Curled dew claws

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This topic has 9sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 4 months ago by Kat9055.

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- 05/19/2021 at 2:56 PM
  Kat9055
  Participant
  58 posts
  One of my bunnies, Penelope, has been indoor only (never on wires and has a huge enclosure) since I got her at a few months old. I have trimmed her claws semi-regularly, but she has had curling dew claws since I got her. The older she gets (6 years old now), the worse they curl into her pads, even when I clip them 2x/month. I am worried they cause her pain, since rabbits hide pain so well. I can’t even clip them easily anymore, so I am taking her to her yearly vet appointment and will ask them. They earliest they can see her is June 10th. They say she made need those claws removed.
  
  Does anyone have any advice or have had their rabbits dew claws removed? It seems like a huge expense, especially during such hard economic times, and putter rabbits under anesthesia makes me nervous (she’s only been under to get spayed years ago), but her comfort is important to me!
- 05/20/2021 at 5:51 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  Unfortunately, I have no experience. It is unusual that the dew claw continues to curl more, despite frequent trimmings. Typically over time, it gets more better. I would defer to a rabbit-experienced vet, so if you are trusting and know that your vet is knowledgeable and has expertise in doing this, it sounds like this may be the best plan long-term, instead of her constantly having her nail grow into the pad.
  
  Is it possible to get a photo to see the degree to which this is happening?
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
  - 05/20/2021 at 10:31 PM
    Kat9055
    Participant
    58 posts
    My vet “sees” rabbits, but there aren’t any nearby vets that specialize in them. If they can’t figure it out, they recommended I go to another vet 2 towns over who has more experience, but even they don’t specialize in rabbits. I never had an issue finding experienced exotic vets before!
- 05/20/2021 at 10:13 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17027 posts
  Dewclaws can end up with a bit of a hook on them. I agree, do you have a picture so we can see how bad it really is?
  - 05/20/2021 at 10:29 PM
    Kat9055
    Participant
    58 posts
    My vet “sees” rabbits, but there aren’t any nearby vets that specialize in them. If they can’t figure it out, they recommended I go to another vet 2 towns over who o has more experience, but even they don’t specialize in rabbits. I never had an issue finding experienced exotic vets before!
    
    *this was supposed to be a reply for the comment one up. I am on Android and the forum isnt optimized for my phone, so there is overlap in hyperlink
- 05/20/2021 at 10:15 PM
  Kat9055
  Participant
  58 posts
  I’ll have my husband help take pictures. I haven’t been as consistent cutting them the past year, but they are really difficult to/scary to cut now.
- 05/20/2021 at 11:59 PM
  Kat9055
  Participant
  58 posts
  It’s really hard to get a picture of, so hopefully these show it. It doesn’t look as bad as it feels and she is super squirmy (she used to be super skittish, but is better now). It doesn’t completely curl into her foot, but it still seems uncomfortable and it is at an angle when she is standing on it.
  
  https://photos.app.goo.gl/xmc2vmfrGcutoenY6
  
  https://photos.app.goo.gl/avZccinfWuAsGdtP6
- 05/21/2021 at 7:33 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17027 posts
  They don’t look that bad to me. Like I said, they will sometimes get a bit of a hook on them. As long as they aren’t curving around in a circle to the point where they could grow into the skin, I think you’re OK. It is hard to cut those too. I usually have to do it by feel.
- 07/17/2021 at 8:31 PM
  Jadeo09
  Participant
  83 posts
  They look quite common kind has had curly claws since we got her but they do improve. A good light really helps when cutting nails to make sure you avoid the quick. If you cut little and often it apparently shrinks the quick so it would be worth persevering with.
- 07/17/2021 at 9:52 PM
  Kat9055
  Participant
  58 posts
  Thanks everyone! I took her to a vet and they weren’t as bad as I thought, which was a relief! It’s still stressful cutting them, so I appreciate everyone’s advice and techniques.
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