Split Dew Claw

[heather pluciennik]

So is there anything I could do to fix a split dew claw or is it better to leave it alone. It happened sometime Saturday while at the self dog wash. Metal grate on the bottom of the tub is all I could guess when she jumped into the tub?
It was bleeding a little Saturday and she was licking it. Stopped the bleeding with the nail stuff and it was dry. Today we were playing with her blanket and it brushed against it so started bleeding again. Just a small split but enough to keep opening.
Is it possible to glue it so it stops snagging on things? She just can't seem to win this year? Will see a vet if need be but doesn't look infected from what I could tell when she'll let me look. No odd colors or bad smell.
Hate to pull out the cone of shame but will if she doesn't leave it alone.....

 

[Jibby]

Mine just did this over a week ago playing on the lake....we left it alone and eventually the piece that split fell off. We kept an eye on it for infection, but she took good care of it. Not sure if that's the route we should have taken, but she's fine now.

 

[Jager's Mom]

Jager had that happen once... took him to vet, they had to numb it and take the nail all the way down. We waited, too...but it did get infected. Might be smart to hit the vet sooner than later. UGH

 

[heather pluciennik]

Watching it for now. Nothing to fall off since it split up the middle? No blood so far so good.
She isn't messing with it unless it hits something and opens. Hope it heals before her show next month?
Thanks guys!

 

[Capri]

You can probably try doing a light bandage/tape around the paw for a few days to stabilize the dew claw to the rest of the paw to try and avoid it getting hit (and reopened) by accident. That might help, but only if she's cooperative and not trying to rip it off . Yes, it'll definitely be healed by next month (unless it gets infected). I would put some antibacterial spray on it a few times a day, clean it out after (muddy) walks.

 

[ajcooksey]

speaking of dew claws my vet wants us to get Turner's removed when he gets fixed because she told me it could get caught and tear. Is it a big deal if we leave it on? I don't want to remove it unnecessarily.

 

[Elizabeth]

I personally wouldn't remove them. I think it's an unnecessary surgery.

E

 

[Capri]

I haven't heard of any newfies tearing their dew claws (only some dogs that are used for hunting). Yes it is a risk, but not a very big one. I wouldn't do it.

 

[ajcooksey]

Alright good I didn't think it was a big deal but she was making it seem like the responsible thing to do so I thought since we were on the topic to see if it was. I'm glad that it really isn't something we should worry about because I really didn't want to have it removed.

 

[Blacknewfs]

I would leave it and monitor, unless it continues to get banged and bleeds. If that was the case, and it was still bleeding and being re-opened, I would do salt water soaks 2x daily and keep an eye on it.

If still no improvement, or if she continues to catch it on things, a light honey wrap could be used. Honey works wonders.

Smell it daily, and if it starts to smell like zombie, get antibiotics ordered.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Smell it daily, and if it starts to smell like zombie, get antibiotics ordered.

I love this sentence right here :roflmao:

 

[mulenag]

I'd remove rear dews, but not front ones unless they are really loose and not tight against the leg. My first Newf never had problems with hers, but my Berner had his rear ones removed during his neuter. Then he ripped his front ones twice causing him a lot of pain. We opted to remove them at that point. The surgery and recovery was rough, but no worries or discomfort for him now.

I gotta remember that one, Sandra! LOL!

 

[Blacknewfs]

I love this sentence right here :roflmao:

It's so true though, right? If I call my vet and say someone smells like zombie, they know exactly the funk I am talking about, and meds are on the way.

Words to live by.

 

[heather pluciennik]

Well she only opened once so far. Class this morning and rest again so no more accidents. Did see the article on honey on FB. Good info! If she does need it wrapped then the cone will have to come out. So far so good so not doing anything else for now.
Defiantly wouldn't remove the front dews unless need too.
Well off to CD class. Thinking of signing her up for tests next month. Later all!

 

[NinaA]

For some insane reason I decided my first Newf needed her front dew claws removed, so when she was spayed we had them taken off. I thought they'd never heal. Finally had to granulate. I will never, ever do that again.