Dew Claws

[willows]

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Hi Folks

Has anyone else had a problem getting a vet to remove dew claws. My Ruby was booked in today to be spayed and have her dew claws removed, she's nearly 14 months and they weren't done when she was first born. I received a phone call about an hour after dropping her off to be told its the vets and that they had just finished the spay but they would not be unable to remove the dew claws as it is illegal to remove front dew claws on an adult dog or any dog over 3 days old unless there is a medical need to do so, this was from a 3rd vet, not the owner who I had originally spoken to about removing them 8 months ago nor the vet who had gone through all the pre-op checks when I dropped her off, but the one who was doing the operations today. How could 2 vets agree to something and then a 3rd state it's illegal and that he has checked with the vets legal aid people so now the owner agrees with him. All I kept getting told was sorry they had got it wrong and that they thought they could remove them but now their hands are tied, strange how when I told the owner I was going to make a complaint to the Veternary College about the fact we had a contract for them to carry out both operations at the same time and that they should not have proceeded with either if they weren't going to do one without contacting me first, to give me the oportunity to use a different vets, did I immediately get given a 30% discount on the spay.

 

[bertha]

Hi FolksHas anyone else had a problem getting a vet to remove dew claws. My Ruby was booked in today to be spayed and have her dew claws removed, she's nearly 14 months and they weren't done when she was first born. I received a phone call about an hour after dropping her off to be told its the vets and that they had just finished the spay but they would not be unable to remove the dew claws as it is illegal to remove front dew claws on an adult dog or any dog over 3 days old unless there is a medical need to do so, this was from a 3rd vet, not the owner who I had originally spoken to about removing them 8 months ago nor the vet who had gone through all the pre-op checks when I dropped her off, but the one who was doing the operations today. How could 2 vets agree to something and then a 3rd state it's illegal and that he has checked with the vets legal aid people so now the owner agrees with him. All I kept getting told was sorry they had got it wrong and that they thought they could remove them but now their hands are tied, strange how when I told the owner I was going to make a complaint to the Veternary College about the fact we had a contract for them to carry out both operations at the same time and that they should not have proceeded with either if they weren't going to do one without contacting me first, to give me the oportunity to use a different vets, did I immediately get given a 30% discount on the spay.

I had my whippets dew claws removed at 5months as his breeder left it too long when they were pups. It is quite a big op when they are adult. I didn't think it was illegal!

 

[pocket rocket]

our lara had her dew claws left on and our vet would not remove them either and she was having trouble with them too..our vet told us to vet wrap them up when out running .It was a bit of a pain as i was no good at putting that stuff on .As i would put it on to tight bless her .She would end up with fat feet.So in the end we just used to put vaseline on them when out racing :thumbsup:

 

[willows]

What's really annoyed me is they didn't contact me first just went ahead with the spay and then told me they wouldn't remove them

 

[devonmaid]

thats blooming annoying ,sounds like a bit of a grey area ,how do they know shes not constantly tearing them ,and agree would rather only put the dog through antheasia (sp) once ,neither was a emergency op so they should have consulted you

 

[dennned]

simple really------change your vets, nothing wrong in having them removed in adulthood, but much easier when theyre born-------den

 

[sue burton]

we had Tygs removed when we had him castrated just asked the vet he said is he catching them I said yes he said ok no problem

 

[willows]

simple really------change your vets, nothing wrong in having them removed in adulthood, but much easier when theyre born-------den

not that easy!!! it now means she'll have to have a 2nd lot of anasthetic which is what I was trying to avoid, because they had already knocked her out and done the spay before they rang me. I will be changing vets because of this, not because they wouldn't remove them but because of their business practice of starting the ops and then ringing me to tell me they wont be doing all they agreed to do so I would still have to pay them something :angry: :angry:

 

[willows]

thats blooming annoying ,sounds like a bit of a grey area ,how do they know shes not constantly tearing them ,and agree would rather only put the dog through antheasia (sp) once ,neither was a emergency op so they should have consulted you

Thanks Tish!!!

I'll tell you what if she starts tearing them now they will be doing it for free, I'm bloody furious the way they have treated us. :angry: :angry:

On a happier note did you manage to sell all of your beddy/whippet/greyhound pups you had on FB they looked great and if Ruby wasn't going in for this I might have been interested in one.

Cheers

Pete

 

[bertha]

For your information:

Removing Dew Claws: The Procedure

Depending on the age of the dog, removing a dew claw is a simple procedure that may even be able to be done with only a local anesthetic, meaning the dog is not under total anesthesia and is only numbed at the removal site.

A dew claw should only be removed by a licensed veterinarian in an office setting. While it is a simple procedure, owners should not attempt dew claw removal on their own, as complications can occur and proper precautions should be taken.

Dog owners should plan on being with their dog during the recovery period, as dogs often will not stop licking the removal site.

Removing Dew Claws: Combining Procedures

In many cases, veterinarians can recommend dew claw removal at the same time a dog is spayed or neutered. This means the dog will only be under anesthesia once, and only one recovery period and veterinarian visit will be necessary.

This can be helpful for both owners and dogs: Owners will only need to plan their schedule around one vet visit and one recovery period, and dogs will only need to undergo anxiety of a vet visit and pain with recovery during one short period. Additionally, this will save dog owners money on office visit charges at the veterinarian.

it is not illegal to remove an adult dogs dew claws, your vet should have carried out your wishes.