Touchy Subject.

[ilovemyabbie]

My Abbie still has hers and I haven't ever had a problem. I was just wondering.. Actually my Yorkipoo does have hers also... I just don't know what to do... ??? I thought that I had it all figured out.. but as always there is a kink in the line...

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by ilovemyabbie

My Abbie still has hers and I haven't ever had a problem. I was just wondering.. Actually my Yorkipoo does have hers also... I just don't know what to do... ??? I thought that I had it all figured out.. but as always there is a kink in the line...

My husband owned one of those bird dogs...either a Springer or Brittany Spaniel and since Dakota was a hunting dog, you remove their dew claws and dock their tails to prevent injury. ANYWAY, one of Dakota's dew claws had grown back. Obviously whoever did it didn't get down far enough. Since these type of dogs are kinda shaggy, we never noticed until one day, we found it and the whole nail had curled back around and grown back into his skin.

[ilovemyabbie]

yuck.. and ouch! oh my... that is horrible...

[YorkieRose]

There is no set day to dock tails...but as a rule it is between 3 and 5 days.

You do not want the tail larger then the diameter of a yellow school pencil. Of course, that can depend on how long you leave the tail also..since mine are docked a touch longer, I can usually wait 4 or 5 days..when I have a fat puppy, like Kate, they are ready at 2 days..and wee ones may be 7 days. I docked the tail on a two week old once..he did not react any different then the ones done at 3 days. he was terribly small..but survived and is a happy pet.

I can not recall a problem waiting an extra day or two, but have seen many problems docking too early.."the tiny ones"...of course, you are at the mercy of the vet and some have rules in stone. You need an open minded vet who can work with a breeder to do what is best for the pups.
We aren't talking about Rotties or Boxers..and to be fair, many vets only see oversized Yorkies..they have little experince with smaller ones.

[topknot]

I use to be a vet tech for 5 years and learned a lot, especially since the vet I worked for specialized in small dogs and doberman ear trims. I know what polar ends. He taught me to dock my own pups tails. We use the forceps. Clamp down after the tan (tan which comes from under the tail), then cut off the tail end - whatever is after the forceps. Then I use Alum to tab on the end and leave the forceps on for 15 min. I place the pups in a seperate box with heating pad and blankets. They do great - of corse it hurts and I hate doing it, but until AKC changes the rule - I quess I will continue. If you dock tails this way - they are less likely to scare compared to stiches.
I had dewclaws the most. You have to be soooo careful - you have to get enough so they don't grow back but not too much to do damage. It is best to save for the experience.
Of course make sure all your tools (forceps and scissors) are sterilized and you have washed your hands. Must be a clean environment.
This is how I do my tails/dewclaws. Am I recommending anyone else to follow my directions? No. Make sure you have been taught - like I was.
T.

[topknot]

I also like doing my own - because then I know their tail will be the correct length. There is nothing worse than seeing a yorkie tail with just a nub or one way too long and looks out of place - like the car door slamed on it once.
T.

[ilovemyabbie]

Thanks for all your advice... I believe in the breeder! She does this to all her pups... That is the only reason I would let her do it... I wouldn't just let anyone... I could choke the lady at the vets office... It isn't my vet they close at 12 on Thursday... so I called another one. They were rude and to be honest she was a WITCHY one!

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by ilovemyabbie

do the claws? sorry... didn't think about it.. we are doing the tails tonight. but the breeder i used for the stud... said she never does the claws... does it matter?

The breed standard says something like the rear dew claws are "usually" removed and the front ones CAN be but I don't think either is "required by the standard. It is wored such as to be optional but not a fault.

There are some people who believe that the dew claws are there for a reason, just as the long tail is, to help a dog athletically. They can dig into the ground for better traction when stopping and making sharp turns etc. and they use their tail as a rudder when they swim and as a sign and expression in communicating with other dogs and people. I persoanlly think both procedures are unnecessary but am trying hard to be understanding of those who feel they must conform to the standard.

Edited to clarify that I am not a breeder!

[Wrenee4]

I have had the pups done both ways and must say the twist way is WAY better. I like the fininshed look SOO much better! Although we take them to the vet for this............

[whispersmom2]

Pat and I do tails and dew claws the same way. I like them longer than many people cause I like the furry hair on them. In the pics of my Jesse you can see that his tail is/was longer. I use a sterile curved Kelly clamp..it is the larger of the clamps that you can find in the animal supply catalogs. I find it works best for the tails because of its strength. I leave the clamp on the tail for a couple of minutes, then twist the tail end off.. still leave the clamp on for a bit longer. I use the curved sterile mosquito clamp,,it is the small one in the catalogs. Clamp it on, leave it for a minute or so and twist te clamp and the dew claw comes off. If there is a drop of blood, and on rare occasions there MIGHT be, always have a cap full of styptic powder ready to dip the footsy in. If the mom licks excessively, she can make the seal break and bleed. Use a wee dab of bitter apple or Tea Tree Oil to discourage the licking..
The mosquito clamp is also what I use to remove the hair from the ears. I thank goodness for Pat every time I have to do these things..I was lucky enough to have her as my teacher...

[Yorksrule]

So much great information. I think I have the tails down. The dewclaws have me a little worried. The friend that helped me cut the claws with scissors then used fingernail clippers to remove the little white thing, looked like a gristle. I think the mosquito clamp sounds better to me. I think I just need to remember to get down far enough to get the whole dewclaw. How will I know if I got the whole thing? Thanks so much for all the information.

[reneernc]

Oh my goodness, i am a nurse and trying hard to digest all of this. When you leave the clamp in place, how long are you leaving it and does the pup feel it the entire time or does it become numb? What hair from the ears are you removing?
Thanks, just interested don't think I could ever do it!

[topknot]

We don't touch the ears! As the pup grows older we clip the hair off the tip of the ears (front and back) only to make sure the ears go up. But no cutting of the ears!
And yes the forceps cause a numbing effect after it is on a little while, since the pups stop crying. I was told by my vet I worked for to learve the clamps on for 10 - 15 min. This seals the skin together so no need for stitches.
T.

[yorkiegal719]

OK, I'm not a breeder just reading all this great info. Now, what kind of hair on the ears are you guys talking about that needs to be taken off, couldnt you just use scissors for that?...

[Marie]

I think the hair they refer on pulling from the ear is the hair that grows inside. This is done to prevent ear infections. Some yorkies have a lot of hair inside the ear and that needs to be pull cause water, etc can accumulate causing an infection.