Rear dew claw removal

meandmyself

meandmyself

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 February 2006
Messages
13,405
Visit site
Our next door neighbour has recently bought a collie pup. He still has his rear dew claws. Neighbour asked the vet about removing them. The vet said it was illegal to remove them. I've never heard that before. Any ideas?

(collie is a working dog and will be going in under growth / bushes.)

Thanks
 
The vet needs educating.

It is not illegal to remove them and it should have been done as a whelp but can still be done under anesthetic.
A very simple procedure at 3 days, more difficult as an adult. Leave them for now & get them off if he needs a GA for anything or if he rips one.

This is the second time I've heard this this month -other lot were mini schnauzers with double back dewclaws.
 
I've seen the pup and he's lovely. The dew claws are very loose though and look like they're just waiting to be caught. I'll pass this on. Thanks.
 
It is illegal for a lay person to remove them if the pup is over 4 days old, but definitely not illegal for a vet to carry out a surgical procedure. Think the vet needs to check their facts.
 
Thank you! I'd never heard anything about it being illegal for the vet to remove them. Looking at them, he would be far better off without them because they're just begging to get caught.

Will print this off and pas it on. :)
 
I have a JRT with rear dew claws. My vets said they were against removing them for purely cosmetic reasons especially if the were well attached rather than just flappy and purely attached by skin but would remove if causing any issues. They have never caused a problem (she's 4 and very active) so I have left alone for now
 
Whilst not illegal, some vets refuse to do it for ethical reasons, and they are entitled to not do it. That doesn't mean someone else in the same practice might not do it. Just ask and don't be offended if they say no.
 
What are the possible ethical reasons for refusing to remove rear dew claws on newborn puppies?
Informing the pup's owner that it is illegal so they don't ask further nor find another vet or practice is misconduct.

This happened when docking became Vets only - some vets were telling novice breeders it was illegal & they missed the chance of getting their pups docked. There were a few court cases over it.
 
Is it perhaps a case of mis-information on teh vets case?

When things get changed vis RCVS on legalities, it doesn't necessarily get to the right people in my experience.

Grooming industry is up in arms at the moment because they're finding out that it's not legal for them to do anal glands but the vets don't seem to know about this.
 
My mother-in-law's young rottie X boy has them too. He's not much more than a year old now, and won't be neutered for at least another half year. I want her to get the rear dews removed when he's under GA for that, but her vet (who is German, as she is herself), feels they should never be removed unless they have caused a real problem already.

I would think it better to prevent, before any problem happens with them. They are also fairly loose and floppy to my judgement, but because he is pretty big, they are about 6 inches or a bit more above the ground. I suppose that would make them a bit less likely to catch in things than with a smaller dog.

So would people agree with me, that it is better to get them off at neutering time, or with the vet, that it would be best to leave them unless they have caused a problem before then?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top