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Can my dog's floppy rear dew claws be removed with local anesthesia?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 5 months and 10 days old | 38 lbs

Can rear floppy dew claws be removed with a local anesthetic rather than full blown surgery?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 27th, 2018

Just because the rear dew claws are floppy is not a good enough reason to remove them. Should your dog hurt them frequently they can be removed when needed. Dew claws can be removed under local anesthetic provided the dog is quiet enough to hold still during the procedure. Most vets will not do this procedure unless general anesthesia is applied.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 24th, 2018
Usually, when removing a dew claw (dew claws are only on the rear legs, the ones breeders want to remove in the front are the thumbs of the dog, and enable the dog to hold on to something rather than to just hold it down), we amputate the whole claw, ie all the bone. Sometimes this involves the pad (not all dogs have a pad there) and sometimes not. If the pad is to be removed then this needs to be done under anesthesia and the pad will be excised. If the breeder did that without anesthesia it would be cruel.
There is no medical indication to remove dew claws and thumbs. This is a rule breed organisations require, so depending on where the dog is registered, a pad may have to be removed or not.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Is my dog too old for dew claw removal, or is there an age limit?

Typically, dew claws are removed around 3-4 days of age. If the claws are not removed at this age, most experts suggest waiting until the dog is spayed/neutered to have them removed. Dew claws can be removed in older dogs but it is a more costly and painful procedure. Many vets will only remove dew claws in adult dogs for medical, rather than cosmetic, reasons. If you have an older dog, contact your veterinarian to discuss the reasons for or against removal of the dew claws and the cost of the procedure which must be done under anesthesia.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's dew claw is angled strangely. Is surgical removal costly?

Removing the dew claw is not hard, but it is a surgical procedure requiring anesthesia. Costs of procedures vary between clinics and the area you live in, so I'd call local clinics to get an idea of the cost. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's ingrown dew claw: Can I remove it at home safely?

Morphine should never be used without a full veterinary prescription or outside of the clinical setting where he can be fully monitored and assessed. This is not suitable for such a procedure and should not be attempted. Morphine alone will not give sufficient pain relief or sedation for this procedure but would have significant risks of severe vomiting, reduced respiration and possible blood pressure effects. If it is too painful to be clipped while conscious he should be assessed by your vet and sedated under supervision

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Can an old, overweight dog have a cyst removed with local anesthetic?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! That will depend on the veterinarian seeing the patient and also the tolerability of the patient with the procedure. Generally, that is not the case and at least a mild sedative is required. Most patients do fine with anesthesia. In reality even if under anesthesia or sedation, that would be a very quick removal. Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What are the pros and cons of getting my dog's dew claws removed?

Yes. Back dewclaws do not serve a purpose anymore and tend to get caught and torn from their angle and never hitting the ground. They cause more damage than they are worth. The front dewclaws are personal preference as they do not have as many problems.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Can 3-month-old puppies get dew claws removed for dog shows?

This will depend on what organization's dog shows you are wanting to participate in, since each one has its own rules and regulations about what is acceptable. But in general, dew claws can be removed if they are a problem - this is very common with show dogs in the United States.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is missing a dew claw. Is it a problem? Do dogs need them?

He can live with out and most people have them removed as puppies as they tend to cause problems for some. the nails never touch the ground so the nail can get ingrown and long and scratch easy or get caught in blankets and rugs when laying down. They serve no purpose to a domestic animal

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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