12/1/2023 0 Comments Loose dew claw dogSome dog breeds routinely have their front dewclaws removed to “improve” their appearance in the show ring. Typically, the procedure is scheduled at the same time the dog is being spayed or neutered. But the actual incidence of these problems is quite low, too, so the value of these surgeries is up for debate. Veterinarians will sometimes recommend removing loosely attached double or rear dewclaws to prevent injury. But these problems occur so infrequently that removing healthy front dewclaws as a preventative measure makes little sense. In rare cases, a dog’s dewclaw may be severely injured or develop a disease (such as a cancerous tumor) and removal under those circumstances would be in the dog’s best interests. Should Dewclaws Be Removed?īecause front dewclaws serve several important purposes, they should not be removed unless there is a very good reason to do so. The usefulness of dewclaws that are only attached by skin is less clear. Some dogs also use their dewclaws to help them climb trees or hold objects to better chew on them. At high speeds (especially when turning) or on slippery surfaces, these dewclaws provide extra traction and help stabilize the carpal (wrist) joint. When dogs run, their front feet often bend to the point where their dewclaws contact the ground. Do Dewclaws Have a Purpose?Ī dewclaw that’s attached by bone to a dog’s front foot has a definite purpose. Rear and double dewclaws tend to only be attached by skin and are much more mobile. You’ll be able to wiggle the dewclaw a little bit (mostly in a forward and backward motion), but you can feel the bones and ligaments that connect it to the leg. In general, if your dog has a single front dewclaw, it will be. The dewclaw is the “thumb.” The same is true for the canine hind foot with the dewclaw, if it’s present, being the “big toe.”Īn important distinction to make is whether or not the dewclaws are firmly attached to a dog’s foot. Looking at a dog’s front foot, the toes that are in contact with the ground while standing correspond to our pinky, ring finger, middle finger, and index finger. They are not directly equivalent to the human structures, of course, but they are similar. But what, exactly, is a dewclaw, and is it a problem? What Are Dewclaws?ĭewclaws are essentially the thumbs and big toes of the dog world. That extra nail on the upper, inner part of a dog’s foot is the dewclaw.ĭid you come up with a different total? Have no fear, some dogs have dewclaws on their rear feet or even double dewclaws. How many toenails do you see? Most dogs have four nails on each rear foot and five on their front feet.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |