My dogs dew claw turned black, should it be removed?

[reveriereptile]

My english bulldog is always using her dew claws to permanently scratch your legs and digs at the ground while running in place if she is on her leash and sees another dog or person.

The last two times I clipped her nails which are normally clear to white colored I noticed both of the nails were cracked. This isn't the first time either I've noticed this. One of the nails just grew out with no problems. The other however cracked more and turned black. She doesn't act like it is hurting her at all.

My husband wants to take her to the vet and have it checked out. I was wondering if we should just have it removed. She is always cracking/splitting them and they are the worst nails when she jumps on you for scratching your legs up.

Does anyone know how much it might cost? She is almost 2 years old and around 49lbs.

 

[AinaWGSD]

At her age, it's an amputation of a toe (and bulldog dewclaws are usually firmly attached too). It will mean she will need restricted activity and bandages for at least a week after having them removed and it could be painful because they aren't just removing the nail, they also have to remove bone and skin. As for cost, that depends on vet costs in your area. Here the surgery would be a couple hundred dollars. Honestly, I'd just keep a closer eye on them and trim them more often. Especially if they don't seem to be bothering her.

 

[naturalfeddogs]

I would talk to a vet and get their thaughts on it. Going from white to black dosn't sound good, considering there was a crack there to start with. Could possibly be infection. Definantly get it looked at.

 

[reveriereptile]

We will definitely ask the vet about it and get it taken care of especially with her being an expensive dog. She has had the problem breaking them since she was a puppy and we trim her nails often due to her using them like daggers. Wasn't sure if it would be better for her to have them removed for her health.