Dewclaw question.

[Square Eye]

This pup is 7 weeks old, when should I have the dewclaws removed?
It's been a very long time since I had a pup to deal with.

TIA!
Tom

[DiggityDogs]

The dew claws are usually removed when they're only a few days old, but it can be done later. The earlier the better, though, as the longer those bones have to grow and develop the longer it will take him to recover. I would call your vet if I were you and ask them what age they recommend.

[blueismyboy]

I work at a pet store, and we have a vet next door. My beagle pup had sutures from a hernia when he first came to the store. Because of this it was best that I waited until he's 6 months to get neutered. Usually you should do this btwn ages 4-6months. Anyway, when you take your pup to get spayed/neutered...they will remove the dew claws. It is the best time because they will already be undergoing anesthesia.

[DiggityDogs]

Well, from the standpoint of having to be under anesthesia again it's a good time to have it done, but the recovery on the dewclaws will be faster if it's done earlier. At 6 months the bones will be much more developed and it's harder to remove it. If it were me I would call your vet and ask them how they feel about removing the dew claws asap. Your vet may decide to wait until 6 months-- but from my experience, it's easier when done earlier, IMO.

[vonissk]

Generally dew claws are done when the pups are about 3 days old. That's when I do mine and yes I do them myself. But I would wait until your puppy is neutered now and get them done then.

[SmoothCollieluver]

How do you do them you self? I understand that it's not hard. I have seen it done but I don't know that I could do it myself.

[vonissk]

What I do is take the dew claw and pull it out away from the foot and take a pair of sharp manicure scissors and cut almost into the foot--like angling toward the foot and then snip. The reason you want to angle toward the foot is to get into the joint--this is hard to explain and not sure if I used the right terminology there--and therefore it will be smooth and not leave a place there for the dewclaw to grow back. My grandfather was a breeder of pointers and this is how he taught me. Then I dab a little antibiotic cream. After that the mom keeps it clean by licking it. Usually they only cry for a few seconds and then go right back to sleep.

[aboot99]

I hope you don't plan on attempting to remove the dew claws on your 7 week old puppy. I work at a vet and do the surgury with the doctor. Wait until the pup is ready for neutering and have the doctor do it. They usually might put in a suture because the dew claw is larger and more ossified at that point. Also, the puppy will be under anesthesia and treated post op with pain medication for neuter as well as the dew claw removal. Its much more tolerable to do it then. I plan on doing my pups dew claws at neuter time as well!

[Sibe]

:eek: Have dew claws done by the vet! When the pup is 6 and 7 mos. old, there is far more bone involved. You risk not only bleeding out and pain, but infection.

In fact at that age I wouldn't bother with it. The healing is more lengthy than the spaying and neutering. This surgery requires sutures. In a couple days after the surgery the dog will be itching and biting at these wounds. You need to use the cone/E collar to keep the dogs out of those wounds.

Infection is something to watch for, esp with the incision going to the bone. You need antibiotics if the dog gets at it, removing sutures/new sutures or sterile dsgs to be done, or there is signs of infection.

[Veruca's Mommy]

When I made Veruca spaying appointment, I asked about the dewclaw being removed. The person on the other end of the phone had no clue and said she didnt think they did that. Veruca was my first dog (besides dogs I had growing up) so I just figured they were right...Dang it. Blah. Just thought I'd rant...

P.S. I dont go to that vet anymore

[Pitbull]

I work at an animal hospital that is the only animal hospital that offers dew claw removal and we do it like within a week of the puppy being born the reason for this is because its less trauma on them and it doesnt require anastecia to perform it cause theyre to young to remember it happening