313 



CUTTING OF CLAWS AND SCALING OF TEETH. 



Puppies are frequently born with dew claws ; sometimes they 

 are double. The dew claw is attached to a rudiment, more or less 

 developed, of an additamentary phalange or toe, situated on the 

 inner side, one to each foot, distinct from, and considerably above, 

 the other toes. These additamentary toes are frequently un- 

 attached to any corresponding metacarpal or metatarsal 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 claw or nail attached to the end of each 

 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 or nails of the true toes are also subject, 

 when dogs have not sufficient exercise, to become preternaturally 

 long, and, by turning in, to wound these toes likewise, and lame 

 the dog : such claws, when grown too long, are often attempted 

 to be cut oflF with scissors ; but unless the scissors used are very 

 short and strong, they are apt to split the horn. It is better, 

 therefore, to saw them off with a very fine and hard cock-spur 

 saw, and then to file them smooth; avoiding to cut them too 

 close, or the vascular part may be entered on, and much unneces- 

 sary pain given to the animal. Some dogs require their nails to 

 be cut every two or three months, or even oftener, otherwise 

 they become very lame. Occasionally one claw is found to be 

 surrounded by a swollen and ulcerated portion of toe, as is fur- 

 ther enlarged on in Mange. The subject is only introduced here 

 for the purpose of observing, that, when such a case has proved 

 very obstinate, I have sometimes found that the insertion or root 

 of the claw has itself become morbid, and then has assisted to 

 keep up the irritation ; in which instance it is necessary to the 



