Dew Claw Removal......

[remington300mag]

So, Santa is bringing my kids a Yellow Lab for Christmas morning!! I was informed today that Ms. Clause didn't get the dew claws removed from the puppies and now they are 7 weeks old! My question is, at the age of 6 to 8 weeks old, what is it going to cost me to get the dew claws removed?!?!?!

Thanks for any input!

SAM

[Rick]

Why get them removed? My lab didn't have hers removed and she hunted hard for 10+ years. Never had any issues with them.

Just keep them trimmed.

[krout81]

You will pay the cost of putting it under, and about 70 bucks for snip and stich.  If you plan on doing do it now.  They base it off of pounds for the anesthetic.  If you are getting it spade/neutered do it at the same time only got to pay one time to put it under.

[Lee Root]

Removal at this time is an amputation.  It should have been done at no later than 2-3 days old. It can cause problems if your dog injures  the dew claw.  As in if they catch the claw while hunting in shale slides.  

[Hyde]

I have had several labs in my life, a few that had them removed, and one that didn't.  It's just my opinion, but I prefer them to be removed.   They can really rake the hell out of you (or kids) with those damn things when you are rough housing.  My buddy's lab would constantly rip his, causing bleeding and potential infection.  I would pay the price, and now. 

[quadrafire]

Leave them be. They can always be removed later if they are causing a problem

Removal at this time is an amputation.  It should have been done at no later than 2-3 days old. It can cause problems if your dog injures  the dew claw.  As in if they catch the claw while hunting in shale slides. 

[ashersdad]

I breed hunting labs and hve decided that removing the dew claws is not nessesary. If u keep them trimed they do fine my male is a wild man when hunting and has never had a problem with his dew claws

[krout81]

It is so easy to take them off when they are 2 days old.  I sold 4 litters of lab retrievers in the last 6 years, and 20 litters of Springers when I was younger with my parents.   Surgical clamps on all 4 or 2 depending, wait a sec then snap it off with your finger. 
Why not just do it if you are a breeder?

[ashersdad]

i use to remove them but I dont see a need so i stoped

[ashersdad]

And let me clarify I am not breeder by trade just a hobby.  I have 2 to 3 litters a year…I was just stating my opion..

[krout81]

cool beans

[remington300mag]

Ok, well thanks for the info..... I wish the gal would have had it done that is selling us the pup, but she didn't! SO I figure I will just have it done when I get it snipped! She also told me tonight that the pup only has them on the front....no dew claws on the back. Is that normal? Or do they usually have them on the back as well?!?!

[krout81]

All the lab/retrievers we had only had 2 on the front.  The English springer spaniels had 4 most of the time. 

[Wile E. Hunter]

Your dog could go its whole life without a problem from them...... But if there is a problem, and it's likely there will be, it can be a painful one that will be bad for your dog. Get them removed now and it'll be handled. I've seen a couple of dogs rip their dew claws while hunting and otherwise, and it's not good.

Wile E.

[Stilly bay]

dew claw removal is such an easy solution to a potentially major problem. thats why it is standard practice for working and hunting dogs to have them removed at a couple days of age. its all well and good to think it isn't necessary but once a major problem occurs with them its an expensive somewhat serious surgery to correct.

Dew claws are like an appendix. the dog doesn't need them but they can cause some serious problems if left intact. dew claws are attached to a tendon like the dog's other toes, I have seen dew claws get ripped and they take that tendon with them.

IMO if I was puppy shopping and came across a breeder that didn't remove dew claws , I would take my money and run. I don't care how good the bloodlines are and how good mom and dad are and how cheap the pup is. if the breeder skimps on such an easy/inexpensive thing to do it makes you wonder what other corners they cut.  its kinda like going to a restaurant and checking out the bathroom before ordering... the food may be good but if the bathroom is filthy, it just makes you wonder what else is being neglected.

but then again it seems like common practice these days to save some bucks up front and take it up the arse down the road.