When To Remove Dew Claws On Lab Puppies

Q. I know that some breeders remove dewclaws on puppies, and others leave them. Is there a good reason to have this procedure done on our new puppy? A. Dewclaws are the canine digit that’s the equivalent of the human thumb, although “equivalent” is pushing that word to the limits of its definition.

When to remove dew claws on lab puppies. I remove my dewclaws. Its a personal choice. I've had a dew claw rip off, and it changed the behavior of the dog. I visited a litter of puppies this weekend that didn't have their dews removed and a puppy got his dew ripped while I was there, 4 weeks old. It is very common in working spaniels to remove the dew claws at the same time the puppies are docked, when they are about three days old. I have five spaniels, four have had their dew claws removed. They have no problems holding a Kong or bones and one is extraordinary good at opening doors and gates by hooking his paw around them. Why I will never remove dew claws from my puppies.... Page 1 of 4 1 2 3... Last. Jump to page:. I do not remove dew claws either. I feel it is barbaric.. By pisces0318 in forum Lab Chat Replies: 10 Last Post: 01-11-2011, 02:34 PM. Dew Claws. By Scoper50 in forum Lab Chat Granted, removal of dew claws in puppies is a lot less complex than it is in adult dogs, but it’s still going to require surgery done under anesthesia. With puppies, it’s done when the bones and tissue are still soft, so it’s easier.. The vet will use surgical scissors to remove the toe. Stitching. Once the toe has been removed, the.

One of the puppies became an all-breed BIS winner even with dew claws. More and more breeders are choosing not to remove them. I mention the BIS because some breeders believe they cannot win in the show ring or will be penalized somehow if their dog has dew claws. (Rear dew claws are a show ring DQ in some breeds..) In some breeds, dog dewclaws may be removed to give the leg a smoother look. The risk of dewclaw injury also may prompt dewclaw removal. Dewclaws are unnecessary toes on the backs of dogs’ legs. If you purchased a puppy from a reputable breeder, dewclaw removal may have been done when the dog was three […] Usually the dewclaws are removed when puppies are only a few days old.. While painful, it's not an especially traumatic event, as it would be later in life. For dogs that do the dew, it's important to trim the claws regularly to help prevent tearing and the possibility of the dewclaw growing into the footpad. Many breeders choose to remove dew claws on puppies in the first week of life — because soon after birth the dew claws are more like fingernails than appendages. At that young age, dog dew claws can be removed relatively easily and no stitches are required. Our Decision Regarding Our Dog’s Rear Dew Claws

Dew claws can be removed in older dogs but it is a more costly and painful procedure. Many vets will only remove dew claws in adult dogs for medical, rather than cosmetic, reasons. If you have an older dog, contact your veterinarian to discuss the reasons for or against removal of the dew claws and the cost of the procedure which must be done. The fact is that dew claws on the front legs are attached to functioning tendons. The tendons are attached to muscles. So, if you remove the dew claws, there will be muscles in your dog’s legs that will atrophy due to lack of use. The dew claws actually work to prevent excessive torque on the leg. Some Labrador breeders – especially the ones breeding field Labradors – remove the dewclaws of their litter at a very young age. So if you can’t see your Lab’s, it means the breeder you got your Lab from removed. However, opinions about dewclaw removal vary. Most puppies aren’t brought to a vet when they’re 3 days old, so most puppies with rear dewclaws are older when the question of removing the dewclaws comes up. If the puppy is brought in to be spayed or neutered, rear dewclaw removal can take place at that time.

It is more common for veterinarians to remove loosely attached double or rear dewclaws to prevent injury. The actual incidence of these types of injuries is still quite low, so the value of these surgeries is up for debate. Typically the surgery is scheduled at the same time the dog is being spayed or neutered (while it is anesthetized). I have a new litter of lab puppies. Born Tues night. I took them to the vet on Friday to have their dew claws removed and mom checked to be sure she was not retaining anything and they charged me $270 … read more Even my show dogs have their dew claws, so I don’t even do it for “cosmetic reasons”, as God did intend this claw to be there…we don’t just remove it unless a particular dog has some kind of problem with its dew claws. The dew claw is a dog’s thumb. Watch one play with a toy or chew a bone sometimes, they use it all the time, it is. Removal of dew claws can cause carpal arthritis and injuries to other joints. 2. Useful during movement. The dew claws offer extra support to your Lab’s legs when your dog needs to turn quickly while running at a high speed. Those dew claws provide balance while your Lab is running and keeps the wrist joints stable. 3. Helpful in holding objects