Nail injuries are common and preventable.
Veterinarians in Markham see many torn off or broken nails in dogs. They usually happen when the nails are growing too long and catch against something when the dog is running. This is an extremely painful condition – although many pets don’t limp and hold the paw up. As Markham vets, we know that pets don’t show explicit pain, because they are afraid of being evicted from the “pack”.
Dewclaws should be removed surgically on the hind legs.
Many dogs are born with 5 toes on the front and / or hind legs. The dewclaw (which is a relic, equivalent to the human thumb nail ) is the one on the inside of the paw. It serves no purpose in dogs, with the exception of the Great Pyrinees Mountain Dog breed, where it is supposed to act as a snow shoe, preventing the heavy dogs from sinking too deep into the snow.
The rear dewclaws often catch the nail of the opposing side and tear out. Good veterinarians in Markham, who practice preventive medicine, generally advise to remove the rear dewclaws during the spay/ neuter surgery.
We recently saw a young dog with a condition that could have been perfectly avoided: She had pulled her nail off the right hind dewclaw. She came from a shelter adoption situation where she was spayed in low cost fashion.
Treatment consists of Pain Killers, Antibiotics, Bandages, and possible debriding of loose nail pieces. And of course regular clipping of all toe nails.
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Sincerely,
Dr. Ernst Marsig, veterinarian in Markham
Practicing Veterinary Medicine in Markham for a Long and Happy Life of ALL Your Pets.
Animal Hospital of Unionville, a veterinary clinic on the north side of Hwy 7, serving all pets in Markham, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Stouffville, and North York since 1966. We are your family vets for dogs, cats, pocket pets (rabbits, chinchillas, gerbils, mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, skinny pigs, etc.), ferrets, and birds (budgies, cockatiel, parrots, amazon, cockatoo, love birds, conures, African greys, finches, canaries, etc.).
Disclaimer: No part of this website constitutes medical advice. Readers are advised to consult with their veterinarian.
