Hi all,

I have fast running sighthounds!   I've always had their dewclaws removed as pups. I don't seem to be able to find a vet that will remove them with my new litter - with one vet I had to have a written 'permission' from a land owner to say that I owned working dogs! AND they want to do it under anaesthetic.

I'm slightly wondering about leaving them on this time, at the same time remembering the countless bloody occasions when my oldies that did have claws ripped them when running.  Any thoughts?

Actually there is no law to prevent a breeder or anyone else removing dewclaws only docking has to be done by a vet. 

So do you know a fellow breeder that used to do their own dews?

I’d phone round practices until you find someone experienced and willing to do it. Usually older vets are more willing: perhaps like you,having experienced the fairly major operation required to remove a virtually torn off dew claw from an adult dog.

There is no law that a vet has to remove dewclaws or that documentation has to be signed, anyone can remove dew claws.  But vets are getting very scared of doing it, because it has somehow gotten mixed up with the emotional response to docking. 

Like Brainless says, your best bet is to find another experienced breeder of a breed which commonly has dewclaws removed and see if they can come over and do it for you.  If they can show you what to do, you can do it next time.

In my own breed, I like to leave them on and have never had an issue.  But if you know that in your breed, dew claws cause problems then removing them now is probably kinder than a GA and surgery when the dog is older.

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/our-resources/media-centre/issue-statements/removal-of-dew-claws/ this is what the kc have to say on the subject .as brainless says it's quite legal but does need to be done very early if no sedation.  Doesn't help getting a vet to oblige I guess

If you cant find a local breeder can you find a vet who does tail docking as they are normally more wise to these things and be abke to do it without the need for stitches and anaesthetic if the pup is a few days old. Any older they will need to be sedated

Unfortunately once the litter is on the ground time runs out quickly....my mum has always done ours, as she learnt this & tail docking coming up for 59 years ago, at 2 or 3 days old. Like others have mentioned vets are getting more 'funny' about doing this since docking was banned. I truly believe better to have a moments pain at a few days old, rather than the potential to rip dew claws later in life.

Thank you all! great replies.

It was actually a vet who told me that it was illegal! and that you had to specify 'dewclaws vet removed' on any advert you made. The same vet whose receptionist very vocally announced that she couldn't imagine anyone wanting to cut a newborns thumbs off!!

I continued to phone vets today, mostly NO they didn't do it,  but was quoted £25 per pup by a vet that did my last litter - the majority of which grew back.  I'm sure I can find a dawg pal of olde to help me. It's good to know that it isn't illegal and what a very sensible statement by the Kennel Club! 

I truly believe better to have a moments pain at a few days old, rather than the potential to rip dew claws later in life.
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Totally agree Lexy! I'd be put off buying one of our breed with dewclaws on now - its such a messy painful injury.

Thanks everyone!

> I continued to phone vets today, mostly NO they didn't do it,  but was quoted £25 per pup by a vet that did my last litter - the majority of which grew back.

It seems the vet was inexperienced or else did the job halfheartedly. At times removing dewclaws is a messy business, if they are large and attached it is necessary to cut a "wedge" in the leg (as opposed to simply slice/scrub the claw off the surface) in order to remove them properly, else a piece of bone can be left and a chance of it growing back.

But cutting deep is not easy and not for the faint hearted, hence someone with experience is so much better - breeder or older vet.

Hi monkeyj, it was an experienced vet showing a trainee vet.  I was offered to be present but declined - way too squeamish! but I  should have.   The sad/awful thing was, that when I pointed out that one pup had a dewclaw growing back at 17 days he asked to have her back and took it off without anaesthetic - again  I wasnt present. No additional charge and she whimpered for the rest of the day

I didn't know there was a ban on removing them!!   Phone round other vets.   I had a friend who did her own and I helped once.   I have to say I'd FAR rather have a vet do this!!   Having said that, we stopped having them taken off our Basset puppies after years ago, losing one.   Neither my vet who did it (and confessed to hating doing it!) nor I realised this puppy wasn't doing as well as the others to the point that taking his dews off was the last straw for him.   Sadly.   Some say it makes for a neater looking foot on Bassets but it was really only done in the UK - Bassets overseas had theirs left on and in these days of exports, this was another reason for not doing this.   My Whippet had had her's taken off when we bought her however which is as well as she seems to grow her nails like crazy and I can never seem to get them back as far as I'd like.   Two less nails to cut is welcomed.

