Nail Clipping-sedation?

by Sadaya
(Kilauea Hawaii USA)

The vet across the street from me who owns birds but primarily deals with large animals such as horses or dogs. He recommends he sedate my pionus to clip his nails. He maintains that it hurt him to clip them short ( it has been about a year since they were last clipped). He said he has only lost 2 birds in 30 years but I still am concerned about giving my healthy bird a drug for this reason. Will it damage his liver? Is it dangerous? If his quick is to close to the end of the nail could I just trim a small amount and have the quick recede over time instead. I am able to towel my bird but he certainly doesnt like it. Currently I trim his feathers while he showers so as not to upset him by toweling him? He has not foot damage or apparent difficulty walking with his current long nails they are just scratching my arm when I hold him.