Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
New dog claw biopsy method without removing the claw
By Mueller & Olivry·Published in Veterinary dermatology·1999·Animal Skin & Allergy Clinic, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Onychobiopsy without onychectomy: description of a new biopsy technique for canine claws.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with claw problems may need a biopsy to find out what's wrong, but traditional methods often involve removing part of the claw, which can be painful and stressful for pets and their owners. A new technique allows veterinarians to take a sample from the claw without having to amputate any part of it. This method is quicker and less invasive, leading to less discomfort for the dog. It provides the necessary information for diagnosis while keeping the pet's claw intact.
People also search for: dog claw problems · dog claw biopsy · non-invasive claw treatment · why is my dog limping on paw · dog nail issues
Abstract
Biopsies of the claw and microscopic examination of the claw matrix epithelium are usually necessary to achieve a specific diagnosis for most onychopathies in the dog. When claw biopsy specimens are required, distal onychectomy has been the method advocated. Distal onychectomy often meets with owner reluctance, necessitates a prolonged surgical procedure and results in postoperative pain and discomfort for the animal. The technique described herein yields appropriate samples of the claw epithelium. This procedure is rapid, elementary and avoids unnecessary amputation of the distal digits.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34644971/