Declaw

Since I'm doing two declaws today, I figured I'd make this my first entry.

I'm not a fan of declawing cats. That's not to say I won't do it when requested, but I do try to talk people out of it. Any readers in the UK will note that it's actually illegal to declaw a cat in the UK. Different states (California included) are considering outlawing declaw procedures as well.

Here's the thing - cats have claws. They're born with them. They use them. One thing you have to consider when you get a cat is how much you REALLY like your furniture. They may very well do some damage. But they're cats.

My personal decision is to just live with it. I still get grumpy and scold the cats when I see them damaging something, but I also accept that it's part of my life with my cats.

Others feel that they want to enjoy life with a cat and if the cat destroys something, they can no longer enjoy the cat and would have to "get rid" of it. Proponents of declawing argue that if a little surgery is required to keep a cat in a loving home, so be it.

Declawed cats should not be outdoor unsupervised. Period. Think long and hard about if you want your cat to be indoor only or indoor/outdoor. Declawed cats aren't helpless. They can still use those back claws to fight or climb, but they are at a significant disadvantage and it's not fair to them.

There are options to declawing:

Soft Paws - These are little kitty nail caps. They go on similarly to fake nails on people. You have to change them out every 6 weeks, but most cats don't mind them and you can get them in all kinds of fun colors. This way your cat can be color coordinated to the home! You can even give them special colors to be more festive during a holiday season. Some cats are personally offended at the idea of colors, so they might prefer clear nail caps.

Nail trimming - If you start working with them as a kitten, this is much easier. You'll probably have to trim the nails every 2-3 weeks. You can't use human nail clippers! Especially on big nails. Kitty nails are laminar and if you clip them with human clippers you'll just cause it to shatter. Use sharp kitty clippers instead.

Scratching posts/kitty furniture - you can find all kinds of devices geared to help distract your cat and get them to scratch on their own toy instead of your furniture. There are sissal pads you can hang, cardboard blocks, and even GIANT carpet covered kitty houses. (If anyone has a good experience with one type of scratching accessory over another - let us know!) I've even built one myself. Put it in a location the cat wants. You may have to move it from time to time in order to get the cat interested again. Cover the thing in kitty weed (catnip) if necessary. A stoned kitty is a happy kitty! The little sissal blocks are convenient because you can hang or set up those right next to the area the cat is scratching (i.e. hanging it on the couch arm).

Declaw procedure:

Declawing a cat involves amputation of the last bone in the toe. This bone is very small in a kitty and the nail grows from this bone. I'll try to find some pictures. There are several techniques to accomplish the declaw, but the end result is that the last bone is amputated and the resulting defect in the toe is closed with either glue or sutures.

I've had the opportunity to use a surgical laser on declaws over the past two years. I'll NEVER go back! If you need to declaw, definitely seek out someone using the laser for the procedure. It's dramatically better. Less pain, less bleeding. They do great! If it weren't for the laser, I think I would have sworn off declaws all together three years ago.

Let's talk pain - This procedure hurts. There's no way around that. The standard of care for these guys is to use local anesthesia so they do not feel the foot for several hours post-op. This only lasts 12 hours if the right drugs are used. Declaw cats MUST be on some kind of narcotic pain medication. Some hospitals use a patch that provides continuous doses of a narcotic called fentanyl. Others use a drug called buprenorphine. This is a very popular drug in kitties.

I also use a drug called Metacam. It's an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and as such, you have to be careful with it in kitties. In europe, Rimadyl is also labeled for cats. This drug in combination with a narcotic is fabulous. Many practitioners are still very wary of NSAIDS in cats of any kind and will not use them for safety concerns. I use the drug in small doses and find it very safe.

When your kitty comes home from a declaw they MUST BE IN A RESTRICTED ENVIRONMENT. Many hospitals will keep them for several days post-op as well. If they are allowed to jump or run around they WILL cause problems. Make sure you give the pain medications are prescribed and don't stop early. This is an amputation, remember. They deserve the pain medications.

Occasionally some kitties have chronic pain associated with the procedure. Other complications include infection in the toe, bleeding, or refusing to use the litter box. You must change the litter to something like compressed paper or shredded paper. Clay, clumping, or dusty litter will only cause crud to get stuck up in the toe.

Once they heal most cats do just fine.

Talk at ya soon.

AMH