Hello all!!  I'm so glad I stumbled onto this site because I have a question that no one can seem to answer.  My boy Jake (almost 5 years old) has caught his dewclaws on my fence numerous times, resulting in nearly ripping them off and surely a great amount of pain.  Obviously, the breeder did not remove them at birth, so I have an appointment for tomorrow morning to get them removed.

I am starting to get concerned, though, because I'm afraid having them removed might cause permanent pain in his little feet (i.e. when you have something operated on, they have to cut muscle, tissue, etc. and can never put it back exactly like it was).  I don't want him to be in pain the rest of his life, but I'm not sure I can take watching him suffer when he rips one of them off again.

What should I do?  Any advice or recommedations would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there and welcome to you and Jake! My Yaz's dew claws were already removed when we got her. Alot of folks on here have dogs with dew claws. Some have no problems. Some like your Jake keep getting them caught. I would THINK that having them removed is the best route. What has your vet said as far as healing time/process?

Thanks for the welcome!  I have not actually had a chance to talk with the vet yet, I just scheduled the appointment.  I hope I will get to talk to him before the procedure tomorrow.  I'm supposed to drop him off at 7:30 and pick him up between 3 and 5, so I don't know if they actually make time for the parents to speak with the vets.  I'm definitely going to ask, though, because I just couldn't take it if I did any irreparable damage to his little feet.

I would think he'd be okay. Maybe someone else on here has had this done and will see you post before tomorrow. Either way let us know how he does.

Amy - I'll be sure to let everybody know how he does tomorrow.

He does get them caught on things...A LOT.  Not only do they get caught on the fence (when he's running in turbo mode along the length with the dog that lives next door), but he gets them caught on toys, blankets, laundry, rugs...you name it.  I remember the breeder telling us that 3 of the pups were born without dewclaws and Jake and another one were born with them.  When I first got him, I though it would be cruel to put him through the pain just to comply with the breed standard (all of the dogs were born with cropped tails too, by the way), so I just let them be.  But over the years he's been snagging them often, and this last time was pretty bad .  I've probably just been lucky when this has happened before...he's never had an infection.

I'd be happy to post some more pictures of him...he's so adorable.  I think I have 200 or 300 of just him being silly (with his really cute underbite).

Welcome!!  Sounds like a good idea to have his dewclaw removed......   considering his case.....   better safe than sorry. 

and that pic of him in the avator is adorable!