Kevin Richardson LionWhisperer さんのインスタグラム写真 - (Kevin Richardson LionWhisperer Instagram)「A couple of weeks ago we had to call Dr Caldwell to come deal with an ingrown claw on Ginny and to give Meg her annual manicure. Lots of questions came in as to why this is happening & why some lions are needing nail trims. I do think it was nicely explained in the video on #lionwhisperertv on YouTube ( link in my bio) however let me try and explain again. In the video you’ll notice Bobcat’s dew claw is nicely sheathed and when I apply pressure it pops out and then retracts back. That’s because his ligaments and tendons are still working as they should. He’s coming on 15 but still has good elasticity. Now in Meg’s case she’s lost the elasticity on her distal phalanx ligaments and her digital flexor tendon is taking up the slack from the slackened ligament. This also seems to coincide with a massive thickening of the keratin (nail) on these particular claws. If left the claw simply gets thicker and thicker and grows into the paw pad as was the case with Ginny. This requires veterinary intervention and the claws need to be trimmed down. I noticed Ginny limping every so slightly and so decided to have a look see. The third picture is what I saw. I sent that picture to Peter who made arrangements to come out and treat. It mostly happens in older lions who are less flexible and whose gait has changed as a result of old age. Older cats also are less active and exercise their claws on trees and food less. Having said that I don’t know a more active cat in the sanctuary than Meg at 20. There seems to be a genetic predisposition to this happening and it doesn’t affect all the claws, just some. It also doesn’t happen to all the older lions. So part of the daily checks of the sanctuary inhabitants is to make sure they’re all walking ok. Nothing is straight forward looking after lions in captivity properly. #catmanicure #lionmanicure #nailclipping #ingrownnail #lionesses #lions #bigcatwelfare #welfare #mindfullymade」6月6日 22時11分