Callie's dew claw

[Ellie May]

Most surgery is a bit traumatic, but I wouldn't be too overwhelmed with the thought of it being an amputation. I'm guessing she would be happier with a few days of pain rather than a life time of irritation from it.

All dogs tolerate pain differently and it will vary based on what procedure the vet does (laser or not, etc.). If it has to be done it will be okay.

ETA: She probably won't want to walk on that foot but the good news is that they don't walk on their dew claws anyway.

[Maximo]

I had no idea they could use laser for dew claws. After Max and his eyelid, I am all for lasers. In many uses, the recovery time is shorter, easier.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Most surgery is a bit traumatic, but I wouldn't be too overwhelmed with the thought of it being an amputation. I'm guessing she would be happier with a few days of pain rather than a life time of irritation from it.

All dogs tolerate pain differently and it will vary based on what procedure the vet does (laser or not, etc.). If it has to be done it will be okay.

ETA: She probably won't want to walk on that foot but the good news is that they don't walk on their dew claws anyway.

Thanks I really worry about things sometimes especially went it comes to Callie.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Most surgery is a bit traumatic, but I wouldn't be too overwhelmed with the thought of it being an amputation. I'm guessing she would be happier with a few days of pain rather than a life time of irritation from it.

All dogs tolerate pain differently and it will vary based on what procedure the vet does (laser or not, etc.). If it has to be done it will be okay.

ETA: She probably won't want to walk on that foot but the good news is that they don't walk on their dew claws anyway.

The dew claw is considered a digit.. correct? Like a thumb per say... You are cutting off the dog's digit. Amputation.

Being that it is located right above the paw.. closer to the pad due to the small size of Callies' paw (compared to a bigger dog's dew claw) I would think it would be very tender to walk on.. for more than a couple days. I've seen big breeds have this surgery and not want to walk on that paw more than 4 days.

There is no denying this surgery as a painful one. I would make sure I covered all pros and cons before I went ahead with the surgery.

[ladyjane]

I personally would not get hung up on the amputation word either...sometimes things must be amputated no matter what. The issue at hand may be that there is no fix for whatever is bothering Callie and it may be a necessary surgery. She is not talking about this as if it is an elective surgery. The dew claw has been an issue for a while. I had a pup whose leg had to be amputated and he faired no worse than any of my other ortho surgeries in terms of the recovery process. I, of course, kept him on pain meds for a few days just as I am sure would be done for Callie if this dew claw must be removed.

If this dew claw has an issue that they cannot clear up, the surgery might be necessary. No pros and cons to be weighed. This, as I said, is not being discussed as an elective procedure....at least that is not how I have read it.

[kjc]

If the dew claw is a recurring source of injury, pain, and infection... it's best to have it removed. All surgeries hurt. As pressure from the dog's weight is put on the foot while walking, this can be painful for the dog until the surgery site is healed. Just limit her activity for a few days... she'll be fine and won't look back!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I personally would not get hung up on the amputation word either...sometimes things must be amputated no matter what. The issue at hand may be that there is no fix for whatever is bothering Callie and it may be a necessary surgery. She is not talking about this as if it is an elective surgery. The dew claw has been an issue for a while. I had a pup whose leg had to be amputated and he faired no worse than any of my other ortho surgeries in terms of the recovery process. I, of course, kept him on pain meds for a few days just as I am sure would be done for Callie if this dew claw must be removed.

If this dew claw has an issue that they cannot clear up, the surgery might be necessary. No pros and cons to be weighed. This, as I said, is not being discussed as an elective procedure....at least that is not how I have read it.

Yeah its definitely not elective. I would love for her no to have surgery and have it removed but if the vet feels that's all that's left to do then it will have to be done.

[Ellie May]

Taylor, I can only give you my vet's exerience with it. She says it has not been a very traumatic thing for her patients and she hasn't had major issues with them not wanting to use the keg for days.

It is just going to depend on the pup and the surgeon.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Taylor, I can only give you my vet's exerience with it. She says it has not been a very traumatic thing for her patients and she hasn't had major issues with them not wanting to use the keg for days.

It is just going to depend on the pup and the surgeon.

I appreciate that and thank you so much. Callie has had many things done to her and has done pretty well through all of them so I think she will be ok just I am a worry wort and hate her having to have more things done. Heck after her LP and ACL surgery she was toe touching the next day. I do worry that if she is going to keep having issues with it the surgery would be better then the pain from having problems all the time with it.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I appreciate that and thank you so much. Callie has had many things done to her and has done pretty well through all of them so I think she will be ok just I am a worry wort and hate her having to have more things done. Heck after her LP and ACL surgery she was toe touching the next day. I do worry that if she is going to keep having issues with it the surgery would be better then the pain from having problems all the time with it.

If she needs the surgery, she will be just fine! She is lucky to have you, Taylor!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

If she needs the surgery, she will be just fine! She is lucky to have you, Taylor!

Thank you. I feel lucky to have her

[Lovetodream88]

Ok sorry this is coming so late. The vet pulled her off of the oral fungal medicine she was taking and did x-rays and some cultures on it. Now we are supposed to soak her paw twice a day in the one medicine we have been doing, then put two drops of this new medicine on her dew claw and make sure she doesn't lick it until it dries after 5 to 10 minutes. We are supposed to do this for 10 days if there is no change we come back. The cultures come back in 3 to 7 days and if they come back with nothing that means its not a fungal and a few other things. X-rays showed everything was fine bone wise. We have decided if the cultures come back with nothing and then this medicine doesn't work that we are going to talk to them about removal of the dew claw because it is just going on to long and we have tried so many medicines that I don't think its fair to Callie to continue to go on with this swollen red dew claw when nothing is working.

[lynzy420]

Sad for Callie and her discomfort for you cuz I know you are worried and I know how hard it is to rest until your baby girl is better.

for your Vet who seems to be doing all the right things! Sounds like sound care and it sounds like you have a good plan of action. Your care of Callie is so thorough and I know she is in the best hands.

I hope this is all behind you both soon!!

[Lovetodream88]

Just an update the swelling is still about the same and the redness comes and goes.

[Lovetodream88]

Alrighty well the cultures came back negative on everything so we are going to continue what we are doing until Tuesday when the vet will call back to check on Callie. The dew claw has not been red in a few days and the swelling has gone down a little.