Dew Claws on grown dogs

[redgirls]

What is everybody's experience with removing the dew claws on a Mature dog? My vet says that they just won't heal right, and could be sore for life. To much licking and biting at the stitches, with no way to prevent it?? Anybody have experience?

[halfbreed]

your vet is right . leave em on and just keep em trimmed . why you thinkin on takin em off ? outside of being a little unattractive they ain't hurtin nothin .

[BIGBLUES]

I have them removed when they are pups. I have had a couple older dogs removed. I have had issues with them getting ripped off in the woods or tore. Doesn't bother them a bit whether they are pups or adults from my experience. Its cheep and easy to do it when they are born.

[sourdough]

How bad are their dew claws being affected do to the conditions you’re hunting in? If you are having minimal trouble, then I would say let them be. If you are having to lay them up because of them I would tell my vet to remove them regardless of his or her thoughts, you have to hunt them. The removal of dew claws when they are babies is as simple as docking tails and should be done always when you live in snow country. There are some hounds that never seem to have problems, but it only takes one to see the need to remove them.

sourdough

[redgirls]

Thanks for the info guys. Sourdough, it's the snow that sores them up!! (the crusty stuff) I know that having them off is the way to go, but my older dogs still have em. The little bit of down time they have to have isn't worth the long term trouble I've decided. All of em in the future will be OFF.