Dew claw issues - vet question

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2012-09-23 9:29 PM

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Elite
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Reno
Subject: Dew claw issues - vet question
I have a border collie - not pure bred, but She was from a ranch and comes from real herding stock. Her job here in town is chasing balls or frisbees at the park. Twice a day. She will be 5 yo in December. Every 4-6 months, her zigging, zagging, and jumping for the ball and frisbee leave her with a dew claw sticking out at a right angle. She is then tender and limpy - very sad to seey. I wash her up, put some neo sporin on it, give her a rymidal, stay away from the park and it comes off in a few days from her chewing on it. She hates the stay away from the park thing. Her nails are not long - I took her somewhere to get them trimmed, thinking she would be less likely to tear them if they were shorter, and the tech said they didn't need trimming.

Q1: Should I be doing anything different when this happens?
Q2: do adult dogs ever go in for dew claw removal? Would it affect her once they healed?
Q3: is there something else I should be asking my vet about this?

2012-09-23 10:50 PM
in reply to: #4424407

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Subject: RE: Dew claw issues - vet question

bootygirl - 2012-09-23 7:29 PM I have a border collie - not pure bred, but She was from a ranch and comes from real herding stock. Her job here in town is chasing balls or frisbees at the park. Twice a day. She will be 5 yo in December. Every 4-6 months, her zigging, zagging, and jumping for the ball and frisbee leave her with a dew claw sticking out at a right angle. She is then tender and limpy - very sad to seey. I wash her up, put some neo sporin on it, give her a rymidal, stay away from the park and it comes off in a few days from her chewing on it. She hates the stay away from the park thing. Her nails are not long - I took her somewhere to get them trimmed, thinking she would be less likely to tear them if they were shorter, and the tech said they didn't need trimming. Q1: Should I be doing anything different when this happens? Q2: do adult dogs ever go in for dew claw removal? Would it affect her once they healed? Q3: is there something else I should be asking my vet about this?

Hi there--not a vet, but a vet tech.

Q1.  If it is working, I say keep doing it.  The only issue is that a broken nail can, in rare instances, result in an infection in the bone.  If the foot becomes red sore, swollen, have her seen.  It is best if they don't chew on it as well, so you should try and keep her from doing that, especially if you are putting a medication on there.

Q2.  Yes and no.  Usually they are removed at spay or neuter, but if they are continuously causing a problem, they can be removed.  This is generally only on the back though.  I am assuming we are talking about her front nails.  When they are really 'floppy' (as they often are in the back), there is just skin holding them on, so it is a relatively simple surgery.  Usually on the front, there is a bony attachment.  For that reason, it is generally a very last resort to remove them. 

Q3. I wonder if you could learn how to put on a simple bandage around her dewclaws to help keep them from catching?  Not sure it would be worth it to do every time if it only happens a couple times a year though...

I had a border collie cross for 12 years--they are great dogs, but man, they don't care about much else when there is a ball or frisbee around!  My guy once ripped the carp out of his pads chasing a ball.  I only realized what had happened when we stopped playing and were walking back to the car--he kept stopping to lick his feet.  We had been playing for a good 45 minutes with no signs of discomfort...  Good luck with your girl!

2012-09-24 12:46 PM
in reply to: #4424407

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Subject: RE: Dew claw issues - vet question
My last dog had her dewclaws removed. Pretty simple surgery from what I remember. She was there overnight, was a bit groggy when she got home for the rest of the day. Was fine the next day. We were told to keep her from jumping off anything for a few days. Within the week she was fine, never saw any ill effects afterwards.
2012-09-24 8:09 PM
in reply to: #4424407

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Elite
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Reno
Subject: RE: Dew claw issues - vet question
I took her in and the vet cut this claw away - she said it was good I brought her in as it was split
"Deep" and the risk of infection was high. She is bandaged up but obviously already more comfortable. In 3 weeks we scheduled to have them removed.

But hey - less than 24 hours to drop to page 2?! Coj must be hoppin.
2012-09-24 9:35 PM
in reply to: #4425809

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Subject: RE: Dew claw issues - vet question

bootygirl - 2012-09-24 6:09 PM I took her in and the vet cut this claw away - she said it was good I brought her in as it was split
"Deep" and the risk of infection was high. She is bandaged up but obviously already more comfortable. In 3 weeks we scheduled to have them removed.

But hey - less than 24 hours to drop to page 2?! Coj must be hoppin.

Glad you had her seen and that a decision has been made .  Good luck with the surgery!

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