Clean Run - December 2020 - 24

* When a dog turns, the dewclaw
digs into the ground to support
the structures of the limb and
prevent torque.

Some dogs also use their dewclaws to help them climb trees, get
out of the water, or hold items as
they chew.
If a dog does not have dewclaws,
there is a higher potential for the
carpal ligaments to stretch and
tear, which could result in laxity
and arthritis over time. This can
then result in more stress being
generated through the dog's carpus, elbow, shoulder, and spine as
it tries to compensate for the lack
of the digit.

The Research Behind
Digit Injuries

Metacarpal
bone

I
Sesamoids
(2 per toe)

Proximal (1st)
phalanx of digit
Middle (2nd)
phalanx of digit

V
III IV

Distal (3rd or
terminal)
phalanx of digit

A 2018 study of digit injuries found
that digit injuries were more likely
to occur in the front limbs (P<
24

Previous research has thought that our dog's third and fourth digit were
the most important due to their central location within the feet and due
to their length in comparison to other toes, but research has shown that
substantial weight is also placed on the fifth pad and on the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal pads. This observation was also
found within the present study, with digit 5 seeing the most frequent injury. The researchers suggested that forces applied when dogs are turning
at high speeds on the agility course may act as repetitive stressors to digits 3, 4, and 5, and that these digits may be of more importance to athletic
function than previously recognized.
Of particular note is the research found that the first digit (the dewclaw)
was at low risk of injury. The results of the study suggested that the removal of the dewclaws in the forelimb may be a risk factor for injury to
other digits. The front dewclaws may have a function in preventing torque
on the limb, and as such, the removal of dewclaws may predispose the
dog to injury.

Why Do Some Advocate Front Dewclaw Removal?
There are a number of reasons why someone may choose to remove front
dewclaws from their dog. Breeders may choose to remove dewclaws on
three- to five-day-old puppies, or owners may choose to remove front dewclaws later in life. This choice can be very personal and can vary between
owners, breeders, veterinarians, and dog breeds. So, what are some of
the reasons behind removal?
* A belief that front dewclaws are non-functional digits. For many years,
people believed that because the dewclaw's nail doesn't touch the
ground while the dog is standing, it must not have a real purpose.
Therefore, removal of the nail wouldn't impact the dog in any way. On
the other hand, rear dewclaws do not have any associated tendons
and are considered non-functional (though for some breed standards,
they may be required to be present).
* Breeders fear pet owners won't trim dewclaws or will miss them.
Some breeders fear that pet owners will miss the dewclaw when trimming their dog's nails and risk the nail becoming embedded or ripping.
* Cleaner front look. In the conformation ring, some breeders and owners feel that the dewclaw detracts from the dog's overall appearance.

2 bones make
up dewclaw

Ungal
process

0.001) than hind and that digit 5 (the outside digit) was the most frequently injured while the dewclaw (digit 1) was the least frequently injured.

* Risk of injury and fear of the dog ripping a dewclaw. Some people feel
that the dewclaw is an unnecessary risk and remove the nail to prevent potential injury.

How to Avoid Injury to the Dewclaw
Keeping the nail short is key to avoiding injury with dewclaws! Like other
toenails, the nail of the dewclaw needs to be trimmed regularly; however,
due to the dewclaw's location, the nail will not make contact with the
ground and will not wear down naturally like other toenails. Left untrimmed,
the nail can curve down and become ingrown, risking infection. An untrimmed dewclaw nail will also develop a longer quick, making it difficult to
maintain proper length. Long dewclaws also have a greater risk of catching
on things and risk injury. Speaking with vets, you may be surprised at how
few dewclaw injuries they see in dogs with well-managed nails.
Clean Run | December 20

Clean Run - December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - December 2020