Dewclaw removal...

3231 Views 14 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Murreydobe, Jun 20, 2007

rocko solido

Discussion Starter · Jun 19, 2007

Hey there...

Been lurking around the forum for a bit, usually finding answers to questions that would pop up from time to time, and this place has always been helpful. Unfortunately, this one isn't as easy as a simple forum search...

Champ is a 6 1/2 month dobie-shepherd mix, picked him up from the Detroit Animal Control Center after finding his profile on their adoption site. Unfortunately, not many of those animals find a home, and as such, the "alterations" done to them are minimal, ending at spaying and neutering. From everything I've come across, it seems that dewclaw removal should be taken care of when the pup's within their first and second week, and that the procedure can be a big hassle when the dogs get a little older, even after a few months.

The issue is that Champ's dews, or at least one, should probably be removed. While his rear-right stays relatively close to his paw, the rear-left is basically cartilage and a claw that sticks out. Really, what I'm looking to find out is whether or not I should have them removed. Any advice or imput would be appreciated!

See less See more

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

TracyJo

· #2 · Jun 19, 2007

What a cutie!!!
I understand your concern...
I had a corgi-mix that had floppy dew claws on back - they drove me crazy but never bothered him. I always feared they'd get caught on something and tear but they never did.
I did ask the vet about removing them at one time and he reccomended that I just leave them be.

Reactions: 1

Okie-dobie

· #3 · Jun 19, 2007

Welcome to the forum, she is a cutie allright!! Has she been altered?? If not they could be done at that time. Normally, if they are protruding that much it could become an issue in the future. I don't think I would have it done though unless she had to be put under for something else.

rocko solido

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 20, 2007

TracyJo said:
What a cutie!!!
I understand your concern...
I had a corgi-mix that had floppy dew claws on back - they drove me crazy but never bothered him. I always feared they'd get caught on something and tear but they never did.
I did ask the vet about removing them at one time and he reccomended that I just leave them be.

That eases my mind a bit. The vet that recommended I have his dewclaws removed printed me a quote that read "$360-$430," and that the actual price would be determined upon the operation. After talking to some other people, I was told its ridiculous to pay more than $250 tops anywhere, so despite that particular vet coming under strong recommendations from others, I have to wonder how hard up for money they are...

Okie-dobie said:
Welcome to the forum, she is a cutie allright!! Has she been altered?? If not they could be done at that time. Normally, if they are protruding that much it could become an issue in the future. I don't think I would have it done though unless she had to be put under for something else.

Ah, my poor boy...you're going to give him a complex! I mean, he's been neutered and all, but he still retains his sense of masculinity, haha. But yeah, there's no other issues, only thing he'd have to be anesthetized for would be the removal itself. Though I have been wanting to get him microchipped, but that wouldn't require any sedation.

Burns

· #5 · Jun 20, 2007

My sister's Jack Russell didn't have his dewclaws removed when he was a pup, and he kept getting them caught on things and ripped one off one time. They had to have them removed after that. It depends on the dog and their dewclaws on if they will be prone to getting them caught on anything.

You could wait until he needs his teeth cleaned and have it done then. Most pets require a dental cleaning by the time they are 4-5 years old. Dewclaw removal would be easy once he's already sedated for the dentistry.

lanabana

· #6 · Jun 20, 2007

He is so cute. I don't have any knowledge about dew claws, I just had to comment because he is a beautiful boy.

Okie-dobie

· #7 · Jun 20, 2007

Oh I'm sorry!! HE is still a cutie!!

Acooper

· #8 · Jun 20, 2007

Cute boy! Glad to meet ya..............GREAT of you pulling him out of a place like that

We have a border X girl (Phoebe) that has her front dew claws still, she has no back ones. She is going to be 8 in september and has never had an issue. They need to be trimmed a little more often than her feet, obviously, (no wear and tear) I wouldn't say they were "tight" to her leg, but I wouldn't call them "floppy" either.

I am fairly certain that Doberkim's boy Rah (dobe) has his dew claws. Perhaps she will show up with a word or two for you.

hbwright

· #9 · Jun 20, 2007

Both my doberman pup, Jordan and my mutt, Summer have their dew claws. I've never had a problem with either one of them. BUT, even though Cleo didn't have her dew claws she seemed to hurt her front paws all the time just everyday playing. I thought about having Jordan's removed for this reason but the vet explained that some are connected by bone and others aren't and that is what decided how difficult the surgery could be. His are connected by bone so I decided to have them stay and so far they are no problem and he uses them often.

Summer has one that has a very crazy nail that I have to have clipped by someone more tallented then me but again, no other problems.

TracyJo

· #10 · Jun 20, 2007

Acooper said:
I am fairly certain that Doberkim's boy Rah (dobe) has his dew claws. Perhaps she will show up with a word or two for you.

You're right, Rah does have his dew claws - I remember her telling us in one post that he uses them for gripping his bones when he's eating.

doberkim

· #11 · Jun 20, 2007

Yes, rah has his dewclaws, and we so far have no issue with them, i currently have no intention to remove them.

i was tempted when he was neutered to remove them, but he uses them quite a lot and actually keeps them fairly worn down.

ive determined the reason we remove them is that when he gets rewarded in obedience class and jumps at me on a recall, he scratches down the length of my arm with them. dobes are DANGEROUS.

in all the foot trauma we have had (and rah has had a LOT of it, hes psychotic and kills his pads often), weve never had an issue with his dews. hiw are boney and very tight with the foot.

See less See more

DobeMom616

· #12 · Jun 20, 2007

I just wanted to say that Champ is a very cute little guy!

DreamDoby

· #13 · Jun 20, 2007

Asher had his dews removed when he was a puppy. One of his actually grew back wild when he was alittle over a year. I toyed the idea of removing it and talked with my vet about it. I have concluded that I would leave it alone unless it bothers him or effects him in some way. Years later it is still there and still wierd.

Champ is a cutie by the way.

LindaH

· #14 · Jun 20, 2007

I wouldn't remove them unless they caused problems. Most of my dogs have had their dewclaws and I don't remember any problems with them except when I got scratched. Wait, I do remember one broken dewclaw in over forty years of owning dogs.

Murreydobe

· #15 · Jun 20, 2007

I'd never leave rear dewclaws on a dog. They're usually always loose, too much potential for them getting ripped off. While I might wait for an opportunity when the dog was going to be anesthesized for some other reason, it definitely would be something I'd get handled.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.