[Clippart]

Kenai is 5 months old now, and just had her rear dew claws removed last Tuesday while she was getting spayed. The breeder removed the front dew claws right after she was born, but didn't realize that she had rear ones. Anyway, our vet recommended leaving the wraps on for 5 days, but when we removed them Kenai licked the wounds till they opened up again. Whenever we take the wrap off she does this, and even last night they were still open. There doesn't seem to be any infection, just open wounds. I imagine the stiches have disintegrated already and that's probably why the wounds are open.

Has anyone else experienced this, and how long should we expect the healing process to last? Is there anything we can do to speed things along?

 

[kim26]

I had Doc's front dewclaws removed at 4 1/2 months when he got neutered. We left the wraps on for 10 days and had to use the cone around his neck to keep him from getting the wraps off. The vet checked the incisions after 5 days and said that things "looked good" but the wraps had to stay on. Also, after 10 days, I had to take him back to the vet to get his stitches removed. Have you called the vet to ask about this?
Good luck!

 

[movistar]

Wow I have never heard of rear dew claws before.... cool!

We had a dane that had a toe issue He chewed his toenail to the quick then he kept licking it and it would never heal. We finally resorted to a sock and duct tape. It worked great! Gave it the time it needed to heal so it wasnt such a delicacy anymore I bet it would work in this situation. The only other option is "the cone" and those are a pain in the bottom.

Regarding the stitches I dont imagine they have disenegrated already, it seems a little soon. They are probably just licked or chewed off, a favorite thing for a dog with stitches to do Depending on the wound size and what your desire is for it to look like when its done healing will determine I imagine if stitches are needed again. Chances are it will heal on its own, but I would certainly call the vet and get their advice.

 

[kim26]

P.S. There isn't anything that I know of that can speed things along. I hated having that cone on Doc, so I sure did wish there would have been a quick fix! :?

Doc's incisions were about 3-4 inches long and would have taken even longer to heal if the wounds would have opened up and spread out.

 

[Clippart]

The breeder hadn't heard of rear dew claws either, which is why she didn't check for them! She checks all her pups, now, though!

I did talk to the vet, and he thought her licking the incisions was OK, too, and that they would eventually heal, even if they still bled a bit. When the wraps are on Kenai leaves them alone, so maybe another couple of days with the wraps on will help. We haven't used the cone, and I don't plan on it now.

Thanks for your help.

 

[kim26]

That's good that everything is all right and you won't have to use the cone. Sounds like your vet is much more relaxed than the vets around here. They really scare you into using the cone, and Doc and I hated it!

P.S. I looked at your photo album and Kenai sure is adorable!

 

[Clippart]

Thanks, kim! We think so too!

 

[KingstonTodd]

is it critical to get dew claws removed?

 

[Guest]

Todd,
I think dewclaws are removed to prevent them from being accidentally pulled off, especially if the dog is going to be a hunting dog and running through the woods. I read that it is very painful and traumatic to have them accidentally pulled off. Many dogs never have a problem with them. Bella still has hers, although the 'breeder' did dock her tail (She was a puppy rescue, so I do not know where she came from.)

 

[kim26]

KT, I don't think it's critical to get their dewclaws removed. I think it's a matter of choice. The dewclaws need trimming like the other nails and they can also catch on things and tear and bleed. They can also be uncomfortable if they tend to scratch you with them.

 

[dixiedi]

In 9 years of breeding, I have only had one puppy with a dewclaw on his hind leg. KT, if your doodle still has his dewclaws, I would advise leaving them. It is better to leave them than to take them off at an older age.

 

[movistar]

is it critical to get dew claws removed?

our vet in montana counsels to not remove them on an older dog because of infection and wound healing etc but they can rip them as an adult so I guess its 50/50 on what to do. They must have been needed at one time, but they tend to serve no purpose that I can think of. Most but not all breeders remove them at 3-5 days. That seems to work out really well.

 

[KingstonTodd]

Thanks everyone, your replies are appreciated. This forum is such a pleasant place to get information.

 

[Jac]

I want to add a little to this conversation...first, that removing dew claws is a debate that continues with breeders (and probably will forever!)
My vet told me that front dew claws don't need to be removed and agreed with me that they do serve a purpose (my dogs use them to scratch their ears, head and eyes) but if the puppy has back dew claws they should be removed because they can snag and get pulled off.
I have never had a pup with rear dew claws.
Dew claw removal should be done before the pup's 3rd day of life...it is much less of an ordeal...but I have heard of some breeders/vets who don't get enough of the claw and there are problems.
The e-collar (cone) helps to keep them from licking but they are now selling another type of collar that is not so uncomfortable and it isn't so big...it fits from the base of the ears to the bottom of the neck, and prevents bending the neck enough to reach places to lick...but doesn't cone out to bump into everything. If I ever need one, that's what I plan to use.