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Dew Claws

TC

TC

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Hi,

I have always been a fan of removing dewclaws on day three, but the breeder of Ollie obviously didn't take this route.

Since meeting a few whippety people, quite a lot have commented on him being intact. I would like to try him at coursing once he is old enough and know that I could tape him, but would you advise for or against having them removed?

From past experience I remember it as quite a painful recovery for the dogs (we often got requests to remove them whilst castrating / speying etc) and I have only ever assisted in an op to remove because the claw had been caught and torn once (quite frustrating really as it is such a small thing to do when they are three days, and they really don't complain) I must admit though, we did not seem to have lots of running dogs at the practices that I worked at so I am not sure if this is a true picture?

I would appreciate any knowledge / statistics that you can pass on, although I do not intend having either Ollie or Jake castrated at this stage (unless we have any problems) so it would have to be an operation in it's own right, and I am not sure whether I am putting him through uneccessary suffering?

Ollies dew claws are not really floppy as some I have seen, but tucked in quite tight.

Thanks as always

Tracy
 
Sienna had a dew claw which had grown back removed at around 7 months, all went well and trouble free,( I was a wreck though at the thought of an op :b ) the only reason I had ot done was because it was growing abnormaly, so i don't know if I would have made the same decision otherwise, Callie also had one grow back and I decided to leave it for a whille as it wasn't bothering her, then one day she caught it and it came off (w00t) she didn't seem to notice although I have heard that this can be very bad so I think eventually I would have had it removed but when she was older or having something else done :thumbsup:
 
Millie's Lucy still has her dewclaws and lure courses OK.

My Ronan had a stump re-grow sufficiently that I had to cut it along with his other nails and when he went in for something else I got my Vet to remove it at the same time but I would not have had it done just for the sake of because he didn't have a problem with it. However, having had it done the wound healed as quickly as any other operation site.

I would, however, have baby puppies done at 3 days.

Here's another twist though, Django's breeders in Belgium apparently remove their puppies dewclaws when they are born. I have to say that I personally shudder at that thought, don't know why as I suppose it is no worse than at 3 days!!
 
:D Pic of Lucy with her Dew claws.............
 
As she didn't really want to pose for that pic here's one looking happier LOL :lol:
 
:D And a pic of her Lure coursing, I don't bandage her. :thumbsup:
 
I have never been lure coursing (well actually I have, but WE call it racing!) :D

The reason why racers like to have them taken off is that they can catch a dew claw in the muzzle and rip it off. I have always done my litters at day three and although I have had an occasional one partly grow back as a little stump mainly it has been successful. Undoubtedly though, removal when the dog is older IS more traumatic for both the dog and owner lol

If he was mine, at this stage I'd tape rather than mutilate - and it's cheaper too!

And if lure coursers don't muzzle their dogs then don't even bother with that :)
 
Do you use metal or plastic muzzles Ian? Only ask because Lucy is always muzzled when out on normal exercise............... (due to the fact she has a hatred of cats (w00t) stupid ones round here have a death wish :eek: :lol: ) She wears a plastic one and has never done any damage to her dew claws this way neither !
 
My Fern snapped a dew claw in half the first time that she went lure coursing. She's been since and hasn't had a problem.

Tally deerhound has his dew claws and never seem to have much of a problem with them. He's certainly never injured his whilst lure coursing. :- " :b

Most people don't have their dogs muzzled when lure coursing Ian.
 
IanGerman said:
I have never been lure coursing (well actually I have, but WE call it racing!)  :D

Click to expand...
Whose WE???!!! LOL!! Lure coursing and racing are totally different activities!!

BeeJay said:
Most people don't have their dogs muzzled when lure coursing Ian.
Click to expand...
No, it's purely optional and only some of those who race regularly muzzle their dogs as a matter of course because they are used to it, I think.

And then, of course, there are those Whippets who NEED muzzling, like my Angel :wub: who gets mad if she loses the lure :- " and proceeds to pull the pulleys up!!! (w00t) that does not go down too well!!! :b :blink:

I only did this reply to see if I could get the multiple quote thingys right!!!!
 
This is definitely putting my mind at rest that I won't put Ollie through and op "on the off chance" It wasn't just the op and recovery, but I really don't like the thought of a GA without good reason.

I thought that I might get loads of posts with horror stories that would want me to go through with it, but this has been quite positive stuff. I'll just try him, and if he catches one then we'll have to rethink.

Thanks everyone

p.s. Millie, Lucy looks fantastic on the move
 
Tracy Chamberlain said:
This is definitely putting my mind at rest that I won't put Ollie through and op "on the off chance" It wasn't just the op and recovery, but I really don't like the thought of a GA without good reason.
I thought that I might get loads of posts with horror stories that would want me to go through with it, but this has been quite positive stuff. I'll just try him, and if he catches one then we'll have to rethink.

Thanks everyone

p.s. Millie, Lucy looks fantastic on the move

Click to expand...
I have a pic if you want to how it is after op, stitches and all (w00t) it wasn't too bad and she healed very quickly, just in case you need to go that route :thumbsup:

Lovely pics BTW :wub: :wub:
 
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*Lesley* said:
Tracy Chamberlain said:
This is definitely putting my mind at rest that I won't put Ollie through and op "on the off chance" It wasn't just the op and recovery, but I really don't like the thought of a GA without good reason.
I thought that I might get loads of posts with horror stories that would want me to go through with it, but this has been quite positive stuff. I'll just try him, and if he catches one then we'll have to rethink.

Thanks everyone

p.s. Millie, Lucy looks fantastic on the move

Click to expand...
I have a pic if you want to how it is after op, stitches and all (w00t) it wasn't too bad and she healed very quickly, just in case you need to go that route :thumbsup:

Lovely pics BTW :wub: :wub:

Click to expand...
Lesley,

Thanks for this although I have assisted in these operations myself (used to be a vet nurse)

I would love to see the pics though...... :- "
 
:oops: of course sorry I forgot :oops:

bandage on, milking it :- "

dew.jpg
 
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bandage off being looked after by Callie :huggles:

dew_2.jpg
 
Aww Callie and Sienna :wub: My very first whippet also had hers removed at 6 months due to her almost ripping one out - hence the operation and everything went very well. Just bandaged like Lesleys dog.

The other two Ive had both had them removed by the breeders at 3/4 days. :thumbsup:
 
"Bandage on, milking it" I love that!!

Thanks for the pics, they look gorgeous together all snuggled :wub:
 
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