Dewclaws ?

SCWT · 12-07-2006, 09:35 AM

OK, so I just noticed that Chuy has one dewclaw on his front leg, and not on the other. Not sure how I never noticed this until now.

Should I get this removed, or leave it alone now ? He is getting neutered in about 4-5 weeks so should I do it then ?

Thanks

cshellenberger · 12-07-2006, 01:32 PM

Leave it alone, unless he is working in heavy brush, it won't hurt him. Just make sure you keeep the claw trimmed.

animalcraker · 12-07-2006, 01:42 PM

Is it the actual dewclaw like it would be normally or is it like part of the dewclaw that wasn't fully removed. My Cavalier has the later where the vet didn't completely remove the enitre joint of the dewclaw. It's hardly noticeable and it doesn't grow and my pup was never neutered since I show him, so I just left it alone. I had the vet take a look at it when he was a pup and she said it could be easily removed if it really buged me, but it would just be for astetics.

If Chuy's is a complete dewclaw that does grow then you'll have to remember to keep it trimmed so it doesn't grow into his paw. If it's a hanging dewclaw then it should be no problem to remove, but if it's an attached dewclaw then it can be painful for him to remove. You should consult your cost and if itvet on what they think. They may no have much experience with removing dewclaws on older pets so it may be a more difficult ordeal. You should also find out cost and decided if it's really worth it to remove.

SCWT · 12-07-2006, 01:57 PM

Thanks, it sounds like it is just best left alone then. I will ask my vet her opinion as well though when we go in to get his blood work done.

drfong · 12-07-2006, 06:29 PM

I would have it removed while the dog is under anesthia anyway. If you do it then, it will heal up by the same time his neutering does. I had Brady's done with his nueter. The breed standard says that they should be removed, so we had it done. The vet also suggested that if it had to be done later because it is an emergancy it would be more painful for the dog and more expensive.

blackgavotte · 12-07-2006, 08:04 PM

I would be asking the advice of your vet about removing it, since now that he is older and ready for neutering, that leg bone is more developed. Some dogs who have these dews removed later, become chronic chewers on that section of the leg, because they are sore where the surgery is done.

Many many dogs have front dew claws, they seldom cause problems, especially in his breed because the hair can actualy act as a protector. Be sure that whoever grooms him always does that dew claw while doing the rest of the nails. Any groomer worth her salt will check for dews anyway but it doesn't hurt to mention it each time.

drfong · 12-07-2006, 09:20 PM

BG is right that it is not necesary to have it removed.. Brady was about 10 months old when we did his. I ad actually seen his catch on things before so we felt it was worth it. Even though he was grown when it was done, they have healed very nicely and you would never even know it was not done as a new pup. Why the breeder did not do it when they docked the tail I have no idea. It may have been sugested by the vet to get it done because he is a terrier and prone to digging, crawling in things etc. I just thought it was cheep insurance to get it done at the same time rather than to risk an emergancy vist if he ripped it on something. It was a very ugly scar while it was stiched up and looked much worse than the nueter scar, but as soon as the stiches were out it healed right up and the hair grew back. I'm also alittle wierd about things being the same, so if one leg didn't have on and the other did, it would drive me crazy. That's just me.

blackgavotte · 12-07-2006, 09:38 PM

Drfong makes a good point which I had not thought of. Terriers. Yes. Digging. Yes. Hmmmm. Have to rethink now.