[featherbottoms]

We have two old chows, both just over 13 years old. On both dogs their front feet appear to be collapsing and they walk more on the backs of their feet, if that makes sense. They look like they have long shoes on with the toes kinda flapping. Also their inside toes are turning in toward the middle. Neither dog is, or has ever been, overweight. We also have a little mutt dog the same age but his feet are normal and don't appear to be changing. Both chows, and one more than the other, seem be having difficulty walking - one kind of tiptoes around on his front feet and the other staggers a lot and has really bad balance (but he also has spinal arthritis and dementia so he has problems walking anyway - his toes turn in way more than the other). Neither dog will let us trim their nails anymore.

I wondered if this is a trait of Chows. Any insight on what to expect as they get older, and it becomes more difficult for them to walk.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Dodgegal79]

It may be a chow trait. The chows are different then other dogs, if you look at their back legs, they are almost straight, something with the tendona. The tendons on teh front maybe getting weak with age. No idea what the future will hold for them, have you tryed a dremel to do there nails, or the new softpaws, i think thats what it is called.

 

[GoldenMom]

Neither dog will let us trim their nails anymore.

I think this is a big part of the problem. Long nails are bad in a young dog, but disasterous in an old one. They cause a lot of the changes you are describing. If they won't let you trim the nails perhaps your vet trims nails (I know that *I* trim A LOT of nails!).

 

[Dodgegal79]

As GoldenMom says, she is probably right, the nails. Sometimes they will let someone else trim them when they won't let you.

 

[frogmammy]

My Chow-mix would tolerate nail trimming better if a lot of people were standing around petting her while her nails were done...it's a Chow thing. You might try it though...it's an adoration-thing.

Mon

 

[Willowynd]

I agree...overgrown nails will ruin feet on a dog and makes it difficult for them to walk comfortably. If they won't tolerate nail clipping, then maybe they will do fine with a dremel- try one toe at a time while sitting watching tv on the sofa (or some other forbidden place they would be excited to be) and/or give them treats. I start my dogs by not even touching them with it. I will just sit on the sofa with the tv on and the dog next to me and turn it on. Once they are used to the sound, I will lightly touch one nail- then put it away. I work from there. BUT if the nails are bad enough right now that they are causing walking issues, I would start by taking them to the vet to get them trimmed. Once they are trimmed, then you can keep up on it with the dremel or clippers by clipping just a teeny bit daily on one or 2 nails each day.

 

[featherbottoms]

Thanks everyone.

I had hoped it would be something other than their nails. It's terribly stressful for them to have their feet and nails touched. They've never been dogs to let you touch them very much. They do like attention - just at their own place and time. They are also deaf now and it seems they are more skittish and jumpy. And one dog is just terribly afraid of anything out of the normal - this has gotten really bad since he can't hear anymore - and it's hard to watch him become so scared (he was the alpha dog for many years).

However, we will see what we can do for both them. My husband is off for two days so just maybe we can get a little done on both their front feet and then a little more and then a little more. Hopefully we can get them done in the next couple of weeks without causing either dog too much discomfort and stress.

The only way the vet has handled either dog was to totally sedate them first. I wouldn't think that's a good idea now as old as they are so I wonder how they would trim nails on dogs like that?

We will try. Thanks again.

PS: I do not know what softpaws is and the only dremel I know about is those little woodworking tools. We just have regular dog nail clippers.

 

[frogmammy]

I use a cordless dremel on my dogs. There's a place online...search for Dober Dawn...that shows step by step how to dremel a dog's nails. VERY good site and how a LOT of people learn how to do it! It really is MUCH easier on both dog and human than using clippers is.

On to the Chow part....one thing you might try is cream cheese...dogs seem to love it! Takes two people. Dog on side laying down, the trimmer at dog's back. Other person (feeder) in front of the dog with cream cheese and a spoon. Feeder takes a TINY..pea-sized or less!...bit of cream cheese on tip of spoon and holds it for the dog to lick off...licking only, allowed! Does this a few times so the dog "gets in the spirit", then the trimmer starts slowly and gently trimming...with lots of rests...so as not to spook it...while the feeder distracts the dog. Do **NOT** try to cut off too much of the nail at one time!!! You will see on the Dober Dawn site how much to take off.

Mon

 

[featherbottoms]

Well, I ordered a Dremel today with an extra sanding set. It should be here by the time my husband is off next week and we can start working on dog toenails.

Maybe Dremels and cheese will turn into a ritual around here

Thanks everyone.

Deb.

 

[Willowynd]

Your welcome. Keep us posted. BTW I find the sanding drums are faster and more durable. I used to go through those sandpaper rings like water. One drum lasts me over a year with all my crew and it works faster- only 1-3 seconds per nail once you get it down.