Pebbles has an extra claw

[flintstones]

I hope you can see it in this image

It is the last claw to the right, you can see it is faded but it is as if the claw is in 2 bits? If that makes sense?

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I can just about see it, it does make sense. Is it like a fifth toe as well as claw?

Polydactyly - extra digits present from birth - are usually removed early on but some pigs are born with very firm extra toes and claws which vets may be reluctant to remove.

It looks like Pebbles' extra claw is quite firm and close to her normal toe/claw, probably not loose enough to create a problem.

 

[flintstones]

Should I trim it along with her normal claws? It looks to be coming from the same place as her other claw! Doesn't seem to upset just looks strange!

 

[Laura-CCC4]

So not an extra toe, just the nail?

If the nail is actually growing you should just be able to trim it the same as normal, hard to tell from the pic but it doesn't look loose so as long as you can trim it safely, holding it firmly as you clip, just treat it the same as any other claw.

 

[flintstones]

Seems to be just an extra claw... It is almost as if her current claw has split in 2 does that make sense?

 

[Laura-CCC4]

It does. The nail isn't brittle, is it, it doesn't seem weak - just nice and strong like the others? One of my girls had soft and brittle nails for a while after I adopted her 2 years ago, although it didn't cause problems and they toughened up fairly quickly.

 

[Niki]

Huxley has one Joanne; he has an extra toe, attached by a teeny bit of skin & i clip this nail the same as i do his others. It's never caused him a problem which is why i've never tied it off & i think it's prevalent in abys/aby mixes

 

[stargrrlclaire]

My abbyX has a foot spur, look them up and see if this is what it is!

 

[flintstones]

My abbyX has a foot spur, look them up and see if this is what it is!

I looked them up already but it is def a claw... coming from the same toe... 2 claws! Not hard Skin!

 

[alcesterpigs]

A split "claw" can be caused by a damaged nail bed. It is no more than an interesting curiosity, the condition may be permament or the damage may "grow out" and the nail return to normal.

This assumes that the nail is "split" and not the toe itself. If it is the latter then leave well alone.

 

[flintstones]

It is the nail that is split, well thats what it looks like anyway...

I'm presuming I just leave it alone and trim it along with her other claws when it grows! rolleyes

 

[alcesterpigs]

Short answer, yes!

 

[Goldie]

My Billy has an extra toe and nail but it is only dangling on from the foot and has no bone in it. Weird!

Genetic mishaps, I guess! :{