The article, “Changes in the Toes and Nails of the Giant Schnauzer”, caught my eye because in the late '70s our first male Giant, Geffroi, developed an infection of the toenail bed that started with one toe and eventually included every nail on all four paws. Five Giants followed Geffroi into our lives—two of which also experienced toe and nail problems. Our current Head Boy Giant is missing two toes but as the article points doesn’t appear to notice their absence.

The authors, Keil and Draeger are correct when they suggested that there is a dearth of information about the subject in American Veterinary literature. Beyond the P& S magazine article, I've only seen one other article on the subject of claw disorders. Entitled “Lupoid Onychodystrophy in Dogs”, it appeared in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (May/June 1995, Vol, 31) and describes an infection of the toe nail beds affecting all the claws.

This article is available for review on line under Canine Claw Disorders via Google. The authors of the article point out that “Claw disorders of the dog are the focus of very few publications in veterinary medicine. This paucity of published information is, in part, due to the fact that claw disorders rarely are encountered as the sole manifestation of dermatological disease in dogs. In addition, the definitive diagnosis of claw disease often requires the surgical amputation of the third phalanx of an affected digit. Many owners, understandably, are hesitant to have this done to their pets.”

I have never seen anything in print concerning inter-digital cancers or cancer of the toes or toenail beds. However I know of a number of Giants besides mine that have had inter-digital melanomas removed as well as toes due to squamous cell carcinoma.

It would be most interesting to hear from Giant Schnauzer owners with dogs that have experienced nail and toe disorders of any kind. If there is enough of a response perhaps we can include a review of the replies in the Giant Hotline. I’m not expecting lengthy case histories but would appreciate information such as:

• color and sex of the dog
• age of the dog at the onset of the problem
• description of the progression of the problem
• veterinary diagnosis
• prescribed treatment
• success of the treatment
• did the problem reoccur or did any other problems involving the toe and nails crop up later?

You can e-mail me at: ELagree@htcomp.net
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