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scissors
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:07 pm
by mewzic-7123
to cut a my bluetongeskinks nails, is it okay to use a small pair of scissors to snip them?

and if so do i cut them in a angle to keep them sharp or do i just snip it so its short?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:10 pm
by LittleFoot
I would personally not use scissors, I use a small animal nail trimmer (for a cat) or take him to a groomer. Just cut the tips to get rid of the sharpness and have Qwik Stop on hand just in case.
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:27 pm
by SailleSkinklover
My vet tech actually used a small nail clipper like people use. It worked fine! I held Chuff, and she clipped away. No blood, no mess or anything.
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:47 am
by Leigh
I use human nail clippers on my Beardie and the patio on the skink
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:48 am
by kris21
My Shingles need their nails cut from the looks of it, im not sure how to approach it seeing they are only new to me and i don't know their temprament....i don't want one of those finger slammed in the car door bites, lol.
Kristy
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:11 am
by Leigh
Take them out of the sun or away from the lights to cool off a little, or get them first thing before they warm up, the back feet are the hardest as some skinks can be touchy when they get contact to the rear region
So I've read...
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:44 am
by lernmeabook
I've read that it's ok to use scissors.. but I don't know that from experience. My bluey hasn't arrived yet, but he'll be here tomorrowwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:54 am
by Leigh
Yes mate, I suppose you could use a disk grinder if you wanted, I'm scared of him turning/sneezing/jumping with no warning and getting punctured on the scissor blades or taking a couple of toes off. Try to sleep well and follow the pictures law when he/she arrives
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:41 am
by Marie
I use a cat nail clippers, when necessary (which is hardly ever).
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:25 am
by mom22wins
I got cat clippers for this occasion but when I went to use them, I realized Sammy's nails and her toes were so tiny they looked exactly the same color! (She's only a little over 2 months old.) So.... Since I didn't want to cut off a toe, I took her out on my patio and gently ran her nails over the concrete. It seemed to help a little.

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 11:33 am
by Jenn
I know with cats human nail clippers can make the nail split and isn't good for them. So I don't use them on my lizards. I would not use scissors. Lizard (or cat clippers because they look the same) are less then $10 so I would invest the money and get a pair of those. I have a few pairs because like my temp gun I tend to misplace them.
nail clipping
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:15 pm
by aggiegirl
I use a pair of small, sharp human nail clippers and have had good luck with these but my blueys are still young and their nails aren't too wide. I may switch to cat/ferret clippers later. Make sure, if using human clippers, that the opening between the blades goes up and down (perpendicular to the bluey's body.) Does this make sense? You do it the same way for cats, ferrets, guinea pigs, and other small critters. Don't hit the quick (be conservative) and do have Qwik Stop or a similar product available---Murphy's Law!
The most important thing is to position your bluey so the nails are easily accessible. If I have someone to help, I like having him lay across their forearm while I clip (although my guy is getting too long for this now!) When I'm on my own, I use bananas to encourage cooperation. I sit on the ground with my bluey across a thigh. Then, I smear banana chunks (his favorite) on the distant part of my thigh (or you could use the ground if you don't trust yours that much.) The bluey gets so excited about the banana that he lets me attack his nails. My blueys are accustomed to eating from my fingers though and I've never been bitten this way. I got my bluey when he was 6 months old and he was my first herp. I was really intimidated by nail trims. With practice, you'll gain confidence. Also, Jenn recommends playing with your baby's feet so that they don't freak when it comes time for clipping. I think that is a great idea!
Good luck. Share anything you learn! k
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:42 pm
by mewzic-7123
well i tryed to use non sharp scissors, but didnt work it was too thick, i WAS able to cut four of his nails, but he kept scwerming so tomorrow im cutting the rest of them outside 'cause he'd let me do just about any thing to him outside, im using human clippers, i cut the tip so that it isnt to sharp, and about the hand feeding thing mine is accustomed to that too, but i some times i get scared of being bitten because he bit me twice so far and it really hurts, but ill try and trust him, he normally doesnt find his food on his own, he follows my hand to the food. thanks for the advise everyone, i might get a cat clipper, but wasnt able to get to the pet shop. oh well
also mine jumps if i cut deeper than the tip of his nail, is this normal?