Declawing Dogs

Question
My aunt has a medical condition that causes any cuts or stratches she has to severely infect and she often ends up in the hospital because of this.  She lives for her young puppy Twister who she has had for just under a year now.  After her first dog, Bonnie died she was devastated and she didn't even begin to perk up at all until she got Twister.  Twister is well-behaved and doesn't jump on people, but he does sleep in the same bed as my aunt and she does everything with him.  Sometimes his nails cause him to scratch my aunt and the scratches usually infect.  We cannot seem to prevent this no matter how short we keep his nails or how often they are clipped (of course we never overdo it, our intentions are never to hurt him) My mother has decided to investigate getting his nails removed which has my aunt worried.   She asked me to help her find out if this is possible and if it is safe.  We do not want to hurt Twister at all, but we also don't want my aunt to have to lose him.  

By the way Twister is a chihauhua.  Thank you for your time.  

Answer
Hi Kendra.  

You need to find a better pet for your aunt.  No vet in his right mind would declaw a dog. Its not the removal of the nail but the first digit of each finger.  

You may want to look into an already declawed cat from the shelter for a pet for her. Chihuahua's are high engery and are not the right pet for someone immune compromised.

Sorry.