My dog has torn off dewclaw

[Cheryl Dudley]

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My Bully has torn off dewclaw in play today, has bled quite a bit and I have cleaned it with cooled boiled water..not had this before with a dog, can anyone help as to ..is it likely.to need antibiotics? Should I bandage? Might she need pain relief?

 

[RGC]

This has happened with two of our whippets. Our vet recommended bathing in salt water but I’m sure that opinions vary. If the claw is still hanging on I think a vet referral would be sensible. Our whippets had no further angst. Hope it works out well for the dog. And a happy new year to you all.

 

[Hemlock]

Depends on the state of the injury, and as it's a first time for you, I reckon you'd best take some pics and send them to your vet.

There's a big difference in treatment between broken the nail, pulled the nail askew, pulled off the nail, pulled out the nail or broken the toe, also if it is a front or hind claw (bully breeds often have dewclaws all round, and a hind one is quite different from a front one).

Let us know how you get on.

 

[excuseme]

We had a torn claw last year, (not a dew claw but had pulled the nail off) I bathed it in salt water, it was very bloody, the vet had to remove the dangling remains. No bandaging was required,"Dainty" kept it clean herself, she was prescribed antibiotics.
All fine now and a normal claw has re grown.

 

[JudyN]

Just to add to the above, I've read that they can be very painful, so do be alert for any signs of pain that might need treating (bearing in mind that bullys can be very good at hiding pain).

 

[JoanneF]

And, because feet are on the ground, watch out for infections setting in.

 

[Cheryl Dudley]

Thanks everyone, so the update ..we've bathed x3 times a day and it's looking much better...the claw has come completely out ..it's her front paw and she doesn't seem to be bothered about it thankfully..we are however going to vet as have also found quite a large laceration on the inside of her hind leg this morning which she is clearly aware of and walking straight legged on it and a bit reluctant with stairs. ..think this is from investigations in hedges! She does run like a bull at a gate into the bushes..very excitible... So will get vet to check everything over

 

[JudyN]

They're like kids sometimes, aren't they? If you don't come back from a walk without the odd graze or cut, you haven't been having enough fun

 

[Cheryl Dudley]

Absolutely!..I encourage them to snuffle about ,it's good fun for them it's just unfortunate we have an injury...sure it won't prevent her nosiness in the future..oh the exhuberance of youth

 

[Evee Martin]

hello! i've read in this article broken nail that u first need to stop them from licking that affected area then properly clean the affected area twice a day using warm saltwater (one teaspoon of salt and one pint of warm water).
Once the area has been disinfected, cover it with a small cloth to prevent your dog from licking their paw so the wound can heal. If your dog is still in pain, take it to the vet. Hope this helps!

 

[Hemlock]

It's a personal choice, but I always let dogs lick wounds as long as they aren't overdoing it and causing damage. I've never personally had a dog overlick, but I do know some do. There are components in saliva that aid healing. After all, what's the first thing we do if we cut (say) a finger?

That's not to diss the other advice, just to point out that there are different takes on the same issue.

 

[Cheryl Dudley]

Thanks, all advice is useful..it's good to hear how others deal with things..gives you confidence in yourself if you have attempted your own methods and someone else has had similar experiences. Fortunately this appeared to be a straightforward claw pulled straight out and was clean wound which she has not bothered with since.the hind leg wound however did still cause some walking issues for several days but has not fully healed yet. She is walking fine now..lile a steam train in actual fact ..just taking care not to knock off scab

 

[RGC]

Thanks, all advice is useful..it's good to hear how others deal with things..gives you confidence in yourself if you have attempted your own methods and someone else has had similar experiences. Fortunately this appeared to be a straightforward claw pulled straight out and was clean wound which she has not bothered with since.the hind leg wound however did still cause some walking issues for several days but has not fully healed yet. She is walking fine now..lile a steam train in actual fact ..just taking care not to knock off scab

That’s good news. It’ll take time to grow back. Never understood the rationale for dewclaws until we saw that Blue, a lovely boy whippet - now gone, tried to scoop up a squirrel on a tree with his forelimbs à la volleyball manoeuvre. Glad the ordeal is over.