Hi all, I need some advice on how to hold a claw so I can file/trim them on Buzby. I want to know as his nails have grown and need to be trimmed to give him a easier grip on perches and also on his one foot, the front shorter nail grows curled upwards and the back one on each claw to the side, and to ensure he don't catch on the toys or something.

 

Last time I had weather to get him to a local vet to get them done, though they are not Avian they due the claws trimming, and plus the last 2 visits, the vets how caught his vein and made him bleed, where they are not handled many budgies. And also I think they cut his claws down too short, so he got no shape to help him grip perches until they grow a little

 

Here in South Wales in the UK, there is no Avian vet near me a great distance and also I can't take him to the local vet at the moment, as the weather here is snow and -4 and -5 temps, so too cold to take him out, so I just to trim them back a bit to make it comfotable for him until maybe I can get him over to the vet or I would rather do them myself then he don't have leave the house, as I won't trim them as close to the vein.

 

Also his claws are a dark colour, so that it something I am afraid off. Any advice is appreciated, as it is not cause I won't pay vet fees, which is not much, just afraid of him getting a cold or ill from the cold/snow. And the vet don't do visits on budgies as it it not worth there while ,as they used to, but charged £70 GBP plus the £5 for the nail trim.

 

Thanks for any advice. Anthony

It's best for you to see it being performed by a good vet before you attempt it yourself (then you can learn for next time). Not only will you have to be careful not to cut the quick (blood supply) in the nail, but you will have to see how to properly restrain your budgie. This is definitely a two-person job and the longer it takes, the more upset your bird is going to become.

 

The quick should be fairly obvious as a pink area in a bird with light-colored nails but in birds with darker nails it's impossible to see. If this is cut, your budgie can bleed profusely, even fatally. Have something available to clot the blood such as styptic powder, cornstarch, or flour. If bleeding continues, get your bird to your vet as soon as possible.

 

taken from www.budgietalk.com under the grooming section

 

With the weather being cold, you can heat up your car first, put your budgie in a traveling cage cover it up on all four sides, put a towel on the cage for him/her to stand on, and a quick run to the car would be okay.

 

I suggest for the first time to let a vet to it if you are unsure, I understand you don't want to transport him but it seems much safer. Have you trimmed nails on other animals before? Such as cats or dogs?

 

With Pretty, my husband holds him and I cut but he is pretty tame and doesn't freak out many budgie DO freak when held on their back. Even when wrapped in a towel.

 

Just my opinion.

Definitely a two man job, used to do it with my landlord assisting but with both of us with our reading glasses on and he's arguing and I'm arguing, I just take them to my avian vet, worth the money to get it expertly done.

Oh my, I got a visual :(Laughing out loud):

Not a PRETTY scene!! I mean he loves all my birds, spoils them rotten and my late dog slept with him in his bed every night but there are some things that are better done by professionals.

I looooove your landlord. He sounds like a sweetie

He was my boyfriend about 27 years ago but we don't click on that level anymore. He is a slob in his suite downstairs but he sure does care about my pets, he adored my dog and even held him when he had to be put down after 15 years (I couldn't even get out of the car) and is always buying all the birds (especially my cockatiel) treats and toys. A better friend I could never ask for but there are some things we have to go our own ways on and toenail clipping is definitely one of those things.

Hi all, I need some advice on how to hold a claw so I can file/trim them on Buzby. I want to know as his nails have grown and need to be trimmed to give him a easier grip on perches and also on his one foot, the front shorter nail grows curled upwards and the back one on each claw to the side, and to ensure he don't catch on the toys or something.

 

Last time I had weather to get him to a local vet to get them done, though they are not Avian they due the claws trimming, and plus the last 2 visits, the vets how caught his vein and made him bleed, where they are not handled many budgies. And also I think they cut his claws down too short, so he got no shape to help him grip perches until they grow a little

 

Here in South Wales in the UK, there is no Avian vet near me a great distance and also I can't take him to the local vet at the moment, as the weather here is snow and -4 and -5 temps, so too cold to take him out, so I just to trim them back a bit to make it comfotable for him until maybe I can get him over to the vet or I would rather do them myself then he don't have leave the house, as I won't trim them as close to the vein.

 

Also his claws are a dark colour, so that it something I am afraid off. Any advice is appreciated, as it is not cause I won't pay vet fees, which is not much, just afraid of him getting a cold or ill from the cold/snow. And the vet don't do visits on budgies as it it not worth there while ,as they used to, but charged £70 GBP plus the £5 for the nail trim.

