We just adopted a 10 month old pointer mix from a shelter. 3 out of 4 dew claws had been removed and the one left is sort of hanging off to the side and long (all blood vessel so no way to trim). He will be going to the vet Tuesday and I suspect the toe and claw will need to me surgically removed. I've heard this is usually done when pups are just a week or so old. Has anyone's dog had this surgery when it was full grown? Our doggy is about 60 pounds!
Dew claw removal in 10 month old
- Thread starter lippylulu
- Start date
I know a number of dogs who have had it done during s/n surgery at between 6 and 12 months of age. From their experiences it's much like any surgery - anesthesia, watching the wound, preventing licking, etc.
It does seem like some dogs do worry the surgical site more than a s/n incision so you'll have to be able to prevent the dog from reaching the spot, but they heal up pretty quick, especially if the dew claw is one of the floppy ones vs attached to bone.
It does seem like some dogs do worry the surgical site more than a s/n incision so you'll have to be able to prevent the dog from reaching the spot, but they heal up pretty quick, especially if the dew claw is one of the floppy ones vs attached to bone.
already neutered
He has been neutered. The dew claw seems to be just flopping off to the side attached to some sort of structure (perhaps a small toe or bone---I can't tell). It does not look safe to me. I am surprised the animal shelter didn't take care of it but he had been rescued with a large group from a puppy mill and had a respitory infection so maybe they figured this should wait. I just can't imagine why a mutt was at a puppy mill or why he would have one dew claw on a back leg. I guess there is a lot about him we'll never know give his history.
He's such a scared boy and I hate to put him through anything right now. I am also worried about hip dyplasia because he seems to walk funny, but maybe this is all due to his puppy mill history. I would think that if he had hip dysplasia the shelter would have known this since he did have medical care and they are a respected shelter (North Shore Animal League). Guess I will know more when I bring hi to my vet Tuesday.
He has been neutered. The dew claw seems to be just flopping off to the side attached to some sort of structure (perhaps a small toe or bone---I can't tell). It does not look safe to me. I am surprised the animal shelter didn't take care of it but he had been rescued with a large group from a puppy mill and had a respitory infection so maybe they figured this should wait. I just can't imagine why a mutt was at a puppy mill or why he would have one dew claw on a back leg. I guess there is a lot about him we'll never know give his history.
He's such a scared boy and I hate to put him through anything right now. I am also worried about hip dyplasia because he seems to walk funny, but maybe this is all due to his puppy mill history. I would think that if he had hip dysplasia the shelter would have known this since he did have medical care and they are a respected shelter (North Shore Animal League). Guess I will know more when I bring hi to my vet Tuesday.
They should have given you some sort of record of what vet care he had at the shelter so that you would have some history to give to your vet. If they did check for hip dysplasia they would have that on record. I'd suggest you ask them if you didn't get anything like this.
It's very unlikely, though, that they did check for hip dysplasia. Most shelter check-ups only check for most obvious illnesses and injuries - broken bones, respiratory infections, etc. - they don't have time or resources to diagnose or care for non-life-threatening illnesses. The dew claw, for example, is annoying but there is no need for it to be removed; that's why the shelter didn't worry about it. He probably only has one because the other got torn off sometime in his previous life. Hip dysplasia is usually diagnosed via an xray - and the dog has to be sedated - and shelters don't have the resources to do this kind of procedure for a non-life-threatening illness.
Sounds like your dog's had a difficult life, though. He sure is lucky to have found you! Congrats, and good luck!
It's very unlikely, though, that they did check for hip dysplasia. Most shelter check-ups only check for most obvious illnesses and injuries - broken bones, respiratory infections, etc. - they don't have time or resources to diagnose or care for non-life-threatening illnesses. The dew claw, for example, is annoying but there is no need for it to be removed; that's why the shelter didn't worry about it. He probably only has one because the other got torn off sometime in his previous life. Hip dysplasia is usually diagnosed via an xray - and the dog has to be sedated - and shelters don't have the resources to do this kind of procedure for a non-life-threatening illness.
Sounds like your dog's had a difficult life, though. He sure is lucky to have found you! Congrats, and good luck!
