General Care Discussion :: Weird claws

[Ashley]

Bowser has two of her claws on her right hand(?) that stick out the wrong way.
She was like this when we got her over two months ago, and doesn't seem to be in any pain at all.

I'm just wondering if it's common.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

I've never seen that before. At first I thought another turtle bit them off but they are actually upside down.

[Ashley]

Yep, those two claws curve outward and are shorter than the others. And it's only on that one hand.
I sometimes worry when she rubs at her face with the back of her hand that she's going to poke an eye out or get a cut.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Maybe thats just the way she was born. If it doesn't bother her when she walks on them it shouldn't be a problem.

[Ashley]

It's just another thing that makes her special then.

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Yup!

[Ashley]

So I've noticed lately that when she gets excited about seeing one of us and flails her little arms around real fast to beg for food, that she DOES poke her eye with the claws that are turned the wrong way.
It doesn't stop her, but she does blink real fast or even squint a bit when it happens.
And she is at risk of doing that every time somebody walks in the room since she LOVES to beg.

Knock on wood, her eyes look beautiful...bright green, no redness, clear as can be.

Worried turtle mama...

[marisa]

I hesitate to say this, but if you're really concerned, perhaps a vet could round the points a bit to make them less sharp. Normally there's a vein in the nail that can be seen, but if it's accidently clipped, there can be a fair amount of blood. (Which is why I suggested a vet.)

[Moose]

gettin them rounded off and going to the vet is DEFINETLY your best bet! I agree with Marisa!

@Marisa, I didnt know that they have a vein in their claws!

[marisa]

They do---you can see it more easily if your turtle's nails are really yellow. The vein is the dark line that extends down the inside of the nail, it doesn't go all the way to the tip, but if you try to clip the claws (not a good thing to do) and hit the vein, it will bleed. I used to be able to see the veins in my RES's claws when he was younger, but the claws have darkened so I can't really see the veins anymore.

[my.lovely.turtle.]

I definitely learn something new everyday here! Thanks Marisa

[TartarugaVerde]

me too, learning a lot...

your turtle is special =)

[meltedspork]

All animals that are kept as pets (well, except those that don't have claws/nails obviously) have veins running through their claws/nails... it's commonly called the "quick". Dogs, cats, birds, small mammals like guinea pigs and hamsters, and turtles are just some examples. Most small animals don't need their nails/claws trimmed so most people don't think about it, but really it's the same as trimming a dog's nails.