As long as it's done before 3 days of age, anyone over the age of 18 can do it. I assume you've assisted your vet do it in the past, so get a friend to hold each pup and do it yourself.

Facebook Post:

Shaun Latham says: We have been told by our vet that by law dewclaws can not be removed after puppy are 3 days old

ADDED REPLIES TO SHAUN LATHAM:

----- Richard Chellumbrun  That’s tosh Shaun. You can dock a puppy up to and including 5 days. OP...... FYI, not that I would personally, but anybody can remove dew claws, not only a vet.

------ Jan Bardey says:  Incorrect. The law says they must be done before the puppies' eyes are open; otherwise anaesthetic must be used.

Liz Swainston says:  Our vet did ours no problem

Removal of dewclaws can still be done by"lay" persons whilst puppies eyes have not opened after that it has to be a vet under GA, so I suggest Mr Latham's vet learns his Law. Especially the Veterinary Surgeon's Act !!!!

Schedule 1 of the regulations lists the removal of the dew claws of dogs as a permitted procedure. Schedule 9 goes on to clarify that anaesthetic must be administered except where the dog is a puppy whose eyes have not yet opened as per the Veterinary Surgeons Act. Therefore legislation in relation to dewclaws remains unchanged and a layperson or veterinary surgeon may continue to remove the dewclaws of puppies whose eyes have not yet opened.

There has to be a time limit on it, I mean someone ripping off the dew claws of an adult dog would be rightly prosecuted for animal abuse.  So at what age is it 'legal' up until???

I worry you might already have passed that point...?

I've heard it said by many that removing dew claws is harder on the pups than docking - and yet it was the docking that got banned and nothing done about dew claws.  Bonkers.

I think it is really important that if the claws are to be coming off it should be no later than 3 days old. We have always had the vet come to the house to remove the dew claws and check over the bitch and puppies at the same time.
It is vitally important that if a lay person is to remove the claws that they do it competently.

> and yet it was the docking that got banned and nothing done about dew claws.  Bonkers.

It's not really - I'd suggest that ripping a dewclaw (adult) is bound to be more likely than breaking a tail (amputation in the adult).   Done professionally, although it might be momentarily upsetting for a day/two day old puppy, they are usually quickly back with mum and nursing.  So for me, in breeds prone to rip these claws, I'd opt to have them removed.

Taking the dewclaws off should be done by at least 48 hours after birth.  Eyes start to open by around 10 days which, for me, is too long to leave taking the dewclaws off without causing undue distress (with no anaesthetic).

Facebook Replies:

Cheryl Hill says:  Does not require a vet to do it. Anyone can remove dew claws, with experience would be better and before the pups eyes open.

Suez Forsyth says:  Surely it would hurt the puppies without an anaesthetic ?

Rachel Savage says:  I leave mine as I realised how much the dog uses the claw.

Donna Connelly says:  I have had sight hounds for years, never remove their dew claws, never ripped them in the run

Emma Heslop says:  I think the dew claws are used far more than we realise and as such prefer to leave them on. I've only ever had issues with a rescue Terrier I had years ago who used to rip them off quite regularly, but he was quite thick which I assumed was the reason. I've never had a working dog damage them.

Facebook Replies:

Emma Towns says: I leave fronts but take floppy back ones off

Sue Parr says: I've always removed few claw on GSPs but we have 3 working Bracchi Italiani that have dew claws and have not had any issues. What we have seen in them being used to climb river banks, so for me I woukd leave them on