Nails

I am having a bit of a dilemma.

I have taken Mr Prickles twice to the vets to have his nails trimmed. Both times it has been impossible, ending up with me being bitten and spiked very badly. The vet decided it was too stressful for Mr Prickles and said next time he would need to be sedated but there would be risks attached.

My dilemma is, I am not sure if his nails are long enough to warrant this sedation. I think they are, and need dealing with, but I would like some other opinions. I have attached photos - they are the best I can get, as Mr Prickles isn't very often out of a ball. I hope they are clear enough for you to help me decide.

Thanks for any advice!

Is Mr Prickles a bit of a huffy fella then?

Dexter hates it but i just have to be firm and do it.... :(

Sedation just seems so drastic....i dont think they are long enough for it. But others may be of a different opinion...

a bit huffy? you have no idea!!!!! He is a nightmare - I think he hates the world!

I am only concerned about his back foot, as it doesn't quite sit flat like the others

Yeah, i guessed he was a rescue so went and had a look. Poor sod hasnt had a great start :(

Its so funny you need pincers!!! tee hee

Have you tried the grill technique? I can't think what they are called but you put cakes on them to cool. Put Prickles on there and his feet will fall through the gaps, then you just have to avoid his teeth.

can you just quickly grab his foot and trim one at a time so he doesnt panic too much, when hes walking over you quickly grab his foot and trim before he has time to wriggle

hmmmm well I never let mine get any longer than that really but given hes going to need sedation maybe its an idea to leave them a tiny bit longer but if your saying his foot isnt sitting flat then maybe it is time to take him? eek - its a bit of a difficult one isnt it - I dont like the dangling the legs through the qrill thing - to me it sounds like it could cause a lot more problems than what its worth risking because a very huffy hog will very very determined in balling tightly - the only things I can suggest is either wearing gloves and get him to walk over your hand and then trap a foot between your fingers if you can or again as he walking over your hand to try and hold him belly to palm aqnd a hand over his back whilst someone else grabs a foot and then he wont be able to ball and your hand will be in the way yet protected by the gloves in case he tries to bite or prickle you - will need to have some degree of firmness onyl you know how far you could do this or he goes to the vet and gets sedated but I dont imagine they will knock him fully out or if they are planning to ask them to maybe give him a sniff of gas so hes calmed rather than sedated and then do it which would be less riskier than full sedation but obviously still carries some risk

not an easy one to overcome - I always managed to do my huffy ones in water and it was a struggle but between hubby and I we did managed it - sometimes you have to do a foot at a time rather than getting them all done in one go