Nails need trimming, do myself or brace the cold?

[Billdore]

Timnehs nails have gotten to be like razors the last couple of days. Literally cutting my. Should I attempt to bring her to the vets for a health c heck and nail trimming on Monday. Suppose to be about 30 degrees or try and do it myself. I'm super inexperienced and haven't cut her nails yet or seen them cut. Or do I attempt to buy another sand perch and see if she'll wear em down on her own. Or just tough it out till a warmer day comes along? Thanks for the help.

 

[itchyfeet]

How i rank your options....

1.) Tough it out until it's warmer. I'm guessing you're talking degree's F and I live in a C part of the world, but to mention the temp it must be cold. Scratchy nails aren't emergency vet issue take the bird out in the cold issue. But they do need to be done.
2.) Vet does them. Watch and learn.
3.) You have a very very experienced friend and some of that cornstarch or clotting powder. Watch and learn, maybe have a go at one yourself.

It is something you can do with your bird, if they will except it and you are confident you know what you're doing and can handle any complications if you caught a vessel. Good luck!

 

[plumsmum2005]

See if you can work with Timneh to allow you to file those pesky points, I have found a glass nail file works well but keep hold of it tight.

Avoids the risk of cutting too much. Plenty of treats and praise if she will let you. As you are inexperienced, I would file or wait IMO

Have found that concrete perches are good but they do not keep all of Plums nails trim.

 

[Taprock]

I have done my conure's with no problem. My son's grey had two sharp claws so he just took the tip end off and it bleed. We had styptic power so it wasn't a problem but now I only let my son file them. If it's the first time I would say either take him in or be sure to be prepared. We did have lots of past experience with bird nails from getting chickens ready for showing.

 

[Billdore]

Filing sounds like a great idea!! I don't think it would take much to take the razor edge off either. She is getting the better of me in the rough housing right now for sure. Even just stepping up can be painful. On the plus side she hangs onto my shirt really well. SOmetimes Timneh will step down and hang onto my finger with one foot still, wow is that effective now; what a grip.

 

[Billdore]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas

 

[Kentuckienne]

1. Don't use styptic powder, it may be toxic if the bird ingests it.
2. Glass files are great for humans, but a bird might grab it, snap it, and cut something.
3. A fresh coarse emery file works very well, they just don't last long and tend to rip fibers from human nails, but not on talons. And they are dirt cheap.

 

[GaleriaGila]

A long-term plan...
I really recommend getting those nail-trimming perches... they can eliminate nail-trimming, which was always so stressful for me and the Rb. It took a few years, but I eventually established a pattern/rotation that keeps him trimmed. I haven't had to do his nails in 20-plus years. I keep a dowel as the main "highway" down the middle of the cage, but the special cement/trimmer/textured perches are all over.
A few brands... but there are many: Polly's Sand Walk... Pumice Perch... Trimmer Perch...
Be sure to introduce them gradually: they're abrasive to their tender feet at first. I LOVE them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Flboy]

There is a new style sand perch out, that is supposed to be pretty good! It is semi-flat smooth on the top and rough on the sides.

 

[GaleriaGila]

You can get those at wholesalebirdandcage.com They're good!

 

[plumsmum2005]

1. Don't use styptic powder, it may be toxic if the bird ingests it.
2. Glass files are great for humans, but a bird might grab it, snap it, and cut something.
3. A fresh coarse emery file works very well, they just don't last long and tend to rip fibers from human nails, but not on talons. And they are dirt cheap.

1) AV recommends a cold compress, nothing more. We don't go sprinkling flour or whatever on our wounds do we?

2) That is why I said keep tight hold of it!

3) If they grab glass ones they will definitely grab an emery board and rip it in half! Good job they are dirt cheap.

 

[DRB]

Do you have any rough surface flooring in your home? Like ceramic tile, or even nature stone? If so let the bird walk on that a few times a day and see if the nails dull a bit. IF not IMO you should go to the vet. If you have a carrier or travel cage just take her in the car, warm the car up first. I took Perjo on a cold day in Ohio not to long ago to get her nails done. It was a 15 second walk to the car, once in the car it was nice and warm and easy sailing. My ride to the vet is 20 minutes. If you have a long long ride then I would suggest no in the cold just in case you had a freakish accident and got stranded.

 

[Billdore]

unfortunately the weather has gotten worse suppose to snow. The vet is only 20 minutes away from us also. Or I can bring her back to the pet store and if one of the owners is there they can trim her nails. I think she would like to go back and see everyone and show off her new Dad. Hopefully she won't think that shes goign to get left but I think having her House not moved she will be reassured that shes going back home.