inflamed at all.

[Beckysmom]

Could try bedding her on something that will show if there is anymore of the whatever, and holding her in same way while girlfriend does same motions near nails but does not actually cut anything to try to help determine if it is an early heat, vs. a fear reaction, vs. some blood from the nails that got near the ano-genital area.

My last dog did best with nail trimming if I combined it with a tummy rub and "T-Touch". My current rescue is horrible about it, so you are wise to start it young. Some dogs do better if they are standing and have individual feet lifted like a horse, while someone holds a treat at the nose end to keep them still. Sometimes feeling out of control can scare a dog more than what is actually happening. I am about your height and no doubt less strong, and I can still be "Alpha" without turning things into a physical strength battle, which I would lose.

The styptic sticks sting, and may make things worse if there's a cut. I like to do nails more often and just a little bit at a time off the ends to be sure I don't hit the quick. If the nail did get cut so it bled she is probably going to be even less eager to have it done next time, and you will need to take that into account. I would personally do so by trying to make the experience as pleasant as possible.

[MacyKach]

I experienced the same problem with Macy, but she is three and is 109 pounds. I cut her nails as a pup and then didnt do it for awhile because she had TPLO surgery on both hind legs. I experienced that Macy is more comfortable and there is less of a struggle is someone else hugs her and I do the cutting.