RE: [pyrnet] Dew claws

["Viney, Bethany" <Bethany.Viney@tdstelecom.com>]

Please do NOT have dew claws on a Pry removed.....this is critical to their
physical composure and as stated below, are extremely painful if removed.
My Pyr, Czar, tore out his front dew claw about 6 weeks ago outside, (I am
presuming on a fence) and he ripped it out from the base inside the skin; he
has been on antibiotics for 6 weeks to clear up the infection, and
thankfully, it is now finally gone.  However, the vet said his dew claw will
never grow back, and if the infection didn't heal, the entire toe would have
to be surgically removed.  My vet already knew it is wrong to remove dew
claws on a Pyr.....she has extensive experience with Pyrs and knows and
understands the breed very well....

Beth, Czar and Raisa in Rural Wisconsin

-----Original Message-----
From: Renilda Van Aerden [mailto:rvanaerd@ucalgary.ca] 
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 10:55 AM
To: Pyrnet-l
Subject: [pyrnet] Dew claws


PLEASE, DO NOT LET YOUR VET REMOVE DEW CLAWS ON A PYR!!!!!

A lot of breeds that have dew claws are easily removed, as the dew claws sit
on a fleshy pad.  BUT a pyr's dewclaws are actually build on a bone
structure.  Removing dew claws on a pyr is AMPUTATION, and is very painful.
A vet who is suggesting removal of the dew claws has NO experience with
Great Pyrenees!  This is scary!  Of course, if a dew claw becomes injured,
then treatment is necessary, but for a vet to suggest removing dew claws
'out of convenience' is totally wrong.

When I took my pyr puppy to the vet for neutering, I automatically informed
him that his dew claws were NOT to be removed, as some vets may do this
without informing the owner.

Reni and Claude