BasicGreatGuy
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how much is nominal to you?
To me, $40.00 - $50.00 to sedate a dog to be able to properly trim the nails is a nominal fee. That is with an injection, whether IM, SQ, or IV. If you go that route, the nails can be trimmed very short the first time, and then it is concrete walks etc to help keep the nails trimmed back naturally.
If she talks with her vet, they might give her Acepromazine tablets. Taking 1 or 1.5 tablets of that would not completely sedate the dog, but it would take the edge off enough to allow for a nail trim, in my opinion. With tablets, the charge can be as little as $12.00. She could put the tablet(s) in a small ball of cheese or peanut butter 1 hr before going to the vet. Once at the vet, they should be able to safely trim the nails without trauma to the dog or the people trying to trim the nails.
Each practice has different prices and requirements for sedation. If the dog is healthy, it shouldn't be an issue.