Dew Claws

[KellyJean]

Ok, I need some opinions.

Sam had his dew claws removed at 3 days old. Since then, I've found a dew claw, or rather part of one. I'm unsure if they pulled them incompletely or if the one grew back, as I've heard that they can do. It's small, on his right front. The other three are completly absent.

He's being neutered in about 6 weeks, and I'm wondering if you would have them try to remove this one again while he is under for that surgery, or if you would leave it be. What are the advantages (other than having him be without it) and the disadvantages (other than the pain) to each?

Kelly

[Blaze]

Lilly has her dewclaws still. I do worry that nails will catch on something and be torn off and I know if this happened it could cause injury to her. But I think given the choice I wouldn't get them removed. They don't get caught on things easily and they don't bother her. However if Sam is getting neutered anyway then it couldn't hurt to get them done at the same time if thats what you want. I think it depends on how Sam is with them. If you are really worried that it will get caught then it would be better to get it removed. So in answer to your question I'd have my vet examine it, and do whatever they recommend.

[dobermom]

I think I would have the Vet take a look at it.

[Dax]

If the parents still had thier dew claws with no problems, the pups might not have to have them removed. I would trust my vet to advise me.

[comfort80]

Do Westies Have Dewclaws? Where Do I Look?

[AussiesCollies]

My dogs don't have a problem with their declaws, but I do keep an eye on them. If he only has part of one left, I would just leave it be. Especially if there is no nail there that could possibly get caught on something.

[Blaze]

All dogs are born with them but some puppies get them removed at a few days old so your westie may not have any. You look next to the normal claws and there should be 4 without the dew claw and 5 with it. I actually got Lilly's puppies dew claws removed last time and I felt so horrible that I'm not getting it done to this litter. The difference with pups getting them removed is that they don't need surgery unlike older dogs.
Anyway Lilly has 4 and I think some dogs might only have 2.

[GretaJack]

Currently all dogs are born with front dews, but not all dogs are born with back dews. I actually never knew that dogs could have back dews until I was searching for my own dog as an adult 5 years ago.

Kelly, definitely go with vet recommendation on this one. Being that the dews were removed, I would be concerned about re-invading that area. Now, Jack and Tanner have visible scars from their dew claw removals and Tanner's feel lumpy. Jack's are smooth. Greta still has dews. Ask your vet what s/he thinks about what is actually there and then ask for the pro's and con's for removing or leaving what is there.

[Leslie]

I've never had the dew claws removed on any of my dogs. I keep them clipped short just as I do with their claws. I haven't had any problems with them but I do have a friend who's dog tore his and it bleed profusely. Had to have it removed. I'd go with the vet recommendation.

[BabyElephant]

I'd go with the vet as well. Our vets don't routinely recommend dew claw removal, they said out of all the thousands of appointments with dogs they have every year, only about 4 or 5 of them are because of dew claw problems.

Poppy still has both her front dew claws and I clip them along with her others.