My cat Luna (3 years old) seems to have broken her nail in the last couple days. I took her to the vet yesterday but as she was “too difficult” they refused to examine her at all, let alone look at her nail and stated she’d need sedation which would cost £500. I have insurance but I’d rather not put her through such a stressful situation if it can be avoided. The broken part that was attached yesterday has come off on its own but the nail underneath seems to be splintered and there is a bit of dried blood underneath. What should i do? I’ve been trying to clean it with warm water and epsom salts but she despises water and will most definitely not let me soak her paw in it. I’ve also noticed a nail on her back paw that looks as though the bottom has been ripped off. Theres no bleeding though. Shes otherwise acting normally, doesn't seem to be in pain, no limping and it doesn't seem to be infected either. I’d greatly appreciate any advice as the vet was pretty much useless, didn’t tell me how to care for it or what to watch out for :/
luna0021
My cat Luna (3 years old) seems to have broken her nail in the last couple days. I took her to the vet yesterday but as she was “too difficult” they refused to examine her at all, let alone look at her nail and stated she’d need sedation which would cost £500. I have insurance but I’d rather not put her through such a stressful situation if it can be avoided. The broken part that was attached yesterday has come off on its own but the nail underneath seems to be splintered and there is a bit of dried blood underneath. What should i do? I’ve been trying to clean it with warm water and epsom salts but she despises water and will most definitely not let me soak her paw in it. I’ve also noticed a nail on her back paw that looks as though the bottom has been ripped off. Theres no bleeding though. Shes otherwise acting normally, doesn't seem to be in pain, no limping and it doesn't seem to be infected either. I’d greatly appreciate any advice as the vet was pretty much useless, didn’t tell me how to care for it or what to watch out for :/
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Broken nail
My cat Luna (3 years old) seems to have broken her nail in the last couple days. I took her to the vet yesterday but as she was “too difficult” they refused to examine her at all, let alone look at her nail and stated she’d need sedation which would cost £500. I have insurance but I’d rather not put her through such a stressful situation if it can be avoided. The broken part that was attached yesterday has come off on its own but the nail underneath seems to be splintered and there is a bit of dried blood underneath. What should i do? I’ve been trying to clean it with warm water and epsom salts but she despises water and will most definitely not let me soak her paw in it. I’ve also noticed a nail on her back paw that looks as though the bottom has been ripped off. Theres no bleeding though. Shes otherwise acting normally, doesn't seem to be in pain, no limping and it doesn't seem to be infected either. I’d greatly appreciate any advice as the vet was pretty much useless, didn’t tell me how to care for it or what to watch out for :/
I hope you will find a new vet practice after this.
Broken nails in cats indicate some kind of injury or accident usually. Like being knocked down by a car, or a tail pull from a mean person. Or simply even trying to scale a brick wall.
I expect the claws will be okay. Once in a while I accidentally get a quick when I am trimming cat claws, they don't even notice. It bleeds for a minute or two then stops.
Keep an eye on them, to watch for any infection setting in, and look for a new vet. I would not trust a vet whose first action is to sedate a stressed cat, let alone anesthetize her!.
My Mazy cat had terrible fear aggression at the vet, and everyone who ever handled her there had probably be bitten at least once. But they learned how to cope. Once, only once, the vet tentatively suggested drugging her (not complete sedation), but my reaction to that kept her from ever mentioning it again.
Is she normally "un-handle-able" at the vet?
Broken nails in cats indicate some kind of injury or accident usually. Like being knocked down by a car, or a tail pull from a mean person. Or simply even trying to scale a brick wall.
I expect the claws will be okay. Once in a while I accidentally get a quick when I am trimming cat claws, they don't even notice. It bleeds for a minute or two then stops.
Keep an eye on them, to watch for any infection setting in, and look for a new vet. I would not trust a vet whose first action is to sedate a stressed cat, let alone anesthetize her!.
