|
Touchy Subject. I did a search & did not find info on what instruments to use for docking tails & dewclaws. I am giong to try to do this myself. My friend helped me do my last litter. I am curious as to what people here use & how. You are welcome to e-mail or pm if you had rather not post as it is a touchy subject. If there are any links please send them. Thanks. |
I saw a Tail docker at UPCO. Hope this helps. |
I have been looking for some help too. The breeder I used can dock the tails... but she doesn't declaw... is it needed? what age do you declaw? |
Quote:
|
You are very brave...I don't think I would be able to do that myself. I know a breeder that use to do her own dewclaw removal until oneday she did it wrong and paralyzed the poor pup. She never did them again. I get a heart attack every time my pups flinches and pulls away when I cut their nails. I've never made them bleed but it still scares the bejeezus out of me when the pull away like that. hehe :p |
I wish that more vets used the clamp and twist method but unfortunately, it's hard to find one that does. Take a hemostat clamp and put it at the length you want to remove. Leave it there for about a method to slow the blood circulation. You need two people to do this...one to twist and one to hold the pup. Twist the part you want removed about 10-12 times in a 360 degree circle. Take a very fine razor blade that had been cleansed in alcohol and shave the tail off using the hemostat as a guide. It's a quick method and there is very little if any blood involved. |
clamps Most dog supply catologs have them..clamps are also used to remove hair from ears etc..as well as tails. Best to do the declaws at 3 to 5 days when doing the tails. Best wishes Anyone who lives close can always come here and I will show you... |
Quote:
Pat, I wish that I lived closer to you. You have so much info and I'd love to pick apart your brain! :D |
What would happen if you didn't do this? |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
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? |
Quote:
|
I just called a vet in town... they told me that 4 days old was too old to have the tails done... I have read in diff places that it is about the right time... what is going on? |
declaws Leaving the declaws is more of a nuisance. The owner needs to clip the nail..some forget it is there and they can grow into the skin. Keeping the nail short helps prevent getting it caught on things like bedding, chair fabric etc..it can get caught and be pulled out..they won't die if it happens, but it is painful and bloody. |
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... |
Quote:
|
yuck.. and ouch! oh my... that is horrible... |
tails 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. |
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. |
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. |
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! |
Quote:
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! |
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............ |
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... |
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. |
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! |
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. |
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?... |
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. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:15 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use