I have 18 dogs in my house and have 20 buried at the Humane Society cemetery and have raised I can't tell you how many and they all have dew claws removed by a vet. They have no problem turning while chasing a bumper, climbing on fences, tearing down things from the clothes line, running full speed ahead and turning without a problem. I have had no issues with infection, pastern problems or any problems and I had a 15 year old bitch who had two toes removed from a rear let and had no problem walking and the surgeon said that so long as the pad is there she is ok and was till 16. So we do them and will do them and hog wash on all of that. And they never lost a meal or sleep over having them done. Ellie Oh and they have no problem holding a bone or keeping it from another dog
I am too lazy to take the puppies in to have them removed. Use to do it all the time. None of my dogs have been better off with them on or removed in terms of showing, hunting or playing.
If you remove them, you can send them in for an EIC test.
Personally, I do not remove mine. I believe "if it ain't broke...". Labs are such natural dogs! I do keep them trimmed regularly.
Does anybody have any history on how this proceedure started and became almost routine?