My Mazy cat had terrible fear aggression at the vet, and everyone who ever handled her there had probably be bitten at least once. But they learned how to cope. Once, only once, the vet tentatively suggested drugging her (not complete sedation), but my reaction to that kept her from ever mentioning it again.
Is she normally "un-handle-able" at the vet?
Can you check her other claws? If it’s just one it sounds like she has accidentally ripped it. It will feel sore to her do keep an eye to make sure it doesn’t get inflamed. You can bathe in warm salt water if she’ll let you.
You can compare her feet to feel the temperature and check it’s not swelling. If she goes off her food or seems lethargic then take her straight to the vets.
I am shocked by your vets reaction to wanting to sedate. You could ask for gabapentin to be prescribed for future vet visits - this can be given in food 2 hours before hand and will lightly calm the cat and usually make them more susceptible to handling and examination. It is strong stuff though depending on the dose so you need to keep an eye on the cat whilst it’s wearing off (they are vulnerable to falling if they try to jump etc).
You can compare her feet to feel the temperature and check it’s not swelling. If she goes off her food or seems lethargic then take her straight to the vets.
I am shocked by your vets reaction to wanting to sedate. You could ask for gabapentin to be prescribed for future vet visits - this can be given in food 2 hours before hand and will lightly calm the cat and usually make them more susceptible to handling and examination. It is strong stuff though depending on the dose so you need to keep an eye on the cat whilst it’s wearing off (they are vulnerable to falling if they try to jump etc).
How to train a cat to accept nail trimming. My Method. (it works!)
Get kitty used to having his/her paws touched. You can do this any time kitty is relaxed, stroke the paws, hold them between your fingers and apply pressure, when the claws extend, stroke in between the claws and so forth. But you also want to make the training more purposeful. I call that Paw Work.
Use treats for incentive. Something wet and smearable is best. Depending on kitty's preference, softened butter, yogurt, even cream cheese can be used. You don't need to use a lot, just make sure it's soft enough to smear. You can place a tiny dot (less than pea sized) on the mouth, and kitty will be licking it off as you work.
Decide on a position you intend to use for nail trimming, whatever is most comfortable for both you and your cat. I sit on the floor and hold the cat in my lap (upright). I used to have the one kitty perched on the table, draped over my arm, because I thought that's what she preferred, but lately I've found she prefers being held in my lap on the floor, like the other cats.
Paw Work (do daily during training)
Get treats ready.
Get kitty into position. Tell him/her what you are doing and why. Speak in a soft voice, use kitty's name a lot, offering many reassurances, throughout the process. Be confident.
Place a tiny blob of butter (or other soft wet treat) on kitty's mouth and while kitty is working on treat, take each paw and hold it between your fingers and thumb and gently press to extend the claws. Use this time to look carefully at the claws. Notice where the quick is, the pink part, you want to avoid snipping close to that, as it will hurt and bleed.
After each paw, give a treat (another lick of butter, or whatever). Then release kitty and give one more treat.
If kitty struggles at first, be firm and hold on. Speak softly and reassuringly. Kitty needs to learn that struggling will not get him/her released, and that what you are doing is not going to hurt in any way.
Of course, use your own judgment about if s/he is getting TOO upset. You don't want the cat to get traumatized, but you don't want to give in too easily either. If you do release kitty, give a 15 minute break, then resume, until all paws are done.
When you think kitty is ready, instead of just looking at the claws, snip the tips. I suggest just starting with the tips until you gain skill, to avoid getting the quick. As you become more practiced you will be able to cut them a bit shorter.
If you can only get one tip in a session, that's fine. Slow and easy does it is the the way to success. Next time you might get two tips. And so on.
As you snip, continue to smear little dots of butter (or other treat) on the mouth as needed to keep kitty occupied.
When it's all over, give a final taste of the butter (or other) by offering it on a spoon or your finger, for kitty to lick off, instead of smearing it on kitty's mouth. (this is important, so s/he knows that's the end of it for that time)
PS Just remember there is no rush for kitty to learn to accept this. It takes as long as it takes. One of my cats goes berserk if her paws are touched. It took over three years of daily Paw Work before she would allow even one snip of a claw tip.
