The Wash Table
All lessons
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Nails · Lesson 5
How do you trim a dark nail safely?
Trim a dark nail in tiny slices and read the cut surface, stopping at the first grey, moist centre that signals the quick.
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Nails · Lesson 6
How much should you take off at each session?
Take off only the clear tip in small slices each session, and let the quick recede gradually over regular trims.
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Nails · Lesson 7
What do you do if you cut the quick?
Stay calm, apply styptic powder with gentle pressure, and seek veterinary advice if bleeding will not stop.
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Nails · Lesson 8
How do you use a nail grinder without overheating the nail?
Use a grinder in short bursts with light pressure, checking the nail and the surface often, so heat never builds up.
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Nails · Lesson 9
How often should nails be trimmed?
Check nails weekly and trim lightly when they touch the ground, keeping the quick short through regular small trims.
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Nails · Lesson 10
How do you trim nails on a dog that pulls its paw away?
Use short, calm sessions, gentle handling and gradual desensitisation, and stop if pulling becomes distress.
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Nails · Lesson 11
What do cracked, split or overgrown nails need?
Cracked, split or overgrown nails need assessment, gentle handling and gradual trimming, not a large home cut.
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Nails · Lesson 12
When is a nail problem a vet problem?
A nail problem is a vet problem when there is bleeding that will not stop, breakage, infection, pain or a change in gait.
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Ears · Lesson 1
What does healthy ear care at home involve?
Healthy ear care at home means regular checks, gentle cleaning of the outer ear only, and prompt referral for any warning signs.
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Ears · Lesson 2
How do you check ears before cleaning them?
Check both ears in good light before cleaning, looking and smelling for warning signs that mean cleaning should wait for a vet.
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Ears · Lesson 3
How do you clean the outer ear safely?
Clean only the visible outer ear with cotton wool or gauze and a suitable cleaner, never inserting anything into the canal.
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Ears · Lesson 4
What should never go deep into the ear canal?
Nothing should go deep into the ear canal at home, including cotton buds, fingers, tweezers and liquids poured into the canal.
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Ears · Lesson 5
How do you clean ears on a floppy-eared dog?
Lift floppy ears gently for air, checking and drying, and clean only the visible outer ear, watching for moisture and warmth.
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Ears · Lesson 6
How do you clean ears on a hairy-eared dog at an introductory level?
Brush and check hair around hairy ears, clean only the visible outer ear, and leave canal hair to a vet or groomer.
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Ears · Lesson 7
How often should ears be checked and cleaned?
Check ears weekly, clean only when the outer ear is dirty, and check again after bathing, swimming or any warning sign.
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Ears · Lesson 8
What do smell, discharge and redness mean for referral?
Smell, discharge and redness are warning signs that need veterinary assessment, not home cleaning or home treatment.
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Ears · Lesson 9
How do you dry ears after bathing or swimming?
Dry the outer ear and under the flap gently with a towel after water, and check the ear once it is dry.
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Ears · Lesson 10
What should you do if a dog shakes its head constantly?
Constant head shaking needs prompt veterinary assessment, not home cleaning, and the ear should be left alone meanwhile.
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Ears · Lesson 11
How do you keep ear cleaning calm and brief?
Keep ear cleaning calm and brief with gentle handling, a set routine, praise for settling, and a stop at the first sign of distress.
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Ears · Lesson 12
When is ear care a vet job, not a home job?
Ear care is a vet job when there are warning signs, a history of ear disease, injury, or any need for canal examination or treatment.