Dew claw snapped

[waferswafers]

We've owned our 8 year old rescue grey girl for just over a year now. She's a constant liablility, but we love her to bits!
Tonight's latest fiasco is that she's managed to get one of her dew claws caught, and snapped it off, close to where it grows from her front leg. To be fair, we've probably let it get a little longer than we should, so it was easier to catch on things. 
Its hanging by a thread, and was bleeding a little when it snapped. Looks like the blood has dried up now. What's the best course of action? I would try and trim it off, but she isn't happy about it (understandably!) and I'm concerned it may bleed a load more if I try it.
Best just to leave it? 

[gazer]

I would be inclined to snip it off if it's just hanging by a thread.  no she won't be very happy about you doing it but if you are quick and load her with treats afterwards if she won't take them before, then it'll be done before she knows it.

It may bleed a little, use a cloth or kitchen roll to hold it after cutting, telling her at the same time what a very brave girl she has been .  
If you get the scream of death, just carry on and try not to be too put off, she'll get over it

[waferswafers]

Thanks for the advice. Reckon we'll give it 24 hours, and if still an issue we'll nip it off. Made us (myself and my fiancee sat next to me) both raise a smile with the 'scream of death' thing. I guess it's not just our grey who wails when she panics then!

[Flaperoo]

Agh "the wail of death". It only happens if they are not dying

I too would cut if off, if it bleeds do above and make sure it is clean so it doesn't become infected.

Maryx

[waferswafers]

Well, we've bought the claw clippers (aren't Pets at home prices mental?!) and are still dragging our heels with this. Each time we touch the leg to hold it, she gets really grumpy and is continuing to lick the area. Biggest concern is it bleeding to high heaven if we do snip it off, as it's so close to where it grows from her leg. We'd be cutting high into the quick area.
Hmm, what to do....

[gazer]

If you're not confident about doing it just pop her off to the vet and they will snip it off for you, they've dealt with loads of torn dew claws so will be quick and matter of fact about it.  Shouldn't cost much either.

[animalslave]

I didn't notice Mayday had hurt hers for just over twenty four hours after she had done it and it got infected in that short a time so I really would get it sorted quickly for her sake as well as yours.

[waferswafers]

Thought I would update the thread with the outcome!
We ended up taking her into the vets the day after I posted on here. They nipped it right back - there's just a tiny stump left now, but it's healing great.
In the meantime, her happy tail got worse, ended up a right old mess where she kept licking it, and somehow pulling her buster collar off. Long story short, the vet has docked about 10cm from the end of her tail, and it looks to be recovering well. They're having her back in every 3 days or so for a dressing change, so it's being well monitored.
All I can say is, I'm glad we had some savings in the bank - greyhounds seem to have a habit of costing a fortune to maintain!

[gazer]

There's always something isn't there

Glad you got her dew claw sorted but sorry she's lost a bit of tail, hopefully it will continue to heal well and she'll have no further problems with it

Fingers crossed she can stay out of trouble for a bit and give your bank balance a rest

Thanks for the update

[just jackie]

Our vet is likely to just get a firm grip on the claw with forceps, tell me to hang on to the head, and pull of the offending item. He then checks to make sure there are no jagged bits left behind and that's that.

A tip for future mishaps if there are copious amounts of blood is to drench the area in cornflour. It helps to stop the bleeding and aid clotting.

Good luck with the tail, we have a stumpie here who had happy tail when she left the kennels. I thought I had gotten it to heal OK until she battered it again causing the abattoir effect all up the walls and doors. A second attempt seemed to be successful until I found the very tip of her tail on the floor one day. At that point we surrendered her tail and she joined the "stumpie" club. There are a few of them about.

[waferswafers]

May 17, 2013 16:39:22 GMT -5 just jackie said:

Our vet is likely to just get a firm grip on the claw with forceps, tell me to hang on to the head, and pull of the offending item. He then checks to make sure there are no jagged bits left behind and that's that.

A tip for future mishaps if there are copious amounts of blood is to drench the area in cornflour. It helps to stop the bleeding and aid clotting.

Good luck with the tail, we have a stumpie here who had happy tail when she left the kennels. I thought I had gotten it to heal OK until she battered it again causing the abattoir effect all up the walls and doors. A second attempt seemed to be successful until I found the very tip of her tail on the floor one day. At that point we surrendered her tail and she joined the "stumpie" club. There are a few of them about.

Thanks for the advice! I didn't intend to go into too much detail.. Let's just say our girl lost the very tip of her tail too, but the grim bit was that there was no trace of it afterwards... Let's just say she has a good appetite. Needless to say, a rush to the vets and proper docking of the part above it took place. I know what you mean about the 'abbatoir effect' too. Horrible to clean up isn't it?!

[julies]

Bless 'em

if she's not insured then please look into it .. they are very aciident prone and their thin skin tears easily There are quite a few threads on here about best insurance and I think most of us go with 'covered for life' policies.

Best wishes and welcome to Gap

Julie