BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I was trying to clip rodneys nails today. He was good about sitting there and not squirming or anything, but when I would put the clipper oh his nail he would pull his toe away. Any advice on how to get him to not pull away? Also, how short should I cut them? It doesn't say in the caresheet.

You just got to be fast and have a firm hold on their feet. For cutting length, just nip the sharp tips off.

yeah, but be careful not to cut where the blood runs through in the nails, if there was any blood, well there is with iguanas, maybe with skinks too, its better to have some one there to distract him while your snipping away you could also try cutting the nails while hes eating

Do it first thing in the morning if possible before they've warmed up, or take them away from the lights/sun to cool down a little, I used to tickle his feet to encourage him out from his hide it worked for a while, now he ignores me and this has made him tollerant to doing nails, only done it once mind, I'd sooner let him wheelspin on the patio to get the nails down. If you cut ,just snip the see through bit as above this is the quike and thats where the blood supply for the toe is.

Do you have somebody that can help you hold your bluey? You also might want to think about clipping nails throughout the day...or week. I find that I can clip one foot before the skink gets a little restless.

Ya know, I was wondering the same thing...

You also might want to think about clipping nails throughout the day...or week. I find that I can clip one foot before the skink gets a little restless.

Never thought of that. Good idea. I've been thinking about it alot myself. The kids are afraid to hold her because of her sharp nails.

You just got to be fast and have a firm hold on their feet.

I am so afraid of breaking a bone in her little foot.

I don't think Sammy would stand still if she were eating. I think she'd run if I approach her when she's chowing down.

Good thread Phantom!

I'm a wimp, I bring LittleFoot to the groomers at PetSmart to do it. I did my dogs nails no problem, but when it comes to herps and birds, I take them to the groomers. The one I go to is used to herps, she has a 5 foot iguana of her own.

I find it easier to clip Chunka's nails after a nice long soak in her tub. The nails are little softer and she's worn out from trying to get out of the tub...lol I do it while she's still in the water and if I trim a little too close and there is some blood, the water helps it stop faster I think. She doesn't bleed a lot like a dog does when you hit their quick, very monir bleeding in her case. Her nails are really thick and uniform in size and shape, whereas Mr. Booger's nails have a very sharp tiny point like a kitten's nails. His are more difficult to trim and are still very sharp after a trim. I can never hold him against my chest/shoulders/neck with a tank top on, he shreds me to bits.

Great advice, people....

How much does it cost to bring him to a groomer?

I have to smerk at that title, you'd imagine they'd need fur for grooming

I know it's $10 to get the dogs nails clipped at Petco. I don't know if it's more or less for a lizard.

I don't think I'd trust the groomers at our Petco or Petsmart to clip Sammy's nails. They are primarily Dog/Cat groomers.

I tried to trim Sammy's nails yesterday. The problem is, her nails are so light and she's so small, I can't really see what I'm clipping. And when she'd pull away, I was afraid of breaking her toe.

Did some of you just wait until your bluey was older to clip their nails so they'd be more visible?

Also, how many of you have tried to just run your bluey's nails over an emery board? I'm thinking about that route...

In each enclosure, I have a slightly elevated tile under the basking spot. The tile is rough, and when the skinks try to climb up on the tile, they scrape their nails on it. I found it at least slows how fast the nails grow.

Do you think concrete is too rough to put in as a slanted step up to a basking spot? I was thinking that would help with the nails but I'm worried about her tummy.

I have my brother that can hold him. But he's extremely touchy about his legs. If I even touch them on accident he pulls his legs away. It's strange. I can't give him a bath because he doesn't know that he can't breathe underwater and might drown. I got one foot done the other day but he's really touchy about it. I am trying to get him used to me touching his legs. I will pet him and gradually make my way to his legs. Or slowly and lightly touch his legs.

Zach wrote:Great advice, people....

How much does it cost to bring him to a groomer?

They charge me $5. I don't know if every PetSmart does it, it is probably at the groomers discretion.

mom22wins wrote:Do you think concrete is too rough to put in as a slanted step up to a basking spot? I was thinking that would help with the nails but I'm worried about her tummy.

I don't think it would be a problem!

I should be getting my enclosure today or tomorrow and I plan to create a little concrete ramp for her that will lead up to her basking tile.

I just love setting up a new enclosure! lol

Touching their feet a lot when you have them out helps with squirming...

...as for jerking the foot away once you line up the clippers, I just go in quick and fast (pardon the pun) yes once in a while I hit the quick a little and there's a very small touch of blood, however, from all advice I've had, this is normal.

KW

Have you guys cut the nails of your babies under 3 months? I can't really see her little nails. They blend so well into her toes. I could cut off the toe itself!