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GAH - dew claw pointing the wrong way!!

  • 27-10-2012 04:43PM
    #1
    tk123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,999 ✭✭✭✭


    Just being drying my retriever off (after a swim) and noticed that his dew claw is sticking out at a right angle :eek: I can feel and edge where it should be attached if that makes sense and it's painful for him when I touch it. Our vet is closed but open tomorrow so I'll be calling first thing. In the meantime I'm going to bandage it up and try and cushion a bit for fear of him tearing it. For anyone who's had this happen what will happen at the vets - do they just clip it off there and then?! God I feel like a tool now celebrating his one year post-OP birthday this week! :( The vet we normally see doesn't work weekends so he's going to be terrified! :(


Comments

  • #2
    SillyMangoX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,007 ✭✭✭SillyMangoX


    tk123 wrote: »
    Just being drying my retriever off (after a swim) and noticed that his dew claw is sticking out at a right angle :eek: I can feel and edge where it should be attached if that makes sense and it's painful for him when I touch it. Our vet is closed but open tomorrow so I'll be calling first thing. In the meantime I'm going to bandage it up and try and cushion a bit for fear of him tearing it. For anyone who's had this happen what will happen at the vets - do they just clip it off there and then?! God I feel like a tool now celebrating his one year post-OP birthday this week! :( The vet we normally see doesn't work weekends so he's going to be terrified! :(

    It might just be dislocated, I've only ever seen a dewclaw snipped once because it was chronically getting stuck in stuff. They may just put on a bit of a splint and hope it heals. If you don't want them to take it off make sure you specify it though!


  • #3
    tk123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,999 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    Thanks! It was painful for him when I bandaged it :( - fast asleep now though! Dreading going in because they're not all as understanding as our usual vet - he was treated roughly by a vet somewhere else so is very wary/frightened but she's very patient with him etc.


  • #4
    boomerang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,189 ✭✭✭boomerang


    They might remove the dew claw altogether TK if the nail is broken through the quick. It only takes a few seconds and one or two stitches. Poor laddy but if they go down that road they'll do it under anaesthetic.

    ETA: My own lady had prominent dew claws so the vet whipped them off at the same she was being spayed. It didn't knock a bother out of her, she just had a little bandage and vet wrap on each lower leg. It really wasn't a big deal at all.


  • #5
    tk123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,999 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    Well the nail was cracked so the vet cut it back! He has a bandage which should be ok to come off on Tues. So glad I spotted it before it managed to get caught in something at home and break. The vet said I did a great job bandaging it so if the one he got today gets wet she's happy for me to redress it myself. ;) He cut himself when he was 1 and I bought booties on zooplus just to have in case - very funny watching him walking out doing a jig :pac::P

    (watching TV:rolleyes:)
    226116.JPG


  • #6
    mymo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭mymo


    My fella did something to his a while ago, it was sticking out and he was whinging, I tried to feel it (he's very hairy so hard to see) and he pulled back and I pushed it back into place by accident.
    He whinged for a sec, licked it, and off he went. Saw him lick it a couple of evenings but as there was no blood and he seemed fine with me looking at it, I figured it was ok.
    No probs since then with it, I did ask vet and he said it seemed fine, just to keep it trimmed well.
    Think that was the last bank hols, always the way:rolleyes:


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  • #7
    tk123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,999 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    mymo wrote: »
    Think that was the last bank hols, always the way:rolleyes:

    Yep and always when it's wet out!:rolleyes:


  • #8
    carav10
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 218 ✭✭carav10


    I'm feeling your frustration on this one. My 8mth pup is going through her bratty adolescence stage & got into a fight with my other dog last night. As a result, her dew claw appears to have come away from
    the quick. Doesn't seem to be bothering her too much, a bit of a lick here & there. Considering a visit to the vet Tuesday morning but will see how she goes. I don't want it to remain sticking out as soon as she hits the heather etc. I've a funny feeling she snagged her dew claw first & blamed the other one who was close by!


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