Do you do Claws and Tails? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

justus · 05-01-2005, 02:12 PM

We were wondering how many dock their own Puppies Tails and Remove the Dew Claws. We had our Veterinarian do the Tails and Claws on 9 puppies(Our first 2 litters) at the age of 3 days. The litters were born 3 days apart.
The veterinarian says there are many different ways of docking the tails.
He removed the tails (not going to get into detail) Then he insists on putting a stitch in each to where there will not be a bald spot, or a protrusion of bone. THEY look nice!! I held the puppies while tails and Dew Claws were done. It was great to be part of the process! Same at puppy checks and Vaccinations, we (my wife and 2-6 yr olds participated) 9 puppies, two litters worked out well this way. NO the children and wife were not present on the tails and dew claws! Just the Doctor and I. I was curious. Thanks for your added comments. Kirk and Mary .....justus

YorkieRose · 05-01-2005, 03:17 PM

I dock my pups tails, because I perfer the bloodless method. Crimp and twist with the clamp does not produce blood or an open wound, so no need for stitching..and I pefer the way the hair hangs off the tails without sewing them up..JMO.

justus · 05-01-2005, 03:50 PM

I worked for a doctor before, and can trail a pretty good stitch myself. I have a friend new on here and they are going to show me how they do them, and they have around 20 years into Yorkies. Thank You for your comment. Do you then dip the tails in a solution> Curious. Thank you again. Kirk and Mary....justus

YorkieRose · 05-01-2005, 04:38 PM

I boil the clamp, but do nothing else.
This may be an old breeder tale, but I think stress is the cause of many problems breeders have..stress compromises the immune system. Depress the immune system and dogs are susceptible to many illnesses., bacteria, viruses, etc. So I keep my mommies and pups out of the vets office as much as possible.. and stress free. Good luck

whispersmom2 · 05-01-2005, 05:08 PM

I am with YorkieRose. I try not to take my babies to the vet and take the chance of exposing them to all kinds of germs. I use a sterilized in alcohol Kelly clamp, crimp the tail at the length I like and wait a minute or two, and twist the tail. No blood and no exposed bone or cartilage. I like the tails longer than the tail of the puppy in the picture..that is the length most vets do the tails. If there is a drop of blood, I dip the tail in styptic powder. The dew claws are done with a sterile mosquito clamp and the same procedure if a drop or two of blood. I also put a drop of bitter apple near the site to keep mom from licking the areas. So far, I have had no problems. I do not dip the tails in any sterilizing solution after docking. Puppies seem less stressed and moms are much less anxious. I am now mentoring and did the tails and dew claws of 3 babies last week. They are so cute..

justus · 05-01-2005, 05:22 PM

Thank you very much ! Kirk and Mary...justus

05-01-2005, 02:12 PM	#1
justus Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hutchinson, Kansas Posts: 247	Do you do Claws and Tails? We were wondering how many dock their own Puppies Tails and Remove the Dew Claws. We had our Veterinarian do the Tails and Claws on 9 puppies(Our first 2 litters) at the age of 3 days. The litters were born 3 days apart. The veterinarian says there are many different ways of docking the tails. He removed the tails (not going to get into detail) Then he insists on putting a stitch in each to where there will not be a bald spot, or a protrusion of bone. THEY look nice!! I held the puppies while tails and Dew Claws were done. It was great to be part of the process! Same at puppy checks and Vaccinations, we (my wife and 2-6 yr olds participated) 9 puppies, two litters worked out well this way. NO the children and wife were not present on the tails and dew claws! Just the Doctor and I. I was curious. Thanks for your added comments. Kirk and Mary .....justus Attached Thumbnails

05-01-2005, 03:17 PM	#2
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	tails and declaws I dock my pups tails, because I perfer the bloodless method. Crimp and twist with the clamp does not produce blood or an open wound, so no need for stitching..and I pefer the way the hair hangs off the tails without sewing them up..JMO.

05-01-2005, 03:50 PM	#3
justus Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hutchinson, Kansas Posts: 247	Thank You Pat I worked for a doctor before, and can trail a pretty good stitch myself. I have a friend new on here and they are going to show me how they do them, and they have around 20 years into Yorkies. Thank You for your comment. Do you then dip the tails in a solution> Curious. Thank you again. Kirk and Mary....justus

05-01-2005, 04:38 PM	#4
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	tails I boil the clamp, but do nothing else. This may be an old breeder tale, but I think stress is the cause of many problems breeders have..stress compromises the immune system. Depress the immune system and dogs are susceptible to many illnesses., bacteria, viruses, etc. So I keep my mommies and pups out of the vets office as much as possible.. and stress free. Good luck

05-01-2005, 05:22 PM	#6
justus Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hutchinson, Kansas Posts: 247	This is GREAT information !! Thank you very much ! Kirk and Mary...justus

05-01-2005, 05:08 PM	#5
whispersmom2 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MD Posts: 2,985	I am with YorkieRose. I try not to take my babies to the vet and take the chance of exposing them to all kinds of germs. I use a sterilized in alcohol Kelly clamp, crimp the tail at the length I like and wait a minute or two, and twist the tail. No blood and no exposed bone or cartilage. I like the tails longer than the tail of the puppy in the picture..that is the length most vets do the tails. If there is a drop of blood, I dip the tail in styptic powder. The dew claws are done with a sterile mosquito clamp and the same procedure if a drop or two of blood. I also put a drop of bitter apple near the site to keep mom from licking the areas. So far, I have had no problems. I do not dip the tails in any sterilizing solution after docking. Puppies seem less stressed and moms are much less anxious. I am now mentoring and did the tails and dew claws of 3 babies last week. They are so cute..