Dog Community

Torn dew claw

Posted : 9/24/2006 12:07:17 AM

Hi all, I took my Terrier/Chihuahua mix Mimi to the groomers today to have her claws trimmed. I suggested to the groomer that Mimi be muzzled as I was worried that she may bite as she HATES going there, even though I trust the groomers will do a great job. Once the muzzle was put on, Mimi frantically tried to get it off and inadvertently tore off her dew claw. They treated it and once I got home, gave Mimi half a baby aspirin for pain. This is the 2nd time this year she has torn off her claw. Has anyone else had any problems with their dogs tearing their dew claws off more than once? Anyone ever have the dew claws surgically removed to prevent future injuries? Thanks.

dvet

Posted : 9/24/2006 1:06:46 PM

susrgical removal is not a big deal but two torn dews would not make a case...can you clip them yourself at home...that would be a far better remedy..
the surgery can be done with sedation and local anesthetic----whoops maybe not with your dog who is a worry wart...but again i would say this is not a case yet for removal, especiallyif you can do them at home yourself

Dee Dee

Posted : 9/26/2006 1:12:27 AM

Hi, I'm not sure why you think two torn dew claws doesn't make a case. This is a dog that runs around in the bush and forest jumping over logs and branches chasing squirrels. We adopted her at a yr. old from a rescue group (she's 2 now) and she came to us filled with lots of fears and anxieties, many of which she still has. Having her claws trimmed just adds to her anxieties and I'm sure reminds her of the trauma of having torn the first one (which she caught in in my sweater) and now this 2nd one. I'm positive she has the memory of an elephant too.

If I felt comfortable clipping her claws myself, believe me I'd be doing it. She even bit the vet when I took her in the first time to dress the wound. The other problem with trimming her claws myself is that they're black and if they were opaque then I probably would feel comfortable doing them because then I would know exactly where to cut.

I've called and left a couple of messages for my vet now and am just waiting to hear back from him. I would rather not have to do the surgery but she's easily traumatized and I definitely don't want the same thing to happen to those claws again. Is that so wrong?

NicoleS

Posted : 9/26/2006 9:24:35 AM

Awww she's a cutie! I understand where dvet is coming from, but talk it over with your vet and see how they feel. Ultimately, I would go with what the vet recommends, since they know you and your dog. I know that sometimes as puppies hunting dogs, etc get them removed just as one would dock the ear or tail, like you said in order to prevent this from happening. I disagree with doing things like that for asthetic reasons only, but obviously your girl is in pain from this so there is some merit to it.

I'd be interested to see what your vet says when they call you back.

Dee Dee

Posted : 9/27/2006 1:17:02 AM

Thanks Nicole, your dog is pretty cute too [

]

I've got an appt. on Sunday with the vet so if he thinks the surgery will be an easy one, then that's great and I will probably make my decision that day. However, I'm somewhat apprehensive about post surgical recovery, especially the chance of infection,

ain etc. If I think the surgery will cause her more pain than the day she tore her claw last week, then I won't have it done. She honestly doesn't use those claws for anything other than getting them caught in stuff though. The same afternoon she tore her claw out the groomer told me to keep her inside, but since the day was warm and sunny she was anxious to get out and do some squirrel chasing so that's what we did. She's a tough little dog that one...

I know that sometimes as puppies hunting dogs, etc get them removed just as one would dock the ear or tail, like you said in order to prevent this from happening. I disagree with doing things like that for asthetic reasons only, but obviously your girl is in pain from this so there is some merit to it.

That's what I was thinking too. I would never inflict uneccessary

ain on our dog and if I cannot get assurances that she will be fine after the surgery I just won't have it done.

I'd be interested to see what your vet says when they call you back.

I'll let you know what he says after I see him this weekend. Anyway, hope the weather where you are is as nice as ours is right now and that you and your dog are enjoying the outdoors...

jennie_c_d

Posted : 10/3/2006 1:25:28 PM

If you decide against putting her under for just dewclaw removal, you might consider it if she has to be put under, again, for tooth cleaning or any other surgical proceedure. I'm waiting on a fatty tumor, on my older dog. Next tooth cleaning, the fatty tumor goes, too. I like to combine things, if I can, to keep the anesthesia minimal.