|
|
|
Llamas require that their nails be
trimmed on a regular basis or they will continue to grow until they curl under,
and the animal is no longer able to walk properly. The llamas feet are
interesting , because they consist of two toenails and a bottom pad like
leather. Internally,
there are three bones or phalanx bones. Externally, the toe nail grows out of
the foot. When you turn the foot over you will see a leather like pad and two
nails.
These nails can easily be trimmed
with a sharp pair of shears For safety sake always cut in the direction away from the foot. The nails are shaped like a V. The bottom of the V will be the pointed tip of the llamas nail. To cut the nail: lay the clipper blade flat on this V cutting from the wide end of the V to the bottom of the V, or the tip of the llamas nail. Sometimes this is difficult to do, and you will have to resort to clipping one side of the V at a time. You will get a better and flatter cutting if you can clip away from the foot ( wide part of the V to the tip). You also will get a better clipping
if you clean the grove of the nail out where it collects dirt. The best time to do toe nail clipping and obtain the best results and also make it more comfortable for your animals is in the early morning when they have walked on the damp ground or after it has rained. This allows the nail to become softer and is so much easier to cut. You will notice sometimes they will lean on you when you try to clip their nails. Basically , they are trying to keep their balance. This is probably the hardest thing for them to learn. The first time you clip a llama’s nails they are afraid, mainly, because it is strange to stand on three legs, and they become frightened. If you communicate with them and explain to them what you are trying to do, a llama will understand. Before you start to lift their leg, stroke their leg to let them get accustomed to the fact that you are going to do something to their feet. You will need to repeat this several times. Then begin just trying to lift the foot up. This will also have to be repeated several times. Don’t be in a hurry. You may have to do this about six times or more. Eventually they will understand that YOU want THEM to LIFT THEIR FOOT. Then once you can hold their foot off the ground, pick up your clippers, and begin clipping. This is another sensation they may have to get used to. If they put their foot down or you can’t hold it long enough to finish clipping, repeat picking the foot up and try again. Usually, your llama understands by now what you want, and you will be able to hold the foot up long enough to finish. While you are clipping always check
the pad of the llama’s foot for any damage or cuts. Keep a bottle of Iodine or
Betadine When you need to do any other care for the llamas and you have them in the chute spend the extra time to check their feet and trim their nails if needed, and you will keep ahead of this . Done on a regular basis, your llamas will get use to you handling their feet and legs, and to them it will become normal.
TO ORDER TOENAIL CLIPPERS PLEASE VISIT LB LLAMA SUPPLIES
|
designed for this purpose. Grasp the llamas foot
just above where the foot bends or ( proximal Phalanx ) with your left hand .
Holding the foot, trim the nail with the clippers in your right hand. Do this procedure in reverse if you are left handed by holding the foot in the right
hand, and trim with the clippers in your left hand.
This can be done
by gently using the pointed tip of your clipper to carefully dig this out. Then
proceed to clip again. I have found it is easier to clip the nail before I try
cleaning the nail out. For some reason, the llamas seem to jump if this is done
first. After you have cleaned the nail out you will be surprised at how high the
nail still can be and that you really need to clip again.
to spray on the pads. If you are in a damp area and they are walking on
a lot of damp ground a good spraying with one of these on their pads will
toughen them up and help prevent them from getting foot rot.