Dew Claws

[BestBuddy]

Help.

Luke caught his dew claw on something last week and I had trouble getting the bleeding to stop. He wasn't limping so I bandaged it so he wouldn't catch it on anything else.

I asked the lady who trims his nails what I should do and she told me that I should keep it bandaged for a week to see if it will heal. I did this and today I took off the bandage and within an hour it was bleeding again.

Looks like it is off to the vet tomorrow and I wonder if they will remove it. Has anyone had an adult dog get their dew claw removed? Should I get the other one removed at the same time?

Jenny

[SasAndYunah]

Hi Jenny,

if I remember correctly, in english, "dew claw" stands for both the hind and front legs? When we say dew claw, it always and only refers to the hindlegs. So, to be sure wich paw you are talking about...is it a front or a back paw?

Dew claws on front paws should never be removed but the dew claws on the hindlegs are, here at least, almost always removed, preferably when the pup is 3 days old.

Yunah once had her dew claw on a front leg injured/torn and I bathed her paw 4 times a day in a Betadine bath. And of course, had to make sure she didn't lick or touch it. It took about 2 weeks to heal.

Saskia and Yunah :)

[BestBuddy]

Thanks Sas,

I was talking about the front He doesn't have the extra on the back.

Maybe I am just getting ahead of myself talking about having to remove them. I just googled dew claws and it seemed that if they didn't heal then they would have to be removed.

One week didn't fix the problem so I will keep the bandage on and see how it is in another week.

I can't really see where the problem is, not sure if it just the nail or the actual "toe". He doesn't seem to be in pain with the bandage on and surprisingly he doesn't seem to mind the bandage. It's like he knows it is there to help.

I did use an antiseptic wash after the bleeding stopped and when I change the bandage in a few days I will do it again.

Jenny

[SasAndYunah]

Ha, I again learned something new, also in Aussieland they use "dew claw" for both the front and back :) Here, the front ones are never removed, it's forbidden even, because they are functional. Dogs will use them to hold objects in their paws for example. Of course, with a serious injury, it can occur that it needs to be amputated. Like a leg...but you don't "remove" it for potential risk at injury. On the frontlegs, the dew claws are attached to the leg with bone, ligaments etc. Usually on the hindlegs, the dew claws are only attached with some loose skin and they are non functional. The ones at the hindlegs, pose a huge risk for injury and are therefore often removed. And since it's only skin, it's not that painful. Dew claws on frontlegs are an entirely different story, very painful and high risk for (bone)infection after the procedure compared to much lesser risk for injuries.

To try and prevent risks at injuring the dew claw at the front paws, keep the nail as short as possible. Since those nails are not subject to normal wear as the other nails (since they don't touch the ground) they will grow and grow. But accidents can always happen :)

I would however, if it still bleeds after one week, let a vet have a look at it. Maybe he/she can see where the actual problem is located and give some good advice or additional treatment :)

Sas and Yunah :)

[BestBuddy]

It has been bleeding through the bandage...damm.

We managed to get to the vet straight away and after a lot of struggling the vet managed to see that the nail was broken very high up so it needs to be removed. It will not heal on its own and it would take many months for it to grow out enough to safely cut away the broken bit.

Luke is absolutely petrified when people touch his nails. We have been working on this for over a year with a groomer and trims every two months. Out last visit to the groomer for a trim was the first time he didn't pee and poop himself during the trim and both the groomer and I didn't even get a scratch.

I hope this doesn't set him back but because they are going to anesthetize him maybe he will not remember it.

Jenny

[Franklin'sMum]

Hi Jenny,

My friend with the greyhounds had the front dew claw removed after the pup got it caught on something and tore the flap of skin that holds it on. The vet apparently recommended the amputation in that instance.

Jane, Franklin and Angel Bailey xxx

[BestBuddy]

I believe they are just going to remove the nail not the actual "finger".

I think the nail will grow back????

From what I gather if they can save the digit that is what they prefer.

He's going in tomorrow at 8am and I am told they will have him ready to come home at lunchtime.

Jenny

[SasAndYunah]

Oh poor Luke! But I am glad to learn the vet had a good look at it and could advise you properly according to the injury. I too suspect the vet will leave the digit intact if possible because in front paws, that's the best way. Wishing both you and Luke the very best and will be looking forward to any updates tomorrow...

Sas and Yunah :)

[SasAndYunah]

Hi Jenny,

how's Luke?

Sas and Yunah :)

[BestBuddy]

Sorry stuff has been keeping me busy.

Luke had the nail removed in a fairly easy surgery on Tuesday morning and I was able to take him home at lunch time.

I was suspicious that they gave me the wrong dog;) because Luke usually has two settings, stop and flat out. The dog I took home had a new medium speed.

It didn't last long because that evening he was back to flat out and doesn't seem to even notice the bandage or worry the paw at all. He is the first dog I have ever had that has not tried to chew off any offending bandages.

I have to leave the bandage on for a week and when I take it off I can decide whether he needs to see the vet again. He has been on antibiotics since the night before the surgery and they will continue until next week just to be on the safe side.

I assume if the entire nail is gone it will be a bit tender for a month or so until it has grown back.

All in all a good result.

Jenny

[Franklin'sMum]

Hi Jenny,

Glad to hear Luke is feeling better and back to his regular self. I think though that if they removed the entire nail, it will take longer than a month to grow back.
Hoping for a speedy recovery, and that it's looking good next week when the bandage comes off.

Jane, Franklin and Angel Bailey xxx

[SasAndYunah]

Jenny,

thanks for the update :) It's always nice to hear that a procedure went uneventfully...and good to know that Luke doesnt seem to be affected in any way, being his usual self :D Hopefully the healing with go just as smoothly,

Sas and Yunah :)

[BestBuddy]

I just read the report on Luke's surgery that I found in my handbag.:eek:

It says that the entire nail was removed and that it could take 10-12 weeks for the nail to regrow completely.

I am allowed to removed the bandage tomorrow so I will see what it looks like and decide if it needs to be protected (bandage) for a bit longer.

I assume it will be a bit like when we loose a nail, it hardens up fairly quickly and doesn't need much protection while the nail grows.

He really has been so good not trying to remove the bandage himself and there has been no licking or limping. I have forgotten how quickly young healthy dogs heal themselves.;)

Jenny