Take care with tails and dew claws

Mirrored from the AVA website at
http://www.ava.com.au/content/avj/oct96/325.htm

Tail docking is controversial within our profession but not illegal.

Practitioners who choose to continue to dock tails should be aware that haemorrhage and death following dew claw and tail removal in young puppies has been a source of client complaint and insurance claims.

Rottweilers are a particular concern because owners of this breed often request that all four dew claws as well as the tail be removed.

Minor bleeding from five sites can result in the loss of a significant volume of blood in small puppies.

In terms of risk management the following points should be considered:

• While the profession is generally comfortable with the benefits of hind dew claw removal in young puppies compared with the risk, this is not the case with tail docking or routine removal of normal dew claws from the front legs.
• Always inform owners of the elective nature of tail docking and front dew claw removal and discuss with them the risks compared with potential benefits.
• Ideally it is best to avoid surgical tail docking at the same time as dew claw removal if more than two dew claws are to be removed.
• Avoid doing any docking or dew claw removal on weak puppies or those younger than 3 days old. Older puppies should be anaesthetised for the procedure.
• Be sure that haemostasis has been achieved before the puppies leave your practice and ensure that the puppies will be watched for several hours following surgery in case there is any recurrence of bleeding.
• Coagulopathies due to immaturity or genetic defects in young puppies are a risk that needs to be considered and appropriate precautions taken. Blood for transfusion should be available if required.

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View a tail docking done by an Accredited Docker and see for yourself what
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