 

Thanks for any advice. Anthony

 

Is he tame at all? If you are going to do it yourself, the first few times it will probably be a two person job - one to hold the bird and one to clip. I use regular nail clippers on mine. It might be easier to hold your bird in a washcloth, with a corner folded over his head so he doesn't see you. I find it easiest to hold your bird with the thumb and 1st finger on each side of the head, and the rest of the hand lightly cupped around them with your palm at his back. Don't compress the chest as they can suffocate this way since they don't breathe like we do. Then have the second person gently take each toe and just snip off the point of the toenail - not much at all if you can't see the quick. If they are really long, it make take several tries over the space of a week or so to get them short enough if they are very overgrown. Several small trims are safer than one huge clip. If you do cut a nail too close, apply pressure with the washcloth first, then put some flour or styptic powder on the nail to help the blood clot. Don't let him go until you are sure the bleeding has stopped, talk to him and apologize :hap: otherwise if he starts to bleed in the cage you will have to catch him again and repeat the process with pressure and powder, plus blood will stain your wooden perches if it is not cleaned off right away - trust me on that one. Just be real careful, because if you hurt him, the next time you have to catch him to trim the nails, he will be extra squirmy and afraid of being held. Do you have different sized and textured perches in his cage to wear down the nails naturally? I know some bird's nails just grow fast, but my oldest hen is 4 and I have only had to trim her nails maybe three times ever. The rest of my birds are two, and some have never had a nail trim. If you are nervous about it at all, I'd wait until you can get to the vet to have them do it. If you wait, ask them to show you how to do it properly so you are a bit more comfortable. Some people never do it themselves, so do whichever you feel is safest for your bird.

how intersting this should come up because my two need theirs doing. ive had Casper a year and a bit and its the first time they have needed doing, ive only had lucky 6 months though and his also need doing - i blame the aviary he was in before he came to me - didnt have textured perches or anything.

 

all it will need is a couple of millimetres of the tips but i am getting my vet to do it the first time so i can be confident the next time. i have clipped a guinea pigs nails before but one went ever so slightly too short, so best to be safe with my birdies casper also has a missing toenail so thats one less to cut :hap:

A good vet will show you on a nail or two, then watch you whilst you do the rest! Nothing like that personal experience for understanding the procedure and having the confidence yourself the next time. Unless your like me of course, a woose who still takes the bird to the vet :(Laughing out loud):

You know, I still really think it is a 2 person job, my vet can't do it by herself and either I or one of her vet assistants hold the the bird. Unless you can get a friend to help you, for your own peace of mind and less stress for you and the bird (as it struggles about and you get frustrated), I still think a vet or somebody that deals with birds is the way to go. :hap:

I posted this for someone else in another area, but perhaps it can help:D

 

I'm no expert as you can see, but I have a friend who is budgie-educated and he had some great advice when I first got my budgie, Arny.

 

He recommended some sand sheets (for caged budgies) from the pet shop. I've used them for a year now and they've kept my budgie's claws short so that I don't have to trim them.

 

I buy a packet of 6 and cut them into thirds and only use 1 piece, cleaning it up and renewing it every few days. It works a treat! :ygbudgie:

Oh, sorry to say, but personally, I hate those sand sheets. I don't think they should be sold at all. It may keep the nails trim, but how sore would their poor little footsies be having to walk on such a rough surface?

 

But, back to trimming nails. When they are being cut, if you have seen how to do it, and are doing it yourself, it is best done with a very bright light under or behind the feet. That helps to see where the 'quick' ends.

 

 

Feathers.

A show breeder recently gave us a handy hint for immobilising a bird while maintenance things are done just like nail clipping, feet checking etc. He gets cardboard tube like the toilet rolls come on...pops the budgie up one end of it ( good size ) and does whatever he has to at the other end like nail clipping. Quick, no struggle for the bird or owner, and back into the cage or flight in a flash. Of course this would apply if you are both comfortable and experienced to cut your own birds nails.

In that position the bird automatically points it's toes downwards too.... I like that tip.

 

 

Feathers.

Oh, sorry to say, but personally, I hate those sand sheets. I don't think they should be sold at all. It may keep the nails trim, but how sore would their poor little footsies be having to walk on such a rough surface?

 

Well, I've had no trouble at all with my budgie's feet. He's not on it all day and as I said the small amount of time he is on the sheet seems to do the trick. I certainly wouldn't use them if I thought he was suffering in any way.

 

The suggestion was actually made to me by someone who bred budgies, too.

Edited July 1, 200718 yr by Elly