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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

My friends dog has been castrated and had two dew claws removed, it was £329 is this normal?

20 replies

roundligament · 19/03/2019 14:43

How much should it cost
Not including anti biotics or bandages Confused she had to buy them as extra and also the stitches came undone and now he has had to have them done again the poor thing
Does this sound expensive
I can see the average cost for a castration is £150 but don't know about the claws though from what I gather it's a pretty serious op.
Thanks

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 19/03/2019 15:07

Vets charge different amounts so the answer will be different for everyone. The main question is did they ask the price beforehand and are they happy with the service.

My vets are cheap for some stuff and pricey for others but I don't mind because I like the practice.

Haven't had dew claws removed so can't comment on the price.

Doggydoggydoggy · 19/03/2019 18:11

I was going to get my dog’s dew claws removed at the same time as her spay as she is very active and was forever splitting them and was absolutely shocked at the cost!

I decided against it in the end after researching more thoroughly but yes it is expensive because it is basically a limb amputation, not just the nail.

Before surgically removing though have they tried keeping them mega short instead?

I keep my dog’s dew claws as mere nubs now, almost level with the pad so really really short and she has never injured them since...

BiteyShark · 19/03/2019 18:20

It's interesting as I have had a vet (not my own) recommend getting them removed if he was sedated for other things as his are only really attached with a bit of skin. However, whilst he is really active and injures himself in so many ways he has never injured them I am so going to regret saying that now.

Floralnomad · 19/03/2019 18:25

Operation costs will vary depending on the size of the animal and also at some vets depending on what options you choose ie pre op bloods etc .

Doggydoggydoggy · 19/03/2019 18:29

Are they back ones bitey ?

Because front ones are attached to ligaments and muscle and bone not just a bit of skin!
Dogs use them to pivot and grip when running and hold stuff.
That is why it is quite a big operation because it’s badically removing a finger.

Cherylshaw · 19/03/2019 18:33

11 years ago we were £130 for neutering and dew claws for a chihuahua so I'd imagine that wouldn't be far off the price now

Cherylshaw · 19/03/2019 18:35

I was £145 for blood tests the other day so that seems reasonable for an operation

LizzyBennett · 19/03/2019 18:36

It was £200 for my car to have a tooth out under GA so that sounds ok to me

LizzyBennett · 19/03/2019 18:37

My cat, not my car!!!

CarolDanvers · 19/03/2019 18:38

That sounds about right.

Shortandsweet96 · 19/03/2019 18:42

@lizzybennett have you got one of the newest models of Tesla?

BiteyShark · 19/03/2019 18:42

Doggydoggydoggy yes the back ones seems to just hang there. The front ones do feel much more 'attached'. I think I will leave them be unless it is really necessary.

Doggydoggydoggy · 19/03/2019 18:53

Yes, the back ones are often removed if the dog has them because as you say, they are just loosely attached by skin in most cases and can get caught.

The front ones in contrast are actual limbs, i making an assumption that it is front ones the OP is referring to as most dogs don’t have back ones.

JaneEyre07 · 19/03/2019 18:59

Mine rips his dewclaws on a fairly regular basis (pesky spaniel). Even with the covers on I got him that dogs use doing flyball! Each time it's around £80/90 to clean them and sort them. Vet refuses to remove them as he explained it would be like amputating a thumb.... dog relies on them for balance.

Doesn't sound overly unreasonable to be honest.

Veterinari · 19/03/2019 19:00

Most vets won’t remove bony few claws without good reason - it’s an orthopaedic digit amputation.

Dew claws of any type are also notorious for wound breakdowns post op. Best just to leave well alone and sort out if they are potentially injured, rather than definitely causing injury through removal

TheoriginalLEM · 19/03/2019 19:00

Vet nurse here. £329 sounds reasonable. Dew claw removal in an older dog (ie not new born) isnt just a quick snip so c£150 for that procedure would be about right.

As pp say, it will vary practice to practice and also size of dog.

Magicroundabout321 · 19/03/2019 19:04

I thought the dew claws were important to the animal. Unless there was a specific medical reason justifying their removal, wouldn't be unkind to to that?

Easy for me to say though, with a dog who's never had problem with them.

Ylvamoon · 19/03/2019 19:55

I had x-ray (different issue) and dew claws done last year... 250.- I think it was ok...

Original poster
roundligament · 19/03/2019 20:16

Thank you so much everyone for the information it's been really helpful.

The dogs stitches came out and he had to have his feet re done today (sorry I am not a dog owner I don't know the right terms)
He is hopefully able to heal now.
His were all floppy so it was best choice for him to have them off.
I got a shock when I read about it being a fairly major operation.
Poor thing he will need lots of love

OP posts:
Original poster
roundligament · 19/03/2019 20:17

My friends dog is some sort of mixed breed she rescued.. he's quite a handful but I am sure the vet only did it for his safety.
My MIL who is really into dogs uses the same vet so I'm probably just feeling sorry for him because his stitches came undone.

OP posts:
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