Frankenstein puppy?

[jacks_mum]

Ok, Dandy is my first puppy so I need to know if this odd or not.

Half way up ONE of his back legs he has an extra toe!

I've only noticed it now he is bigger than a guinea pig and there definitely isn't one on his other back leg. If he were a horse it is on the bottom of his cannon bone.

 

[ihatework]

is it a dew claw?

 

[jacks_mum]

i don't know, i'ts just on one leg, don't dew claws 'happen' on all legs?

sorry about this, I know i'm totally ignorant and I apologise

 

[tiggie]

I thought dew claws were just on the front legs ?

 

[polaris]

on back as well!

 

[k9h]

Never know due claws on the back legs.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Sounds like a dew claw to me. They are not common on back legs but do occur. I have bred GSDs for over 25 years (yikes), Its a strange thing but in the early years it was quite common for pups to have hind dew claws, but over the last few years never saw one. In new born pups they can be removed at a couple of days old, but obviously in an older pup it is bigger procedure. It depends on the dogs planned lifestyle whether to leave them or not. I have seen them ripped off in an adult dog and it is quite nasty. Hope that helps. I have to say it is quite unusual to have only one.

 

[jacks_mum]

ouch!! Ripped off!! That sounds awful. I will have to ask he vet for advice. Planned life style is as my companion on and off the horse.

Thanks for reassuring me that I don't have a freaky puppy with an extra toe everyone

 

[k9h]

Do any of these bare any resemblance??
http://perso.orange.fr/corine.lundqvist/polydogs.html

 

[jacks_mum]

it is like one of those but is further up his leg

 

[k9h]

Is it like the picure of the B? sheep dog attacking hte mans arm?? Or higher up than that?

 

[jacks_mum]

its like onthe lundhund but on the back leg and higher uo - above the fetlock!!

 

[k9h]

I would presume its just a dew claw then. Prob a throw back in it's breeding from somewhere. I had a pup with a whole back toe missing on a foot next one in from the outside. Turned out fine!

 

[jacks_mum]

I have been reassured it is a dew claw. thanks for everyones help - and so sorry for my ignorance. we all have to learn somewhere and I can't think of a better place to do it than here on HHO

 

[SPARK]

My JR Lily has one on one of her back legs and the vet said that if it is well attached then not to worry about it.

 

[amage]

we have a pup in our yard who has an extra toe on each leg where you describe. she also has two rows of bottom teeth!!!