Dew claws

I had a rather badly put together little JRT with very exaggerated Queen Anne legs and the dewclaws one his front legs stuck straight out like an eagle's talon.

Unfortunately he damaged them very badly several times in his first eighteen months including one of them being ripped off twice, it kept growing back. It was our vet's suggestion that they be removed completely which we agreed to. It was very successful and he never had a days lameness in all of his 14 very active, chief yard ratte, years.

Obviously it is not something I would have agreed to lightly but for Humphrey it was essential as I am sure it must be with some other dogs.
 
It was ok, ish!
He was a squirmy wriggly uncooperative small dog and we did muzzle just incase. I was really pleased he didn’t get snappy or growly though.
It’s not damaged beyond being ok to leave but for the fact as everyone said once it’s done it going to keep happening so leaving it wouldn’t work. It’s been clipped as short as possible and bandaged in the hope it will be ok without further intervention but he won’t be able to constantly lick it or re-damage it.
If that doesn’t work he will have to have it removed, but not amputated, I said that wasn’t an option.
Whilst we were there he also had his butt hole squeezed… just to add to insult!
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I think we all understand the distinction between therapeutic and non-therapeutic amputation.

The dew claw is a digit, with bone, ligaments and nerve. I wonder if it’s similar to tail amputation, which can cause nerve damage, chronic pain and heightened pain sensitivity.

While there will be cases where therapeutic amputation is necessary, I can’t understand why people look for puppies who have had their tails cut off and dew claws removed on the off chance they could get injured.

Isn’t it more important to look for breeders who carry out pre breeding health screening for health conditions that a breed is predisposed to rather than cut off tails and toes unnecessarily?

And surely it’s not a good idea to remove dew claws and cause instability of a limb in a breed predisposed to elbow dysplasia.

Off on a bit of a tangent I know, forgive me :)
 
I suppose its ignorance. I remember being told by my dad when i was a kid and asked why my grandads dogs had no tails that it was done to be kind in working dogs because they could tear their tails off.... therefore for a long time i thought that docking was a good thing. People have asked why Cecil being a terrier isn't docked, even these days and in a very obviously pet dog.
Dew claws, until your article i thought pretty unnecessary, a remnant of something that used to be important years ago maybe, *question, when amputated do they take the pad as well?
Bit like castrating in a way, same kind of thing. At one time all dogs had balls off at a certain age, i was also guilty of that to an extent, although with Cec I'm kind of glad I have it as an excuse because so many people have asked to use him as a stud and the answer would have always been no but at least this way its a final and definite no and I don't have to come up with excuses.
 

Might something like this be better than bandages? The bandage keeps sliding down making him unable to walk properly. Its bunching over his paw a bit. He's now lost it all together out walking but i have more so can redo, not a problem really.
Going forward though, he does have iffy nails and although hopefully this wont be a thing, it may happen again so this kind of thing might be good to have on the shelf waiting. or any other suggestions of something more secure?
 
poiuytrewq said:
Might something like this be better than bandages? The bandage keeps sliding down making him unable to walk properly. Its bunching over his paw a bit. He's now lost it all together out walking but i have more so can redo, not a problem really.
Going forward though, he does have iffy nails and although hopefully this wont be a thing, it may happen again so this kind of thing might be good to have on the shelf waiting. or any other suggestions of something more secure?
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He is such a little dot you might have trouble finding something to fit.

Have a look at carpal wraps, some of those look as if they cover dew claws.

Country Mun sell dew claw protectors.

poiuytrewq said:
*question, when amputated do they take the pad as well?
Click to expand...

One of my lurchers had had her dew claws removed, everything gone. I could see where they should have been.
 
poiuytrewq said:
It was ok, ish!
He was a squirmy wriggly uncooperative small dog and we did muzzle just incase. I was really pleased he didn’t get snappy or growly though.
It’s not damaged beyond being ok to leave but for the fact as everyone said once it’s done it going to keep happening so leaving it wouldn’t work. It’s been clipped as short as possible and bandaged in the hope it will be ok without further intervention but he won’t be able to constantly lick it or re-damage it.
If that doesn’t work he will have to have it removed, but not amputated, I said that wasn’t an option.
Whilst we were there he also had his butt hole squeezed… just to add to insult!
View attachment 141492
Click to expand...

