#Torn dew claw dog skin#

In the instance where it is a hind dew claw, your vet may suggest removal if they hang loosely off the paw, thus posing a greater risk of injury. However, unless there is a legitimate medical reason, there really is no reason to remove a healthy dew claw, particularly if it’s on the front paw. This minor operation is frequently done by breeders when the animal is only a few days old, since the digit has not yet attached to bone or muscle tissue and it is easier to execute. When Is Dew Claw Removal Recommended?Īs mentioned, removing a dog’s dew claws is a fairly common procedure and is often done when the puppy is a newborn. Oftentimes, such surgeries are scheduled at the same time a dog is being either spayed or neutered while under anesthesia, and usually within the first five days after birth. Because the actual incidence of such types of injuries is fairly marginal, the value of this type of surgery is still up for debate. On the other hand, it is far more common for vets to remove loosely-attached rear or double dew claws in order to avoid injury. However, removal of a healthy dew claw is really unnecessary, as these problems occur so infrequently. In very rare instances, a dog’s dew claw may be badly injured or develop a disease (such as a canine malignant tumor ) in either case, your veterinarian will be able to determine whether or not removal is in your pooch’s best interest. Should My Dog’s Dew Claws Be Removed?Īs discussed, your dog’s front dew claws serve a purpose, so they should not be removed unless there’s a legitimate reason to do so.

#Torn dew claw dog skin#

However, the purpose of dew claws that are only attached by skin is less clear. In some instances, your four-legged friend may use his dew claws to help him climb trees, hold objects better to chew on them, or even climb out of the water if he’s broken through the ice. At high speeds (especially when turning) or on slippery surfaces, your pooch’s dewclaws provide extra traction while stabilizing his carpal (wrist) joint. When your dog runs, his front feet usually bend to the point where their dew claws come in contact with the ground. Why Does My Dog Have Dew Claws?Īlthough they may seem like an extraneous feature, a dew claw attached to a dog’s front foot serves a definite purpose. On the other hand, rear and double dew claws tend to be attached by skin only and are therefore much looser this can make them more susceptible to injury, which will be discussed later. You should be able to wiggle a dew claw a bit (mostly in a gentle forward and backward motion) however, you will feel the bones that connect it to the leg. One important distinction to observe is whether or not your dog’s dew claw is firmly attached to his foot – generally speaking, if he has a single front dew claw, it will be. While they’re not directly equivalent to our human physiology, they are similar. Often referred to as a dog’s thumb, dew claws are actually short nails on the side of a canine’s foot that are unable to touch the ground – in essence, they’re the thumbs and big toes of the canine world. Below are some frequently-asked questions about dew claws: What Are Dew Claws? Double dew claws are commonly found in breeds such as the Saint Bernard, Great Pyrenees and the Briard. In other instances, there are dogs that might have an extra toe, which is frequently referred to as a double dew claw, or polydactyl (from Greek, meaning “many fingers”). In general, dogs who exhibit dew claws have them on their front paws only however some breeds have them on their hind feet, such as Newfoundlands. This article will discuss the anatomy of a canine’s dew claws, including pet care and treatment, risk of injury, and other related concerns regarding this often misunderstood physical attribute. Basically, dog dew claws are physical remnants of the canine evolutionary process. Over time, the physiology of canine paws changed to allow for greater speed when hunting on the ground. In fact, research has shown that around 40 million years ago, the cat-like animal Miacis – a very early ancestor of modern dogs – required all five toes for climbing trees. If you’ve ever wondered why do dogs have dew claws, as they may just seem like a relatively useless nail on your dog’s paw, dew claws are actually the result of evolution.