Dew Claw Removal of Pups

DarrinG · Post by **DarrinG** » Sun Sep 28, 2003 3:27 pm

Doc S or whoever can answer:

Is there any step-by-step guide to removing dew claws from pups anywhere on the net?? Or would someone who knows post the procedure? I wanna make sure it is done right with my next pups.

Thanks in advance!!

S.R.Patch · Post by **S.R.Patch** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 12:43 pm

Don't know what you could do wrong, unless you wait to long to do it or don't get it nipped close & even with the leg.
We take them off(front and if there are any on the rear also)with a pair of toe nail clippers, at 3 days old. The bone is still soft and the bleeding will be little. We keep a powder of Blood Stop on hand if we have one who bleeds more than the others, most, when put back with the bitch will be licked by her and this will clean and help stop the bleeding, if not, we take a Q-tip and apply the Blood Stop to the cut, then put them back to suckle on the bitch, in a week, you will hardly see the spot.

Best of luck...Patch

Vickie · Post by **Vickie** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 1:00 pm

Superglue works great too! The last time I did pups I used small curved clamps (mosquito clamps). Clamp it on the claw, flick the toenail off, and hold it there for a minute or two and there isn't much bleeding at all. A little dab of superglue and you're all set. Just hold the foot away from the body until the glue is dried.

The clamp is a trick Dr. Risley in West Branch showed me. I have also learned to leave all the pups out with mom in the garage and only bring one pup in the house at a time. Mom doesn't get quite so upset. I try to get them done close to two days old. Much over that and you get more bleeding.

DarrinG · Post by **DarrinG** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 1:25 pm

Patch, are you talking about using the dog nail clippers? I'm assuming that you just nip the dew claw flesh off right up next to the leg, correct?

S.R.Patch · Post by **S.R.Patch** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 10:05 pm

No, sorry if I wasn't clear. We use the large type human toe nail cliper. My favorite is a older set that had been used for the intended purpose for some time. They are not so sharp and do more of a nipping than a cutting and they seems to bleed less by the edges having more of a pinch off to them. I just dip them in disinfectant and make the nips where they should be along side the leg. Two people do best at the job and you need to get flush with the leg when you make the nip.

Best of luck...Patch