YOU CAN'T DELCAW WITH LOVE
The decision to declaw your cat is very controversial. There are those
who say that when the surgery is performed properly, the cat is OK once
he is through the healing stage. But most animal welfare organizations,
and many veterinarians, are speaking out against this surgery. This procedure is even illegal in United Kingdom and many other countries.
And with the variety of available alternatives, such as Soft Paws vinyl
nail caps or behavior modification classes, declawing should only be
considered as a final option to euthanasia.
The claw of a cat is similar to the last phalanx, or bone, or a human
finger or toe. Declawing or Onychectomy -- is the surgical removal of
these bones from the cats' forepaws (most cases involve declawing only
the forepaws, although some people choose to have all four paws
declawed). The cat is given a general anesthetic, and the amputation of
the nail is accomplished with a guillotine nail cutter, which cuts
across the first joint and may also involve the footpad. The feet are
then tightly bandaged for two to three days to prevent hemorrhaging.
If
the bandages are put on too tightly, the foot may become gangrenous,
necessitating amputation; often, when the bandages are removed, the cat
will begin to hemorrhage, requiring re-bandaging.
A less invasive, and less common, procedure, called tenotomy or deep
digital flexor tendonectomy, sometimes is done, where the tendons
controlling the claws are severed without removing the claws.
Many cats suffer from complications after surgery. Obviously, for the
next few weeks, his paws will be so tender that his ability to walk and
jump will be drastically impaired. Some cats have been known to actually
walk on their hind legs to avoid using their painful forepaws.
Physical complications include partial regrowth of the nail due to the
fact that the entire nail bed was not removed, disfigurement of the
feet, lameness and "sequestrum." If a cat's nail is brittle or the
trimmer is dull, the bone may shatter, creating a sequestrum, which
serves as a focus for infection and continuous drainage from the toe.
It
can only be corrected by a second surgical procedure.
A 1994 study by the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine found that of
163 cats who were declawed, 50 percent had one or more complications
immediately after surgery. Of the 121 cats whose progress was followed
after surgery, 20 percent had continued complications, such as infection, bone protrusion into the pad of the
paw and prolonged intermittent lameness and abnormal stance (standing posture).
One of the most common behavior problems that arise after declawing is
the refusal to use the litterbox. The cat may associate the pain in her
paws to scratching in the litter box and begin to use the box
inconsistently or not at all. Ninety percent of cats with litter box
problems-after ruling out medical conditions-are declawed.
Some cats will undergo a profound personality change upon being
declawed. Frequently, the cat becomes distrustful of his owner and/or veterinarian. He may become extremely time or unusually aggressive, and
a declawed cat is more apt to bite if he feels threatened -- his teeth are now his only defense.
If you absolutely feel as though you would like a declawed cat, adopt
one who has already been declawed from your local shelter. There are
thousands of declawed cats waiting for loving homes.
There is no reason to declaw!!
Clip Your Cat's Nails
and
Use a Scratch post
There is a new product on the market called SoftPaws which is absolutely
wonderful! They are vinyl nail caps that help keep your cat's nails blunt and
harmless four to five times longer than routine nail trimming. The application
is painless and simple for your vet or you to perform.
Have your vet show you the first time and then do it yourself! They are very
cost effective and humane. They come in natural and other colors.
SoftPaws is a 4 step process:
1. Trim tip of cats nails
2. Fill nail caps 1/3 full with adhesive that comes with kit
3. Extend nails by gently pressing thumb on top with index
finder on bottom of paw- slide nail caps on
4. Hold cat for 1 minute to let set
That's it! It really is easy and does not hurt your wonderful companion.