It took another three years to get to the back feet. She is now 16+ years old and I can do all four paws in less than 2 minutes! She hates it and growls warnings through out but with her little smears of butter on her mouth she's too busy licking to bite or struggle. She trusts me and knows, even though she hates it, that I would never hurt her.
If you could hear her, making yummy noises and trying to sound fierce with her growling at the same time! GRRRRRyumyumyummyRRRRI'MWARNINGYOUmmmmumyummyRRRRR
I no longer do the daily Paw Work with her, but I did continue it for a long time.
Get kitty used to having his/her paws touched. You can do this any time kitty is relaxed, stroke the paws, hold them between your fingers and apply pressure, when the claws extend, stroke in between the claws and so forth. But you also want to make the training more purposeful. I call that Paw Work.
Use treats for incentive. Something wet and smearable is best. Depending on kitty's preference, softened butter, yogurt, even cream cheese can be used. You don't need to use a lot, just make sure it's soft enough to smear. You can place a tiny dot (less than pea sized) on the mouth, and kitty will be licking it off as you work.
Decide on a position you intend to use for nail trimming, whatever is most comfortable for both you and your cat. I sit on the floor and hold the cat in my lap (upright). I used to have the one kitty perched on the table, draped over my arm, because I thought that's what she preferred, but lately I've found she prefers being held in my lap on the floor, like the other cats.
Paw Work (do daily during training)
Get treats ready.
Get kitty into position. Tell him/her what you are doing and why. Speak in a soft voice, use kitty's name a lot, offering many reassurances, throughout the process. Be confident.
Place a tiny blob of butter (or other soft wet treat) on kitty's mouth and while kitty is working on treat, take each paw and hold it between your fingers and thumb and gently press to extend the claws. Use this time to look carefully at the claws. Notice where the quick is, the pink part, you want to avoid snipping close to that, as it will hurt and bleed.
After each paw, give a treat (another lick of butter, or whatever). Then release kitty and give one more treat.
If kitty struggles at first, be firm and hold on. Speak softly and reassuringly. Kitty needs to learn that struggling will not get him/her released, and that what you are doing is not going to hurt in any way.
Of course, use your own judgment about if s/he is getting TOO upset. You don't want the cat to get traumatized, but you don't want to give in too easily either. If you do release kitty, give a 15 minute break, then resume, until all paws are done.
When you think kitty is ready, instead of just looking at the claws, snip the tips. I suggest just starting with the tips until you gain skill, to avoid getting the quick. As you become more practiced you will be able to cut them a bit shorter.
If you can only get one tip in a session, that's fine. Slow and easy does it is the the way to success. Next time you might get two tips. And so on.
As you snip, continue to smear little dots of butter (or other treat) on the mouth as needed to keep kitty occupied.
When it's all over, give a final taste of the butter (or other) by offering it on a spoon or your finger, for kitty to lick off, instead of smearing it on kitty's mouth. (this is important, so s/he knows that's the end of it for that time)
PS Just remember there is no rush for kitty to learn to accept this. It takes as long as it takes. One of my cats goes berserk if her paws are touched. It took over three years of daily Paw Work before she would allow even one snip of a claw tip.
It took another three years to get to the back feet. She is now 16+ years old and I can do all four paws in less than 2 minutes! She hates it and growls warnings through out but with her little smears of butter on her mouth she's too busy licking to bite or struggle. She trusts me and knows, even though she hates it, that I would never hurt her.
If you could hear her, making yummy noises and trying to sound fierce with her growling at the same time! GRRRRRyumyumyummyRRRRI'MWARNINGYOUmmmmumyummyRRRRR
I no longer do the daily Paw Work with her, but I did continue it for a long time.
