Why and when to remove dew claws? Is it too late?
Nathan Jr.
Thursday. They have not had their dew claws removed yet. Is it too late to
do so? I've heard that they can snag on something and tear loose, causing
great pain and possible infection to the dog. Can I still have it done? Is
this an indication that the pups have NOT been cared for correctly? They
have also NOT have any shots yet. The owner said that they waited to do the
8 week combination shots. What do you think?
Nathan Jr.
Stu West
> I am looking at purchasing a new lab puppy. The litter turned 6 weeks on
> Thursday. They have not had their dew claws removed yet. Is it too late to
> do so?
No, but more expensive, the longer you wait.
> I've heard that they can snag on something and tear loose, causing
> great pain and possible infection to the dog. Can I still have it done?
see above
> Is
> this an indication that the pups have NOT been cared for correctly?
No.
> They
> have also NOT have any shots yet. The owner said that they waited to do the
> 8 week combination shots. What do you think?
not particularly good. we start shots at 4 weeks and they get a shot every two
weeks after that, no matter what.
>
>
> Nathan Jr.
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Chris Barnes
Not having the dew claws removed is not necessarily a cause for concern.
*I* do it on my pups, but mostly because it's something that buyers
sometimes want. We have it done at 1 or 2 days old and our vet does the
entire litter at no extra cost (we have her check them all at that age
anyway).
Not having the shots at 4 weeks *IS* a cause for concern - enough that
it alone would be reason enough for me to eliminate them as a breeder I
would consider. Are the sire & dam OFA certified? Are they CERF
certified? Will the pups have their eyes checked by a veternary
optomologist at 8 weeks? And I haven't even begun asking about the
pedigree....
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UK_Rabbiter
Why a freebie?
Because he was already under the anaesthetic for his castration.
(not all vets will do it for free though)
I wanted them removing because he is constantly running through brambles, &
I didn't want him to snag them.
It's never too late, but the sooner the better if the dog is likely to tear
them off in-the-field.
A lot of people don't get the jabs done until 8 week old, I didn't with my
litter.
It also saves paperwork of the dogs being re-registered at a different vet.
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Kitty Tolson Carroll
pointers, terriers (my own dogs) get the dew claws caught in fences and
fabrics. I feel the extra expense is worth not having your dog panic with a
caught dew claw. A friend of mine got a mixed beagle from the pound. The dog
still had his dew claws. I recommended that they get the dew claws removed,
despite the extra cost. About two months later the dog got the dew claw caught
in the fence. His wife tried to get the dog loose and the panicked dog chewed
her hand so bad that she could not use it for months, and had substantial
medical bills. So, again my recommendation is: remove those dew claws!!!!
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Fshndgs428
Thursday. They have not had their dew claws removed yet. Is it too late to
do so? I've heard that they can snag on something and tear loose, causing
great pain and possible infection to the dog. Can I still have it done? Is
this an indication that the pups have NOT been cared for correctly? >>
Dogs don't have to have the front dewclaws removed. That fad was started by
people who show dogs and took them off so the front leg would look smoother.
The majority of dogs who have them live long and happy lives and never have a
problem. You just need to remember to clip them because the nails are not worn
down like the ones on the feet.
Sometimes a dog will have a dewclaw that sticks out way more than normal and in
that case, sometimes it can get snagged and torn but those dogs are in the
small minority.
Dogs do use their dewclaws to help hold items between their paws.
Many breeders feel that the dewclaw should be left on.
Bill
most serious Lab breeders do. Might save you a lot of grief.
Bill
had some shots. Sounds like the breeder is trying to cut cost or has very
little knowledge of breeding procedure. Pup may not have been properly
wormed. Take a stool sample with you when you visit the vet. Although I
always remove dew claws I have bought pups that never had them removed . I
never had a problem, but there is that possibilty. I would think it would
be somewhat painful at this age. You would have to balance that against the
possibilty of a snag. I am sure someone can write in and give a story of a
bad tear on dew claws. A lot of pointers run with them and never have any
trouble.
Derek Turner
<baxters.nospam.@eoni.com> wrote:
>I am looking at purchasing a new lab puppy. The litter turned 6 weeks on
>Thursday. They have not had their dew claws removed yet. Is it too late to
>do so?
from your e-mail I'm assuming that you are in the US so this might not
apply to you bet here goes anyway!
In UK docking can only legally be done in pups under 48hrs old, dewing
is done at the same time in e.g. spaniels
> I've heard that they can snag on something and tear loose, causing
>great pain and possible infection to the dog.
here in UK we NEVER dew labs, dews are part of breed standard.
spaniels are routinely docked and dewed in working dogs (I have one of
each). FWIW my labs have never had any problems with dews, IIWY I'd
leave them alone
> Can I still have it done?
yes, but whereas at less than 48hrs the bones have not developed and
it can be done with a sharp pair of scissors, without anaethsetic, at
that age it would need a general - expensive! I wouldn't bother.
> Is
>this an indication that the pups have NOT been cared for correctly?
no
> They
>have also NOT have any shots yet. The owner said that they waited to do the
>8 week combination shots. What do you think?
I think that at six weeks the pup has not a sufficiently-developed
immune system for the vaccine to work. Here in the UK we vaccinate at
8 and 12 weeks. New owner is responsible not breeder. May be different
stateside. Either way, nothing to worry about!
hth
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Derek Turner
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Corrie Cobb
have them
removed. The next safest age to go under anesthesia is 4-6 months of age and
it is usually very painful. If the dewclaws are connected to the bone of the
paw and not hanging loose they don't need to be removed. One of my dogs has
never had hers removed and I have had no problems. The main reason that dew
claws are removed is cosmetic. It is not for a medical reason. The breeder
may have decided not to have them removed because it is not necessary. When
it is done at 3 days of age they puppies are not under anesthesia. A pair of
scissors is used to just cut the toe off and then the skin is sutured or
glued with surgical glue. They puppies usually scream during the whole
process.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that vaccines
start between 6- 8 weeks of age depending on the vaccination status of the
bitch. And then every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks. Vaccinating a puppy more
that that can be dangerous to their health and a waste of money.
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/readytoadopt/prevcare.as
p
At the Animal hospital I work at we deworm the puppies at 10 days, 4
weeks,
and 8 weeks. The first set of vaccines are done at 8 weeks. And then every
30 days until 16 weeks of age. You can always request a official health
certificate. I live in Florida and there is pet lemon law requiring when and
what vaccines are to be given and requires a official certificate of
veterinary
inspection. Check into the laws for sale of puppies in your state.
Talk to the breeder's vet and ask the history on the breeder (how
well do
they take care of their other dogs) and talk to your own vet.
Corrie