Wednesday, November 2, 2011

That Damn Dewclaw

My poor Nyxie has a split dewclaw.  We discovered her injury a couple of days ago when she was licking non-stop at her poor pitiful paw.  It's the front right paw, the same nail I clipped too short a few months past.  Surely this is my fault somehow.  Maybe cutting it too short made the nail weak, ergo the current state of affairs.  The poor pup has been licking and guarding her paw from Arwen and Fenway since it happened.  She hasn't cried out, and has been playing, eating and sleeping fine, but I know it bothers her.



We discussed lopping it off at work, but this would cause her undue stress and even if we removed the nail, the quick would be exposed and painful.  We decided to let it grow out a bit, aided by her licking, applying a natural antiseptic, and giving her daily anti-inflammatory meds.  She's just about worked it off, and the quick beneath it is slightly less raw.  There's no swelling and other ickyness.  



Although surely this has been hard on her, it's been killing me.  I can't bear the thought of her in pain.  I watch her and worry.  Then I watch some more and worry some more, hoping she'll lose that damn nail soon - it's hanging by a tiny thread!  That damn right front paw with that damn dewclaw.  Being a parent sucks sometimes.  She's the most sensitive of the three, really - the biggest bark and the softest heart.  The Cowardly Lion comes to mind.  She's been so brave through all this, though.

Maybe she'll share her Courage with me.

Please send positive, healing thoughts!  Also, I've added a new custom-order sign listing to my online store.  I'd love to make a sign for you and your pack...

16 comments:

  1. She's tough and she loves you. She knows you are doing everything possible. I tell my DH all the time it is hard being a doggy parent, but so worth it with the unconditional dog love.

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  2. Oh we hope it gets all better soon!

    Stop on by for a visit
    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com

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  3. OUCH! Hope the boo boo is all better soon. Extra hugs and kisses are on order!

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  4. Poor baby, They take what comes to them so much better than we do!!! Probably played too hard !!!
    You have our good healing thoughs!!!
    xx, Fern

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  5. Those darn dewclaws - they seem to cause so much trouble. We hope Nyxie's heals quickly and falls off. Mom hates it when we have any pain too. Guess that's what Moms are for.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara,and Lightning

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  6. Oh, I know how you feel. I clipped Katie's nail too short about a month ago and it bled for an hour! I finally had to wrap her entire paw up in a bandage. I don't think I could have felt worse if I'd accidentally clipped her entire toe off. I'm not sure whose going to do her toenails next time...it probably won't be me, I now have "Post Traumatic Toenail Disorder!" Hope Nyxie feels better soon. Jessie once ripped out her entire dewclaw chasing after a squirrel. The vet bandaged it up, and it healed up just fine.

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  7. Oh Nyxie! I have the same owie! I'm limpin' around lookin' all pitiful. Antiseptic is a good idea. Poor us.

    -Ruby

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  8. Riley can definitely commiserate with you, Nyxie...she's had two split claws before (she doesn't have dew claws) and has had to have them both cut off because they bled so much. Lucky you don't have to have yours cut off though.

    Keep taking care of it and it'll grow out in no time. Riley actually has a fractured claw right now but since she's being confined in the crate, she probably won't break it off further and have to have it cut off this time...phew!

    Elyse and Riley

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  9. Poor baby, hope it gets fixed
    Benny & Lily

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  10. Awww! So sorry about your nail! My mommy hasn't yet had to trim mine 'cause of all the digging I do. Heh. Poor Nala though -- she has hers trimmed about once a month.

    Hope you're feeling better soon, Nyxie!

    Woofs & hugs, <3

    ~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

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  11. Sending White Dog Army healing energy to Nyxie that the annoying and painful dewclaw is better soon. We also send soft woos of comfort to mom in reassurance that all will be fine and that she mustn't fret! Life is good.

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  12. AWW! I love that biggest bark, softest heart! Sounds like McIver! I've noticed that neither of my boxers have dewclaws. They were removed I suppose. McIver's is just in the way. It's weird looking I guess. What is the word from the Vet world about those things?

    Mamma Heartbeat

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  13. Nyxie, I'm sorry you have an owie. :( Sounds like you're doing a good job at keeping it clean and it's on the mend! :) Paws crossed it gets all the way better very very soon!

    Waggin at ya,
    Roo

    Thanks so much for stopping by on my special day to wish me a Happy One! :) Together we raised a nice lil sum for my shelter. Wahoo!

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  14. Yes, it is so hard to see them in pain. Oh, we sure hope she feels better real soon!

    PS - love your new header photo!

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  15. Lots of love and licks from me.

    Dew claws are a PAIN!! I ripped one stretching up a tree in the garden after a squirrel but I'm all better now.

    Winnie

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