PS . I wrote that out a long time ago. I never realized before that I used the word "kitty" so often and reading it now, it annoys the heck out of me that I worte "kitty" instead of "cat" lol. Oh well. The one cat I mentioned above, she's gone now, but she is the one I was talking about before as well, who had fear aggression at the vet. She sent me to the ER a number of times with bites too. But she did learn to accept nail trims.
Queen Eva, 13 yo, my only remaining cat has had nail trims since she was a baby and she hates it with a passion. She allows it, because I trained her very carefully, and she prefers to be wrapped in a towel, head covered, and I pull one paw out at a time. She screams the house down through the whole process, but she just screams on principle, being held against her will.
Once she got so upset, I'd never seen her struggle so much or scream so loud. When I finally released her I discovered why. I didn't know it, but she'd had a full bladder when I started, and the poor thing released, and peed all over me and herself. That was years ago, but since then I never do a nail trim until I know she has had a pee recently.
Queen Eva, 13 yo, my only remaining cat has had nail trims since she was a baby and she hates it with a passion. She allows it, because I trained her very carefully, and she prefers to be wrapped in a towel, head covered, and I pull one paw out at a time. She screams the house down through the whole process, but she just screams on principle, being held against her will.
Once she got so upset, I'd never seen her struggle so much or scream so loud. When I finally released her I discovered why. I didn't know it, but she'd had a full bladder when I started, and the poor thing released, and peed all over me and herself. That was years ago, but since then I never do a nail trim until I know she has had a pee recently.
I get my lots claws done at the vets usually when I am there for something else! Or the nurses do it!
It looks like it’s where it has bled. Is it hot to touch? Is it swollen compared to the other one? Will she put her foot down and walk on it? If yes to any of those I would want to take her in for it to be looked at and maybe given a pain killer.
Is your vet open on a Sat am? Perhaps make an app so you have one in hand just in case.
Is your vet open on a Sat am? Perhaps make an app so you have one in hand just in case.
I would keep an eye and bathe it if you can. Warm salted water. If anything changes then vets straight away. Also if she went off her food or anything.
My instinct would be phone around and see if you can get her seen with another vet. It does seem excessive for an examination. If you speak to another one just tell them she can be seen held with a towel or you would be happy to give her some gabapentin if they can prescribe it to you.
It does look like the mail has ripped off which could be sore but so far doesn’t look angry. Is she eating ok and walking on it ok? ETA walking fine which is good!!
You could also say to the vets you have photos to email too. The original vets obviously don’t think she’s an emergency I agree. I think you need to find a new vet if you can. You can be registered with more than one - just need to give permissions for them to get her records.
It does look like the mail has ripped off which could be sore but so far doesn’t look angry. Is she eating ok and walking on it ok? ETA walking fine which is good!!
You could also say to the vets you have photos to email too. The original vets obviously don’t think she’s an emergency I agree. I think you need to find a new vet if you can. You can be registered with more than one - just need to give permissions for them to get her records.
It doesn't sound like an emergency to me either, and I wouldn't be paying £700 to get her sedated for an examination. That amount should pay for full anaesthetic, bloods, fluids & x-ray - or at least it would here. It's more than I paid last year for a dental, and more than I paid for a breast lump removal & biopsy (ruptured milk duct) with fluids.
Right? I was taken aback by the estimate too, especially considering she had to have a nail removed a couple years back (on a different paw - not declawing) and it amounted to much less than that. I’ve seen the itemised receipt and they’re charging £100 just to admit and discharge her. I wanted to ask if you think it would be necessary to take her to the vets at all for this? Is it possible for it to heal on its own as long as I keep it clean? @huckybuck (sorry to keep bothering you)
It’s fine lol. I really don’t know (I’m not a vet).
I think keeping an eye on it, keeping it clean and keeping an eye on her and then see. If there was any change that would be my cue to get to a vet.
I think keeping an eye on it, keeping it clean and keeping an eye on her and then see. If there was any change that would be my cue to get to a vet.
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