Dew Claw Removal - wouldl you ask for it??

[RandomMess]

Ddog is vet phobic following several visits when she has hurt her dew claw.

Months of weekly socialisation at the Vets where ddog will go into the nurses room and eat treats, and tolerate being stoked by nurse with tail tucked under

She has hurt her dew claw yet again, she will be traumatised having it attended to (soil and pee herself again no doubt). How horrific would it be to her if I insist they knock her out and remove it completely and will the insurance cover it????

She gets very agitated if we try and touch her claws when she is happy and relaxed at home, if I get the clippers out she is crying and whimpering before even getting near enough to cut - she is really that terrified.

[mineofuselessinformation]

If you think she's likely to injure it again (and it sounds to me like she would), yes, get it over and done with and get them all taken off. Ask the vet for some tablets that will sedate her / make her calm (dog equivalent of Valium?) before you take her in.

[NeedACleverNN]

I was going to come on and say no chance. Dogs do use their dew claws when holding things like bones but under your circumstances actually yes I would.

I also think some dogs do need their tail docking. Boxers for example are terrible for hitting their tail on things and causing it to split open

[Wolfiefan]

I too came on to say no chance! But if the alternative is repeated injuries that the dog finds very painful and stressful then worth a chat with the vet?

[CMOTDibbler]

Yes, I would based on the repeated injuries. My ddog1 doesn't have any as they had been partially removed as a pup (probably with a penknife, he was bred to be a hare courser) and had them fully removed when he was neutered. Doesn't seem to impede him in any way

[RandomMess]

This is the 4th time in 16 months the one she damaged badly at the root many many months ago still hasn't grown back that much.

I don't suppose there is something they can do to stop the nail growing back without full on removal??? The operation sounds full on brutal!

It took her days to come near me when I took the bandage off!

[Shriek]

yes, normally i would say leave dew claws well alone, but as this has happened twice already i would be tempted to remove them. the op complexity will depend upon the type of dew claw - whether fully bone attached or little cartilege, or just attached by tissue.

Ask some questions of your vet and get plenty good sedation to save her more distress.

Then i might try taking her into a different vet just to say hello at reception and explain what you're doing in desensitising and leave again, they will often offer a treat or at least a warm reception and maybe a cuddle.

[mineofuselessinformation]

It is a bit brutal as they will need to go quite deep to remove all of the nail bed, but I think it's worth it for your dog. Once it's done, that's the end of it.

[Wolfiefan]

Bless. Four times in less than a year and a half? No wonder she's anxious about the vet. Poor dog!

[Shriek]

sorry just saw your update... especially yes, and speak to vet/s for advice on options.

[NeedACleverNN]

My nan had one of her dogs dew claws removed.

I can't remember why though. He had bandages on his feet for about a week maybe two and hasn't looked back since

[Floralnomad]

My dog has had a few nails removed and our vet prefers to do it under anaesthetic rather than sedation , it's the recovery that is the problem but dew claw removal shouldn't be such an issue as they're not on the foot .

[memyselfandaye]

I did with my last dog, he was a very fast runner with no brakes so he kept ripping them when he skidded to a stop, they were always sore so they had to go.

He did'nt suffer when he had them removed and he healed quickly.

[RandomMess]

feel so guilty.

She could of course be super brainy and realise that the longer she strings out socialisation with the vet nurse the longer she gets a weekly tummy of treats! Took 3 weeks to get her into the nurses room, not made it out the back yet to where the vets do any procedures...

She is a former rescue so generally nervous/frightened of adults and a complete wimp.

All the injuries have been done either chasing/catching the ball or just doing her running like a nutter thing in the field.

I'm assuming if the vets feel it's in her best interests due to anxiousness then the insurance will cover it?

[Shriek]

the vet might be able to best give you the answer to what might be covered as I guess that they have a lot of experience in the field of claims with specific insurers.

You sound to be trying so hard to do the best thing for a ddog that came with baggage.

I suggested lots of sedation just reduce her distress in going but assume they would give GA for this.

[RandomMess]

The time she damaged the other one badly they either heavily sedated or gave GA just to get near it as she was so stressed

Generally she's a happy bunny, wary of all adults but will get in any car what so ever, oh and quite happily beg for food!

[BettyDraper1]

I wonder how much this would cost. My dog's dew claws are on his back feet and he has so much trouble with them and is terrified of having them cut. Be good to just get rid of them for good.

[RandomMess]

Ddog is insured thankfully!

[BettyDraper1]

Will insurance cover it though? (I know I could look into it but just wondering if anybody knows off the top of their heads).

[Floralnomad]

Anything that requires an anaesthetic costs about £500-£600 at our vets .

[RandomMess]

Stares at pathetic dog desperately washing her paw and hopes it is covered!!!!

[CMOTDibbler]

I think it was £120 including the castration for ours

[Floralnomad]

I don't have lifetime insurance so my dogs toenails are no longer covered but he has a toenail savings account which I put £50 per month in to help with his expenses .

[RandomMess]

Ddog does have lifetime cover so fingers crossed getting it done now and that is it would be a wise investment on a young dog 3.5/4 years.

[powershowerforanhour]

You could ring the insurance company and ask them if they will do a preauthorisation (a guarantee before you go ahead that they will pay up after).

[CreepingDogFart]

Reputable vets will refuse this procedure.