How do i spare my dog any more suffering!?

Oh dear.I can only say here what I would do .I would take a course on grooming to deal with the hair , and take her to the vets to have her claws clipped.The vet will know how to tackle her as they have to do this sort of thing all the time.I was a vet nurse a few years ago and we had all sorts of dificult customers ! Hopefully that will solve the problem there.My dogs back legs give way sometimes cos hes old (14) but I mage them in the evening from the back sideways down all round top of legs and around joints this has helped him a lot.His circulation I think is a bit dodgy these days.I do hope this helps you a little bit .xx