Dew Claw removal

[angee]

My question is, shoul a Dane pup come with dew claws already removed or am I expecting too much? In the show ring, is it required?

[Shelley]

Dew claws are removed at 3 - 4 days of age if desired. It is not required in the show ring. Some breeders remove them, some don't.

[mp]

I would expect it on a pup of moderate or above price. Dew claws, in my experience, are a real nuisance. My first Dane still had his and injured himself two or three times catching them on fences and such. mp

[ekane]

what IS a dew claw...is it the little thumb claw?? i am asking bc bogart has his and isnt a problem yet.

[Kramers mom]

Yes, ekane.

...Ruth & Kramer

[saharadane]

Do any of you breeders remove the dew claws yourself?

Do you figure having the Vet do it also gives the Vet the opportunity to check out the pups? Do you worry about exposing the new pups to something at the Vet's office or stressing out the Mom?

[HKDanes]

>Do any of you breeders remove the dew claws yourself?

I have done it myself and have had the vet do it.

>Do you figure having the Vet do it also gives the Vet the
>opportunity to check out the pups?

Yes.

Do you worry about
>exposing the new pups to something at the Vet's office or
>stressing out the Mom?

No. Mom's immunity (if she has been properly taken care of) is in place. The puppies are carried in a box and put on a washed surface. Mom goes for a ride in the car and takes a nap...Jo

[Carolyn]

I used to have the vet remove dew claws but now I do it myself. I personally didnt like the idea of "boxing" up the pups, putting mom in the car and taking them to the vet at 2 days old. It is inconvenient, exposes the puppies to things out of my control and is stressing to the mom (especially if it is her first litter).

I like the look of a nice clean leg plus the fact that I have one less nail to clip! I watched my vet do it a couple years ago, figured it wasnt that difficult and have since done it myself. There is very very little blood (maybe a drop), one small whine and over in seconds. Also this way, Mom stays in the whelping box, taking care of the rest of the litter, while I sneak one away and have it back (and nursing) within minutes, with no risk of exposing them to anything at a vets office.
And since I have been doing my own, there is only a tiny bald spot from where the dew claw was.
As far as the vet looking over the pups, there isnt much they can tell at 2 days old----at least nothing that I wouldnt have already noticed <G>!
Carolyn
Divine Acres Great Danes

[Angela]

I AM NO EXPERT!
but, working in an animal clinic (part-time, also a student) I have seen alot of dogs come in with torn or ripped dew claws that have to be removed and it is very expensive, ESPECIALLY compared to what it would have cost the breeder to do it at 2-3 days old.
I would expect it from a decent breeder, plus, it does look much more attractive without it.


Angela
Magnus (heavilly marked harlequin masterpiece), Moses (black and silver Miniature Schnauzer darling)

[HKDanes]

Actually, when I did my own dew claws we could not get far enough away from the Moms. They hear everything and I had frantic Moms on my hands wanting to know where that puppy was and why it was crying. This is why I now choose to totally separate everyone. Also, I like to have the vet look for umbilical hernias at this age in order to see what I have to watch. I haven't had any lately but it is reassuring to know. JMO...Jo

[Katyes Mom]

Just curious on peoples opinions...
My 9 month old that I am getting still has her Dew claws. Should I get them removed?( by the Vet of course), or just leave them alone, and hope that they never get torn? Since she is spayed and cropped already, I kind of think it is a risk to put her under anesthesia for this( I assume they would), so thats why I kind of want to just leave them alone, but also dont want her to tear them, so I am asking all of you "Seasoned" Dane owners your opinions also......
Please and Thanks ahead of time..
Jenn

[Zoeys Mom]

I wouldn't have them removed.

[PeverettandPhoenix]

Both of mine still have theirs and I have never had a problem with them. I guess we are lucky, but I wouldn't put her through the extra surgery if it were my choice.

[ckallay]

Most vets will refuse to remove a dew claw once the puppy is older, unless it is medically necessary. Isis has her, and Fenway does not. The only difference I've noticed is that Isis will scratch my neck when she is giving hugs, and Fenway doesn't.

Christina Kallay
http://www.mid-atlanticdanerescue.com

[Seri]

As a groomer, I've seen many dogs come in with torn dewclaws, or dewclaws so long they curl into the pad. I would never suggest putting a dog under just to remove dewclaws unless they get torn, but if being put under for another reason, it's certainly something to think about doing. Torn dewclaws are horribly painful and bleed like you wouldn't believe.

If you don't have them removed, keep them clipped as short as possible, and file the rough edges. Dewclaw nails tend to be more brittle because of the lack of "use" on them (other nails seem to be strenghthed by exposure to hard walking surfaces) so they have more chance of splitting or leaving behind jagged edges when you clip them, thus higher chance they will get caught on something and tear. I clip Emma's so often that the quick is extremely short and they are nearly down to stubs, which is great, its almost like it isn't there.

[kahluadanes]

I realy wish I'ld had Hailey's removed while she was being spayed. They are nothing but trouble.

Dale

[mariechen45]

I thought maybe you could tell me, when is it okay to start clipping your puppies toenails? I have heard that you are not supposed to do it when they are too young. Let me know something.
:7