when is best to remove the small claw?

Question

can the small claw be removed if the dog is an adult or is it better to remove while it's a pup

sorry i wasn't clear the dog is a pug

Answer 1

The "small" claw doesn't always have to be removed. It all depends on the breed of the dog or if the claw is growing into the leg. This question would be best answered by a veterinarian that is familiar with your dog.

Answer 2

Dew claws are better removed while the puppies are young (about a week old). During this time, there is no need for ansthesia. It is better while this young because the blood vessels are still too minute so bleeding is very negligible, less trauma, and healing is faster. If this is done during adult, its the opposite. You need anethesia, more severe bleeding, takes more time to heal and its more expensvie then. Sometimes this is not remove because it is a requirement in some breeds like the Great Mountain Pyreeness in dog shows. Sometimes it also interferes with walking as its nails will get longer to scratch the other leg. If you anticipate this to be a problem, you should have it removed.
You just told that your dog is a Pug. You know sometimes, it is dificult to anesthetize this breed . Vets know the reason related to its flat face (long soft palate). If I were you, if this dew claw is not causing a problem, better leave it there as is.

Answer 3

The dewclaw should be removed when the pup is about a week of age, depending on the vet.
If the dewclaw is only attached by skin, it may be a good idea to have it removed, as it can get caught and tear--not a pretty sight and certainly painful. Anesthesia is riskier for a pug, like any short-nosed breed, but if done correctly (quick induction followed by isoflurane gas anesthesia delivered by an endotracheal tube, tube not removed until dog is breathing very well and starting to fight the tube) the dog should be fine. Ask about what anesthesia is used. Do not go to a vet who uses only injectable anesthesia for a short-nosed breed, they should always be intubated.
If the dewclaw is a fully developed digit, it should not be removed. It is a functional 'thumb', not opposable, of course, but dogs do use dewclaws to help dig, hold bones/balls/toys, scratch their face, etc. Just be sure to keep the nail trimmed like the rest of the nails.

Answer 4

It's not necessary to remove the dew claw. If you decide to, it really needs to be done very young. As the dog gets older, the veins into the dew claw get larger which makes for more pain and a much harder healing time. I would just leave it alone. All 3 of my dogs have their dew claws, no one problem. No one in my family has a dog with removed dew claws and no one has had problems, that includes 2 family members with chain link fences.

Answer 5

good breeders of dogs that need docked tails an remove dew claws, do this within minutes of being born quicker the better. Better to let mom help lick the areas when cleaning up the afterbirth, some dew claws at this stage haven't had time to grow into real toes yet , there not attached , if done at this stage there is seldom even a scar. if done later its like removing one of your toes. it could really hurt and take longer to heal, and you would have the memory of the trauma, if done a birth they barely miss a lick lol

Answer 6

If the dew calw needs to be removed for breed standards, it should be done the same time as they crop the tails, at a few days old. Some breeds do not require this. It is more of a cosmetic issue. However, if it is dangly and catching on things then your vet may want to remove it. This will be an surgical/anesthetic procedure. Goodluck, Jenelle CTV

Answer 7

Dew claws need only be removed if they are not attached completely. Some are attached with a decent size bone others are only attached by skin.
Best time to do it is when you are getting your dog desexed, then it can be done under a general anaesthetic without having to do an anaesthetic just to remove 2 dew claws.

Answer 8

If it isn't removed by 5-8 days old, it can be removed at time of spay /neuter. Most vets won't even charge extra for that.
However, unless it is being a problem, it doesn't need to be removed at all..The ones that are the problem, are with the very curly breeds, such as poodles, or if it is a hanging claw..
Some breeds have to keep their dewclaws, as it is a disqualification to remove them...My breed normally keeps theirs.

Answer 9

The simple answers is that it should be done as a pup. A puppy can learn to walk like that easily, where as an older dog might not be as easy...

Answer 10

"Dewclaws" are removed around 7-8 days of age. Otherwise it has to be done surgically by a vet. This is the best, the ONLY time to remove them yourself. I always recommend having them removed because they tend to catch on things and get damaged easily.