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Dog sitting - Dew Claw crisis!!!

Treacle Toes

Treacle Toes

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I am currently dog sitting. I don't know how but the dog has managed to pull her dew claw nail out completely!

I was out in the garden, came back in blood everywhere and her claw on a chair :eek:

I cleaned her and the place up, she simply obeyed my command to stay and sat watching me.

She did not cry, yelp or bark...she was calm and sheepish.:hmm:

There was lots of blood but it has stopped bleeding now.

I washed the wound in saline and applied some antispetic cream before bandaging.

She was fine last night and is walking without problems .

When I changed the bandage today she was a little uncomfortable but is okay now.

A good friend (dog owner) and other sources on the net say that there isn't any need to take her to a vet as long as I keep her wound clean and infection free.

I am not planning on telling her owners yet as they just arrived to their holiday destination and I don't want to worry them. I am planning to pop into the rspca on Monday for their input also so that when I do tell her owners they know I have got a vet's opinion.

What do you think? Anything I can do?

Thanks in advance.
 
AFAIK dew claws do tend to come loose, get caught on things and generally be a bloody nuisance to the dog and its humans until the dew claw comes off of its own accord. BTW they grow back, just like toenails. Which is more or less what it is.

IMHO you've done exactly the right thing, and as there's nothing there to catch and get pulled now, the dog will probably be a lot happier. Until the next time. :)
 
Have you got the number for their vet? Mine is totally ok with just phoning for advice and mostly it's vet nurses on reception.

It'll probably be ok but I'd want to confirm that with a vet.
Get some hibiscrub. Our vet gave us some for free but you can buy it. We used it when Albert had dermatitis but also when he had a grass seed removed but make sure you dilute it.
 
Lucy, last night after her trauma, emergency first aid and her dinner. Super relaxed. :)

I though, had to stay up a while and self medicate with a few G&Ts to get over the shock. :D

02082013773 (2).jpg
 
I've not had any problems when one of my dogs has pulled part / whole nail off. Just stop the bleeding and let the dog look after it. :)

If the owners get shirty when they get back then blame then for not keeping the dogs claws trimmed. ;)

E2A: I thought that rear dew claws should be removed to stop the dog hurting itself when scratching. :hmm:
 
Rutita1 said:
sparklefish,

Thanks for the post.

I do not have the number for their vet and I am trying not to call them on holiday if I can help it.

This stuff? http://www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/p-1214-hibiscrub-medical.aspx

I can get some from the local pet store I hope.

Thank you for the post also Greebo. :)
Click to expand...

No worries.
Yep, that's the stuff. Think you can get it in chemists too.

Tbh I'm a bit surprised that they've gone on holiday without leaving vets details or telling you what they want you to do in this situation.

Maybe I'm too much of a worrier!
 
WouldBe said:
I've not had any problems when one of my dogs has pulled part / whole nail off. Just stop the bleeding and let the dog look after it. :)

If the owners get shirty when they get back then blame then for not keeping the dogs claws trimmed. ;)

E2A: I thought that rear dew claws should be removed to stop the dog hurting itself when scratching. :hmm:
Click to expand...

Not removed as standard anymore although they are more problematic in some breeds.
 
shes so cute!! :D

well done for being a good doggy nurse. Id say in future its useful to get the vet details from the owner before sitting on the dog.

A quick call to the vet (??any vet?!) would be a nice idea to put your mind at rest and then you can pass the official opinion onto her owners. When I have dogsat before I usually get a call to make sure everything is going OK but I usually stay at the persons house too so there is more that could go awry!

Can I reccommend spamming the pet thread with pictures :D
 
Regarding the vet's details etc...It didn't occur to me TBH, we are in touch by phone as they are only in Portugal. Hmm, will defo think of that next time. :)
 
Am gonna keep it to show the vet on Monday before disposing of it. :D

Seriously, I already have the souvenir/memory of opening the front door and seeing blood everywhere!!! All over the front room, the kitchen and passage...my first thought was, shit, she's killed the cat, then I remembered I don't have a cat :D Next thing was to put her on her lead and secure her to the living room door so I could find out what had happened without her following me around, spreading more blood everywhere...

I found THE CLAW :eek: in a pool of blood on a chair...it was like something from a horror movie. Also, thankfully she did this on a leather chair, not a fabric one so it cleaned up very easily. Uff, no more of that in the next 2 weeks please. :)
 
Callie said:
shes so cute!! :D

well done for being a good doggy nurse. Id say in future its useful to get the vet details from the owner before sitting on the dog.

A quick call to the vet (??any vet?!) would be a nice idea to put your mind at rest and then you can pass the official opinion onto her owners. When I have dogsat before I usually get a call to make sure everything is going OK but I usually stay at the persons house too so there is more that could go awry!

Can I reccommend spamming the pet thread with pictures :D
Click to expand...

Ours stayed at our house too so I left 4 pages of instructions. : o

How far do you travel for dogsitting Callie? Hmmm
 
The main thing you need to worry about with damaged claws is bleeding and infection. The bleeding isn't a problem but check it regularly for swelling and heat.
Click to expand...

Will do that sparklefish. :) It looked fine today, clean etc. Was obviously sore as she was weary of me touching it/flinching etc but like I said she is walking fine, no limp or anything.
 
sparklefish said:
Ours stayed at our house too so I left 4 pages of instructions. : o

How far do you travel for dogsitting Callie? Hmmm
Click to expand...
:D your two look ace! Id love to do it but I have kitties now so no point in house dogsitting if Id have to get a cat sitter! Its a shame cos I do like dogs and that was my opportunity to have one/some. Need a tiny cat flap fitable doglet.
 
Callie said:
:D your two look ace! Id love to do it but I have kitties now so no point in house dogsitting if Id have to get a cat sitter! Its a shame cos I do like dogs and that was my opportunity to have one/some. Need a tiny cat flap fitable doglet.
Click to expand...

I did remember after I'd posted that you now have cats. Why does the dog need to fit the cat flap? : D
 
Callie said:
:D your two look ace! Id love to do it but I have kitties now so no point in house dogsitting if Id have to get a cat sitter! Its a shame cos I do like dogs and that was my opportunity to have one/some. Need a tiny cat flap fitable doglet.
Click to expand...


chihuahua? :cool:

Am surprised the dog still has his back dew claws (mine doesn't), especially in a Spaniel as a lot of them are removed at birth. You can buy hibiscrub in boots btw. :)

Callie said:
cos then i could have a dog, im out at work all day and to my knowledge dogs cant use litter trays :hmm:
Click to expand...

You can train them to use them just fine - though they look a bit different to cat ones. :)
 
Thank you Dogwoman. Not my dog so can't answer as to why she still has them. I will talk about it with the owners when they get back. :)
 
Dogwoman said:
chihuahua? :cool:

Am surprised the dog still has his back dew claws (mine doesn't), especially in a Spaniel as a lot of them are removed at birth. You can buy hibiscrub in boots btw. :)



You can train them to use them just fine - though they look a bit different to cat ones. :)
Click to expand...
I guess youd need a massive one for a bernese mountain dog. No, nononono! no more pets at the moment.
 
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