122 CLAWS. 



Claws. 



Puppies are frequently born with dew claws ; sometimes 

 they are double. The dew claws are those small additamen- 

 tary ones situated on the inner side, one to each foot, distinct 

 from, and much above, the claws of the toes. They are fre- 

 quently unattached to any corresponding- metacarpal or meta- 

 tarsal bone, having only a ligamentary union ; but whether 

 there is any bony attachment or not, it is always prudent to 

 cut them off in a few days after birth, otherwise they become 

 very troublesome as the dog grows up ; for the nail attached 

 to the end of it frequently turns in and wounds the flesh ; or, 

 by its hook-like shape, it catches into every thing the dog 

 treads on. 



The horny claws are also subject, when dogs have not suf- 

 ficient exercise, to become preternaturally long, and, by turn- 

 ing in, to wound the toe, and lame the dog. The claws, 

 when become too long-, are often cut off with scissars ; but 

 unless the scissars used are very short and strong, they are 

 apt to split the claws. It is better, therefore; to saw them 

 off with a very fine and hard cockspur saw, and then to file 

 them smooth. 



The toes are also subject to a peculiar disease, in which 

 one of them will appear very highly inflamed, swollen, and 

 somewhat ulcerated, around the claw. In such a case the dog 

 employs himself in continually Hckin"' it, and which, instead 

 of doing good, as is supposed, always makes it worse. This 

 complaint is commonly mistaken for some accidental injury, 

 and the owner is surprised to find, that neither the dog's lick- 

 ing, nor his own attempts to make the toe sound, succeed. 

 The fact is, that this is simply a mang'y affection, and may be 

 readily cured by applying the sixth ointment directed for the 

 cure of mange, if it should, however, prove very obstinate, 

 the first ointment directed for Canker on the Outside of the 

 Ear may be then tried with confidence. In either case, the 

 foot must be sewed up in leather, to prevent the dog getting 

 at it ; taking particular care not to bind it up too tight : biit 



\ 



