I think my chihuahua still has hers. Why do they remove them and what are they for and how do they remove them?
2007-04-15 14:29:52 · 10 answers · asked by happydawg 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
When I took my little Pomeranian to be spayed, the vet suggested that her dew claws be removed, simply because it's so easy for them to get caught on things and tear and hurt and bleed. They really serve no purpose, maybe they're leftover toes that evolved and now are not useable. It is best to have them removed, it will save them from being injured later.
2007-04-15 14:34:56 · answer #1 · answered by Starscape 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Breeders can remove them when the pups are days old. If you get a pup or dog with dew claws you need to have a vet remove them. As a dog groomer they are very unhandy on dog with hair that covers the feet because they can get caught in a comb very easily, though with a chi you wouldn't have that problem. I think a dog looks better without them but it's personal preference!
2007-04-15 21:51:49 · answer #2 · answered by Afghan_Hound_Dog_Groomer 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's an extra claw that will get in the dog's way if not taken off, when the pups are born the vet just pulls the claw out and stitches the little area up, it hurts them a little but is better in the long run.
2007-04-15 21:55:25 · answer #3 · answered by littleangel_20002003 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They serve no purpose. I wouldn't have my dogs dew claws removed. Its a natural thing.
2007-04-15 22:39:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are just extra claws on the 'ankle'. Some have it on the back feet, front feet or both. They are non functional [although I read that Norwegian Lundehund's dew claws are functional]
When they are pups [few days old] the vet amputates them, because if you don't you risk having it catching on something and ripping off.
Edit; Trimming the nail can prevent ^ that.
2007-04-15 21:34:11 · answer #5 · answered by Canine luver 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
My Shi-tzu still has his. They are supposed to be removed when they are very young. If they are not removed then, it can be very painful to remove them. This is what the vet told me. Make sure that you keep the nail trimmed, since your dog is a chihuahua, you don't have to worry about nicking them when giving her a hair cut. So, she should be fine.
2007-04-15 21:37:27 · answer #6 · answered by iga k 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have one dog that still has hers and another that does not. It does not sound nice, but when they are really little pups, they just clip the dew claws off. They do the same thing to dogs that need their tails cropped. As to what they are for, I don't really know.
2007-04-15 21:35:14 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Dewclaws are just extra digits that are not attached with lots of ligaments or have bone in them. We remove them if they might be a problem in the future. If they are very loose or long and might look like they might get caught and torn then we remove them. We take a scapel and gently cut it of and suture or tissue glue the remaining skin together so you cant tell that anything was there. Its a very easy procedure.
2007-04-15 21:40:37 · answer #8 · answered by Vetgirl 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They are removed for cosmetics(looks). Some breeders(myself) remove them at home with a pair of toe nail clippers. I do it at a day old. I put pressure on the paw by pressing down with my forefinger and thumb and then I feel for the small space in between and make sure that is where the clippers cut, and just snip it off. I have some flour close by to stop the small amount of bleeding. It is not very hard at all, but it is best to have a vet show you how the first time and maybe supervise.
2007-04-15 21:42:03 · answer #9 · answered by Kat 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
wats a dew claw?
2007-04-15 21:33:22 · answer #10 · answered by no name 1 · 0⤊ 6⤋