On trick my boyfriend's mother used to trim her ferret's nails was holding
(or resting them in her lap) them on their backs and putting a little
Ferretvite on their tummies.  This keeps them relatively still and
occupied while they are getting their nails done.
 
His mom is a lady in her 70s with Parkinson's (under control) and she was
able to do it.
 
Stacey
[Posted in FML issue 3430]