Anyone of you have experiences with an infected and inflammed dewclaw?
Sparkle has been chewing on one of them and it's now inflammed and fur around is has dropped. Took him to the vet today and he put him on the e-collar. Supposed to take him back in a weeks' time. Meanwhile, he has to be on antibiotics.
Anyone had similar experience and any advice on what to apply on it externally?
I've had a similar experience with my boyfriend's shih tzu. In her case the dewclaw grows in a rather odd direction, it curls inwards so that it grows into the flesh. That will = infection.
The vet had to cut the claw really close to the cuitcle and remove the ingrown bit. Then she prescribed antibiotics and gave iodine to apply twice a day for about a week and a half to help stop the infection. I suggest you get the iodine from the vet as it is different from the iodine used on humans. The human iodine is alcohol based and will REALLY hurt if you use it on Sparkle. The dog version is waterbased and doesn't hurt as much, just a bit of a sting. It's also non-staining so you don't have to worry about staining your fingers and outher stuff.
If Sparkle's dewclaws grow curving inwards and/or if the risk of multiple infections is rather high, perhaps you can just declaw the two dewclaws rather than put Sparkle through the agony of numerous vet visits. My vet quoted about RM100 to RM200 per claw for the adult shih tzu, it's apparently cheaper for puppies.
Hopefully you'll find this useful! And wish Sparkle a speedy recovery from Ah Kow and me.
Well, I don't think his dewclaw is growing oddly as the vet didn't say anything about it and when it wasn't infected it looks ok to me. Funny thing is he chews on only one side of it.
I think I'll give my vet a call today to ask about the iodine. Right now he has the e-collar and is taking antibiotics but there's nothing to apply directly on the inflammed area. So maybe together with the iodine it'll heal faster. hehehe...summore now he can't lick the iodine also.
As to declaw him, I'll remember to ask my vet's opinion when I take Sparkle back for a check up next week. If I can, I'll prefer to let it heal by itself. Unless like you mentioned there's a risk of getting another infection later, then maybe declawing him would be better for him.
Thank you so much for sharing this!! I thought Sparkle was having a really weird problem
Btw, what's the purpose of dewclaws in dogs anyway? I know some dogs are declawed for shows and if they can be removed for cosmetic reasons, it must be quite useless to a dog to have dewclaws in the first place right?
I guess it's by nature that they had it there in the first place.. don't know why dog's nose is always wet either ... but yeah, they are pretty useless to me, and it will hurt them during combing if accidently comb down you see, but I don't plan to remove it as it will hurt jaz more..
Not really sure why dogs have dewclaws either... I think for pets you declaw them for safety reasons... Maybe got kids at home, the dog keeps getting the claws stuck in stuff, etc.
Maybe when the infection is healed you can train him to stop biting on the dewclaw. I think there are sprays in pet shops and vets which stop dogs biting stuff but I'm not sure if they can be used on the dog.. So better check with the vet! Anyway, the spray is really quite effective but it smells really odd.
Take care! Hopefully Sparkle can make it for the gathering!
Exactly, but sometimes, it's dangerouse during combing time.. might hurt thier legs you see... but yeah, never had the intention to remove them.. just be extra careful when coming at those parts that's all...
Not too sure why their nose is wet... Maybe coz' they always lick it??? Anyway, a cold wet nose is a sign that your dog is healthy so I guess it's a good thing. Ah Kow's nose is dry in the mornings when she just wakes up. Is that normal?
Sorry I took so long to reply... Forgot I posted here lah.. Getting old liao. Anyway, Ah Kow's nose also sometimes extra wet during car rides.. Maybe excited kua? Hehe!!! Didn't know dogs can have sinus also! Hope Sparkle gets the all clear from the vet!
Sparkle is an adopted puppy. Got him from my uncle and he doesn't declaw any of his dogs But I agree with u....if I had the choice, i would have prefer if Sparkle's dewclaw was removed when he was younger
Well,long time ago,mother nature gave dogs dew claws to help them climb mountains and even some trees. Mountain breeds like maremma's, pyrenean sheepdogs, kuvasv have dew claws on their hind legs also.
as for wet noses..i think i read some where that the mucus on the nose helps to collect scent when they are sniffing around....easier for them to sniff&identify smells
,-._,-. \/)"(\/ (_o_)
(This post was edited by RealityDreamer on Aug 4, 2003, 9:30 AM)
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... but yeah, they are pretty useless to me, and it will hurt them during combing if accidently comb down you see, but I don't plan to remove it as it will hurt jaz more..
and i think thats the best part bout not having those dew claws!