Aw bless him. But the Vetwrap DOES fit ;)
 
poiuytrewq said:

Might something like this be better than bandages? The bandage keeps sliding down making him unable to walk properly. Its bunching over his paw a bit. He's now lost it all together out walking but i have more so can redo, not a problem really.
Going forward though, he does have iffy nails and although hopefully this wont be a thing, it may happen again so this kind of thing might be good to have on the shelf waiting. or any other suggestions of something more secure?
Click to expand...

Tape the Vetwrap on walks etc.
 
It does fit yes! Tapes a better idea, I wonder if it would be seriously uncomfortable to tape slightly to his leg to hold it in place, maybe with some elastoplast type stuff.
It's currently off but he's sleeping, I'm working so nothings going to happen now!
 
skinnydipper said:
He is such a little dot you might have trouble finding something to fit.

Have a look at carpal wraps, some of those look as if they cover dew claws.

Country Mun sell dew claw protectors.



One of my lurchers had had her dew claws removed, everything gone. I could see where they should have been.
Click to expand...
I did look at Country Mun and Carpel wraps but i think as you say they are all going to be too big anyway.
 
poiuytrewq said:
It does fit yes! Tapes a better idea, I wonder if it would be seriously uncomfortable to tape slightly to his leg to hold it in place, maybe with some elastoplast type stuff.
It's currently off but he's sleeping, I'm working so nothings going to happen now!
Click to expand...

Medical tape is OK in the house but if you are going out for a walk, it will just fall off, you will need strong silver tape/gaffer/Gorilla tape to cope with the activity/moisture and just cut the whole lot off and either let it breathe when you come in or re-apply with the medical tape again. You will go through a lot of wrap and tape before it is rested/healed ;)
 
While he is in the house, could you slip a baby sock on his paw to stop him licking? Cut open the toe of the sock if necessary and tie a bit of stretchy bandage round the top to stop it slipping off.
 
I'll experiment!

Have lots of vetrap, loads of different tapes and probably old baby socks somewhere!

The vet gave me two dog sized vetraps, i should get some more really as horse stuff would literally be like a full leg plaster cast on him! I'm away this weekend which is annoying and bad timing as i doubt he will let anyone else do it but my parents are on walking duty and he always stays on a lead with them anyway so can't come to too much damage. They have strict instructions little dogs do not go off lead, labradors can run free! (only round the farm fields not roads!)
 
Love a bit of electrical tape! I have rolls of cloth tape (Asda) which doesn't detach, as CC say, take it with you, I have smaller scissors and a capacious bumbag! Currently (touch wood!) we have no need.

Re vet wrap, I just unroll a bit, chop in half length ways and then double up with the other bit.
 
Cinnamontoast said:
Love a bit of electrical tape! I have rolls of cloth tape (Asda) which doesn't detach, as CC say, take it with you, I have smaller scissors and a capacious bumbag! Currently (touch wood!) we have no need.
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Do your dogs still have their dew claws? I thought they had been removed.
 
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Bandage came off, I took him on a long walk yesterday without really thinking but kept on a lead for most of it.
Quick run around off lead on the way home and the claw is gone, no blood or fuss, I only noticed today.
I think it had to come off really and it’s probably for the best. He seems much happier now and hasn’t licked it since- I’ve not re bandaged
It looks clean and hopefully now it will just grow back normally, I think it was at too wonky an angle to come right before.
 
I’m fact he just came to sleep on my lap while I have a quick drink so took the opportunity for a good look. He has the point of a new claw growing already, must have been developing under the old one and maybe pushed of off when it was ready
 
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