At what point should a puppy get its Dew Claws removed?
2006-10-01 14:04:05 · 11 answers · asked by Karli 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Well, I have a 5 month old female Maltese, whos ignorant country bumpkin breeder did not remove her dew claws. She does get hooked up on things a lot, and we didn't realize she still had her Dew Claws until tonight. We do want to remove them to prevent her from snagging or harm. We will probably do so when we get her fixed. (soon.)
Is this going to be painful for her? And how much will it cost me?
2006-10-01 14:26:06 · update #1
Either at 3-5 days old, or if not done then, it can be done when the dog is spayed or neutered...After 5 days old, it requires anesthesia, so it it best and cheapest done during the neutering surgery.
It only really needs done if the dewclaws are of the 'hanging' type..If they are held close to the leg, they are not troublesome if left natural
However, they need to be watched and clipped frequently..
2006-10-01 14:07:38 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think its interesting that some people have responded so adamantly and across the board that there is no reason to remove the dew claw. Until you have a dog that experiences chronic problems with them, then I suppose it just sounds cruel to remove the dew claw. However, when you have a very active breed and they are continually snagging their dew claw on things, and until you experience your dog being in severe pain because of their dew claw, and you have to go to the emergency clinic frequently because of them, then maybe you would have a different opinion. I'm 49 years old, I've had 4 dogs in my life. 3 of my 4 dogs never encountered any problems with dew claws. Hence, we left the dew claws intact. Up until 6 years ago, I too may have said there is no reason to remove a dew claw, however, I believe there are extenuating circumstances and one should consider the possibility that it is more cruel to leave them intact than to remove them. My current dog suffers greatly because of her dew claws. Therefore, when we go to the vet today because her dew claw is, once again, sore and infected, I intend to discuss the pros and cons of having them removed, and l will hopefully make an educated decision that will ultimately lead to a better quality of life for my dog in the long run.
2006-10-04 10:53:55 · answer #2 · answered by cte 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You can wait until you take it to the vet for its first shots, have the vet remove the dew claws. Better to remove the dew claws early on than have them torn off when they're caught and snagged when the puppy is older.
However, if you are not squeamish, you can do it yourself with very sharp, sterilized scissors a few days after the puppies are born. The wounds heal rapidly.
Many breeds require the dew claws removed if you are going to show that animal.
2006-10-01 21:09:12 · answer #3 · answered by Mmerobin 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
lildancen... I have seen the dew claws of some dogs get caught in the underbrush, or on fences.. it does cause real damage.
I had the dew claws of my husky/shepherd removed, though I would suggest removing them when they are far younger. Like an amputation, I would assume there is some pain long afterward, but compared to having them seriously hurt later on.. which would you chose.
My angel only goes out when we do, and is never left alone. Some however, use their dogs for hunting, field trials, agility trails, and just have fun with them..
2006-10-01 21:11:33 · answer #4 · answered by sassy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dew claws should be removed by the time they are three days old, after that I wouldn't bother, just keep them trimmed when you clip the rest of her nails, I have four dogs that still have their dew claws and I keep them trimmed and have no problemsThe older the dogs is the more it will bleed from the removal and you will have to deal with stitches where they removed them and the dog will want to chew on the stitches unless they put one of the cone collars on it.
2006-10-02 02:06:44 · answer #5 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have dogs all my life, now i have to full blodded golden retreivers and i have never had a problem with dew claws. They don't have to be removed unless you would like them removed. They don't bug the dogs, they don't even know that they are there. But if you feel that they need to be removed do so about six months of age. Good luck and i hope this helped!!!
2006-10-01 21:12:45 · answer #6 · answered by kree1027 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Puppies should have their dewclaws removed between 3 and 5 days old. If older than that, I wouldn't worry about it. He will be perfectly fine to leave them on. It is possible to remove them when the puppy is spayed/neutered at around 4 months old, but it is usually very painful and pretty expensive, not to mention unnecessary.
2006-10-01 21:07:57 · answer #7 · answered by IndyVetTech 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well as you have been told by a few of these folks, they
need to be done at an early age, and if your worried about getting hung up just keep them clipped and you will not have any problems and it will be easyer on the young dog hope this helps
2006-10-01 22:56:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no later than a few days old.
2006-10-01 21:12:23 · answer #9 · answered by mrslongbong 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Did that "LARN YA" about buying stuff from MORONS???
Dewclaws can easily be removed when you SPAY the bitc-h!! Like TOMORROW!!!! It's NO big deal!!!
2006-10-02 09:16:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