Ceara, I have no desire to argue with you, its pointless. Please get over it and move on.

Thanks

This thread never went off topic which is why I'm personally confused about the initial outburst.

Anyway, I was going to get Kale's front dewies removed during his neuter as well, but they wanted to charge me like $700! I was like "WTF! hell no!" i might get them removed later on, but right now they're fine. They have never gotten caught on anything and they don't bother him, I just have to keep them trimmed lol

Our rescue has both of his rear dewclaws. They're big and flop around. I honestly don't think he even knows they are there! I'm paranoid that he's going to snag them on the crusty/icy snow we get this time of year, or rip them off when he gets out and runs through the woods chasing birds. Also, the nails on the rear dewclaws grow faster (sort of....because they don't contact the ground, they don't get any wear) so you have to trim them much more often than the nails on their paws.

Our vet was very concerned/irritated that they weren't removed as whoever had him as a pup had 2 opportunities to get them removed: at a few days old, and when he was neutered. However, our vet also said that it wasn't really 'worth it' for him to have to go under anethstesia JUST to get them removed. If he EVER needs a procedure done and they have to knock him out, they're definately coming off. They don't serve a purpose, and are only leaving the door for injury open. Plus, when they're full-grown, they're ugly.

I fostered a Husky/Aussie mix who had rear dew claws... While he was with me he ripped them up a few times and did it a few times in his new home as well. They got them removed about 6-8 months ago.

If it were my dog and they were only hanging on by skin on the rear i'd have them removed when I neutered the dog.

While no operation or removing of parts is a nice thing to do... after dealing with all of Raleighs problems with them just from running and playing normally I think that outweighs whatever issue I would have with a voluntary surgery. Raleigh was neutered already so they had them removed in a separate surgery.

paleobones wrote:

Hi all, just want to get some opinions from you about Raven's dew claw. If she was your dog would you have it removed?

My sibe's rear dew claws look just like Ravens and my sibe also has all four of his dew claws.

I've asked my vets and they have never recommended having them removed and I am certainly not going to have him put under just for that. My sibe is 6.5 years old and he's had all 4 dew claws his entire life. My sibe is NOT a working dog, he is a companion who walks every day, is always hiking in wooded areas, mountains, and rough terrain from snow to thick brush...he's been through it all and in all his years has NEVER had even a minor problem with his dew claws getting caught, stuck, or torn. And IF I ever were to decide to do any "working" with him I would wrap them up as advised for working dogs. I think the rear dew claws being so flexible helps keep them from getting caught on stuff. I honestly worry more about the front dew claws than I ever do about the rear since the front dew claws don't have hardly any give to them.

So I'm basing my personal opinion off of the combination of my experience and my vets' advice and would not have them removed. I'm not giving advice, just stating my position and opinion on it.

Edited to add: My personal thoughts above are keeping in mind that my sibe was adopted as an adult, not a puppy. Going into the world of make believe (because I would never buy a puppy with so many sibes in shelters and rescues needing homes), but let's imagine I did opt purchase a puppy from a breeder I would choose to have the rear dew claws removed shortly after birth and if not then I would probably have them removed at the time of their spay/neuter. Neither was an option for me with my adoptee so I am not for having it done after the fact...just to clarify my position on it.

Thanks for the responses.

Jack came with all his removed, guess it was done at birth or neuter, i have no idea. Sierra has her front ones and her back must have been removed at some point in her life, her front dews are the only nails i have to clip as the rest get worn down waking. depending on how ravens are attached if just skin, i would remove, if in the bone i would tape them up like Val said and just make sure they are not hanging out while "working" so i guess its up to you and what your vet thinks.