Llama Toenail Care and Trimming
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Toenail trimming
Each llama's toenails grows at a different, genetically-determined pace. Llamas' toenails should be trimmed on an individual schedule. Many require trimming 3-6 times per year; some never need trimming; a number need trimming every month or so. In addition to variable nail growth and individual wear, the weather conditions will make a difference in your llama's toenail trimming needs. Llamas can get by with less trimming if the ground is soft (their nails will sink in, and will also be softer and more likely to wear down); they need trimming more often when the ground is hard and the weather is dry. Nearly all llamas' toenails will need trimming when the ground becomes hard after spring rains and snowmelt are gone.
Regular toenail trimming is a simple task when you start with a llama that is cooperative about foot handling and has properly-trimmed nails. Reclaiming (or minimizing problems from) neglected, twisted, overgrown toenails is a job for a professional. Likewise, trimming a recalcitrant or frightened llama is also a job for a professional -- or two!
Like shearing, correct toenail trimming can be a fairly detailed proposition, and a full treatise would overload our alloted website space. We recommend that you find a compentent llama toenail trimmer in your area and arrange for a one-on-one lesson. Please understand that your veterinarian is not versed in llama toenail trimming, and a farrier won't know the first thing about llama toenails, either.
Most llama owners use and recommend tools similar to rose pruners for trimming toenails because it is simple to figure out -- it works like a pair of scissors. They also tend to draw a lot of blood when trimming nails. With all our experience, we can only manage to duplicate their blood-letting, and we've realized that the problem is not the technique, but the tool itself -- the blades are not placed fully on the nail before cutting, and even a minor jerk on the llama's part (fairly common, even among the well-trained) results in the tool cutting something that wasn't intended.
Although the learning curve is steeper for learning to handle them, the safest and best tool for toenail trimming is a high-quality pair of 10" horse hoof nippers. They are less likely to cut you or the llama, even if the llama becomes unexpectedly fractious.
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