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Dew Claws - Absolute Nightmare!

Rebecca Claire

Rebecca Claire
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Hi Everyone,

Bailey is 3 years old, absolutely smashing boy, full of life HOWEVER bless his little heart he has now caught his front dew claws numerous times over the past few years and he did it again last night. Took him to the vets as he had completely cut his nail in half, kept bleeding on way back from walk but was extremely brave. Nail has been pulled off and on antibiotics. My old whippet Rocky has his removed at birth and sometimes wished Bailey had this done at birth!!!

I'm now thinking I will vet wrap them up whilst taking him out on walks to avoid this happening again as its unnecessary pain for him unless you have any other ideas that could help him???? :unsure:

Thank you so much xx
 
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I had Dylan's dew claws removed, he was 5 mths old when the vet removed them. I was worried about the same thing as you, plus as a show dog they prefer them without dew claws. If you don't want to put him through an op, vet wrap is a good idea. Good luck.
 
I had Dylan's dew claws removed, he was 5 mths old when the vet removed them. I was worried about the same thing as you, plus as a show dog they prefer them without dew claws. If you don't want to put him through an op, vet wrap is a good idea. Good luck.
Thank you. Bailey is far from a show dog as he has had so many ops and scars!!!!! I think he's too old to have them off now but if it was recommended I would have it done but so far the vet has said no. I take it Dylans op when well when he had them removed - I didn't realise whippets are preferred without dew claws when showing - learn something new every day ;)

Thanks again :thumbsup:
 
If your dog is going in for a general anesthetic anyway, it may be a consideration having them done. I was warned that it is considered quite major surgery (a bit like us having our thumbs removed) as a dog gets older and often they do not heal easily.

Toddy's dewclaws stick out like a sore thumb, if you will excuse the pun :D but they are proving very felxible and despite his zest for life, have never torn.

What about two narrow tubigrip bandages (type for fingers perhaps) that you pull on before walks or something similar (you may have to make them yourself) a lot less bother than applying vetwrap daily. It is a nasty injury when it happens. Both of Foxys have been badly torn over the years and the nailbed damaged so the nails do not grow property. This has actually proved a bonus as her dewclaw nails are very easy to keep really short.

I am not sure about finding the right size of tubigrip but it is an idea :luck: :luck:
 
It is quite a major op, but I thought it was worth is for Dylan's sake, not the showing side. My vet was in full agreement with me. It's up to you really. If your vet advises against it, use vet wrap, that will stay put!!!!! Racing whippets have their front legs wrapped just to protect their stopper pads.
 
Tubigrip now that is something to consider. Bailey is being really brave and charging around still, not depressed thankfully. No nail to be seen, he has managed to snap it so high up, makes me cringe!!! My vet had said its a major op (like a thumb being removed) but if he keeps breaking them that can't be good for him at all so will monitor it over time (so will the vet no doubt). If I wrap them up it may be the answer and see how it goes and how long they stay on. Bailey just loves bounding into the woods like a puppy so will give it a go tomorrow ;)

Thank you for this, really helps to make sure I am doing the right thing - whippet with sweat bands (w00t) (w00t)
 

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