Dew Claw regrowth

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

John Dennis — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 09:21:23 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] puppies aren't Salamanders you know[/quote]

Gosh did you not sense the "tongue in cheek". Amputation can only produce "phantom limbs" etc.

This was a request, initially, for information because of a client enquiry following the procedure been done by a vet elsewhere with what I assumed was a poor technique not a comment on the ethics. Please read the whole thread before making derogatory accusations of "barbarism".

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

ChrisBVSc — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 09:13:20 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]But then of course if you weren't undertaking unnecessary barbaric procedures like amputating dew claws and tails it wouldn't be an issue to start with would it?![/quote]

This is basically what we were taught - and therefore we weren't taught any techniques & I've never seen another vet do it. (2007 grad)

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:55:52 GMT

Unequivocally poor technique - puppies aren't Salamanders you know! But then of course if you weren't undertaking unnecessary barbaric procedures like amputating dew claws and tails it wouldn't be an issue to start with would it?!

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

John Dennis — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 07:49:04 GMT

Thanks for all opinions. Looks as if it was due to being over cautious with the procedure. I too learnt from seeing it been done in Practice. This may become a lost skill and certainly may become a potential "claim" area if carried out by the inexperienced as already explained. Back dew claws in particular are removed early in life and can save considerable trauma later, especially in working dogs.

By the way there is no sign of the docked tails re-growing apparently.

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

Claudia Niehoegen — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 23:05:04 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

always taken a good bite

[/quote]

I haven't seen them regrow, but I've seen the effect of a vet (or so the breeder said) having taken too good a bite: part of the metacarpal was missing, too, and the 2nd digit floppy. Weimaraner puppy, so no fur to grow over the evidence.

Have never removed any in puppies myself.

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

Sammy82 — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:57:27 GMT

Never been taught at uni (Germany) as illegal to do in Germany anyway.

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:48:33 GMT

Never taught it, don't think it was even mentioned once in 5 years. (2012 grad)

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

Virginia Campbell — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:31:55 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]I was never taught this as a student - learnt from vets in practice once qualified.[/quote]

Same here. Have done very few; none for years.

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:29:35 GMT

I was never taught this as a student - learnt from vets in practice once qualified.

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

John Dennis — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:25:02 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"] I've just used a pair of curved scissors to scoop the dew claw with germinal tissue[/quote]

Yes this is my long standing technique with pot permanganate cautery. This problem is not one created by our Practice but may be connected with poor technique elsewhere. Are recent graduates taught the correct technique? Let us hear from recent graduates please as regards their experience.

Obviously I will not "drop" another vet " in it" but the Gordon Setter breeder did make a substantial claim against the Practice that had charged for the service and photographic evidence could not be dismissed.

Thank you Michael and Niall

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 21:51:17 GMT

How are you removing them? I've just used a pair of curved scissors to scoop the dew claw with germinal tissue. I did have one grow back when I was young and green. Never since - always taken a good bite.Dip in potassium permanganate.

I routinely remove back ones on anything. Only remove front with a bloody good reason. We have one gamekeeper who we've operated on a number of front dew claws so I do remove them on his puppies.

Re: Dew Claw regrowth

Niall Taylor — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 21:49:39 GMT

Sounds like poor technique, surely (although I wouldn't necessarily be that blunt with the owner). Even in new-born pups they're not going to grow back if you've done the job properly. Sounds like they need to get back to the vet who is supposed to have performed the original removal.

Interesting case - I look forward to hearing the outcome.

Cheers,

Niall