We just got our first Shih Tzu. He is adorable, black and white, 9 weeks old, 2.1 pounds. He does have front dew claws, but not rear dew claws. While getting his nails trimmed, the lady suggested we have his dew claws removed when we have him neutered. Has anyone else done this and how did your dog react after having it done? Would you recommend having it done or not?
2006-09-23 15:51:08 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I would not recommend it, just make sure you keep them trimmed and they won't be a problem
2006-09-23 15:59:44 · answer #1 · answered by Iron Rider 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
We always remove the dew claws from puppies at 7 days old. It would be a good idea to have them removed when he's neutered as he will already be under anesthetic. The dew claws tend to catch on things and get ripped open quite often. Like I said we remove them from all our puppies and I wouldn't recommend ever leaving them.
Edit: My word the ignorance!! There isn't a bone in the dew claw. It's just loose skin basically! And as for neutering it is the only way with a pet quality dog because that way you prevent testicular cancer and prostate cancer. Not to mention it's kinder to the dog because he won't be trying to get out to all the neighborhood bitches when they are in heat.
2006-09-23 16:42:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There really are no negatives to declawing the dew claws. I've had Shih Tzu's my entire life and it wasn't until my later pets that I started getting the dew claws removed. I never regretted it and nothing negative ever came from the situation. I got it done every time a pet got spayed/neutered and never even thought twice about it. If you are going to do it, I would do it when you get your pet neutered. That way he is only put under anesthesia a single time and it is basically like killing two birds with one stone. I hope this helps. Good luck with your puppy!!!
2006-09-23 16:17:05 · answer #3 · answered by ilovepuppies85 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would NOT recommend it on a dog his age. For a dog that will be mostly indoors getting regular nail trims, it's not necessary. The dewclaw is like the dog's thumb, only they can't move it around. Some dogs have a dewclaw that is not very well attached and it can easily be removed, but usually front dewclaws are well attached and it would require a more serious surgery to remove them. We do recommend removing them from dogs that will be hunting or doing field trials or something of that nature where they will be running through brush and stuff and might rip them off. It's much less painful to remove them surgically than violently getting it caught on a branch and pulling it off!. For inside dogs, it's not really an issue. You just have to remember to trim them when you cut his nails. Usually they are removed by the breeder's vet at 3 DAYS of age, (supposedly) before the nerves, blood vessels and bones have fully developed. At 9 weeks, and especially at 4 months when he's old enough to neuter, he's too old for that.
2006-09-23 15:55:01 · answer #4 · answered by Lauren M 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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Hi there! Great question!! I hope to help! It is absolutely NOT too late at all to have your Shih tzu's dew claws (extra toes) removed. In fact, if breeders do not have the dew claws removed from their litter at two days old (some breeders do, some breeders don't) then vets recommend that owners have the dew claws removed at the same time as the neuter/spay. That way you don't need to put your baby under anesthesia a second time to remove the extra toes. It is always a good idea to remove extra toes on canines, especially if they are what we like to call "loose". Some dew claws are boney, others are only attached by a skin flap. The main difference between the two: BOTH boney and loose dew claws usually get caught on objects (typically fabrics), however, when loose dew claws get caught on objects the bleeding is a lot more extreme and the toes usually get ripped off. I have seen that dozens of times, while boney dew claws still get caught, but are stronger and usually don't tear off. Regardless, it is recommended to remove the extra toes to prevent them from getting caught/torn on objects. Besides, your dog doesn't need them anyways :) I had 4 extra toes (so very loose!!) removed on my Saint Bernard puppy when she was 6 months old at the same time as her spay. She did great :) Good luck, no worries, hope this helped! UPDATE: Since your pup has already shown his ability to catch his dew claws on fabrics, it would be best to avoid the possible risk of having him seriously injure himself. I would highly recommend to have them removed with his neuter. We had one client who also had a small-breed dog with 2 extra toes on his rear legs and while she was at work he got caught on a throw on her couch and by the time she got home he was in shock because of the pain/blood loss (awful clotting in dew claws). Poor guy! We removed his dew claws that evening.
2016-04-05 23:52:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most dogs have front dewclaws. Some breeds have them removed at 3-4 days old. I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep them trimmed. Removing them now is bone surgery, and is quite painful. If you decide to have them removed, he'll have stiches and will probably have bandages on for 2 weeks that must be kept clean and dry, and changed a few times. He'll aslo need antibiotics and pain medicine.
2006-09-23 16:12:54 · answer #6 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, we have a shihTzu and he has all his claws and his crown jewels are still in place. He has a wonderful temperament, doesn't bark, loves me to death, and we all love him a lot. Don't mess with nature. If he was a big dog, maybe we would have him neutered. But if your dog has a quiet temperament, leave his privates alone.As for the claws, I guess it is to prevent them getting caught on something and being torn off.
2006-09-23 15:59:09 · answer #7 · answered by jammer 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
YES!!! DO IT!!! *&* SOON!!! SOONER THE BETTER!!!
It doesn't need nuts OR dews & they'll BOTH only cause trouble in the long run!
2006-09-24 01:31:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, but i love shih tzus i have 2 of them
2006-09-23 16:55:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
no not recomended...
2006-09-23 16:40:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