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Claw trimming question

post #1 of 6
4/9/10 at 1:03pm
Thread Starter 
Just a quick questions about Cotton's claws.

He has one that we were sure was actually missing when we got him - it was broken off so far back into his foot. Over the last few months I've noticed this claw is actually starting to grow out again, but it's shaped really strange. It doesn't taper properly like a claw (the end is actually the broken end we'd always seen) and I can't see the quick in it, but otherwise it's the same colour and texture as the rest of his claws...and will need a trim soon.

Do you think there is any reason I should be worried about this claw, or will it eventually grow back into its normal shape?
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post #2 of 6
4/9/10 at 1:08pm
I would suggest at least talking with a vet on this one... vet may want to see Cotton, if so at my vets this would either be free or a mini exam which would be 20 ish$
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post #3 of 6
4/9/10 at 1:48pm
If it's not growing correctly having a vet check it is for the best. But if you would like to take a look at the quick yourself tonight to see how it looks inside the claw, get a small penlight and shine it through the claw. I hope the the quick didn't get so messed up that it's not growing out like a normal quick does - I'm worried about one of mine having her quicks either grow back out wide and long or for the claws to not be curling appropriately.
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post #4 of 6
4/9/10 at 3:13pm
Cat's claws don't grow like our fingernails, exactly. They grow from the inside, and get sharper by shedding the outer layer. If a claw is cut off really short, it will likely look pretty odd until it has grown out completely. But a check with the vet to be sure there isn't some other problem might not be a bad idea.

I've seen cats completely pull a claw out, and it almost always grows back in normally. But I've seen a few misshapen ones, too.
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post #5 of 6
4/17/10 at 10:34am
Thread Starter 
Thanks to everyone for the replies. Just a quick update to this.

We stopped by the vet to have a look at Cotton's claw and he wasn't worried at all. He trimmed it for us and said it should take on it's proper shape as Cotton starts using it again. He said to keep an eye on it and bring him back in if it doesn't start to look a bit more normal, but when I checked his claws this morning, it's looking much more like a claw.

So, nothing major to report, just me being a worrier again
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post #6 of 6
4/17/10 at 1:12pm
Better safe than sorry. Had you ignored it and there was a problem it could be very painful for Cotton.
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