Declawing Question

Lopin · 06-05-2007, 02:21 PM

I had an appt set up with my vet to have our cat who is 7 or 8 yrs old declawed in the front because he is wrecking the doors in the house from scratching them!

Today I get a call saying that they will not declaw after they turn a year old.

Thoughts on this? Is this a common thing or do I have to look for a different vet?

wildcat180 · 06-05-2007, 02:24 PM

Quite honestly, declawing, in general is a harsh thing to do. It's an amputation. The older the cat, the harder it is on them. Think of it like this, cutting off the first knuckle of your finger. Would that be easier to handle when you're older or younger?

If you're set on having it done, another vet would be the way to go. Or ask your vet if he has some alternative suggestions.

Lopin · 06-05-2007, 02:26 PM

Don't get me wrong, I love my cats dearly, but they're certainly not going to buy new doors for the house after they wreck them, are they?

SueBee · 06-05-2007, 02:30 PM

If you haven't tried them, http://www.softpaws.com/, these things can help a lot.

This website, http://www.catscratching.com/, is a little over the top (OK, a lot) about declawing, but it really can lead to worse behaviour.

IndiaMom · 06-05-2007, 02:30 PM

I agree with Wildcat on this one. Declawing is, in reality, a partial digit amputation. I've actually witnessed the surgery (ex is a vet). The vet takes a pair of clippers and whacks off the top portion of the toe that contains the claw.

Many vets refuse to perform declaws at all.

Have you considered the nail caps or behavior modification (like spraying the cat with water when it claws inappropriately)?

My oldest cat is declawed. I had this performed before I understood what the surgery entailed. I've used behavior modification on the rest of my cats.

Good luck...

IndiaMom · 06-05-2007, 02:33 PM

If you can't find an alternative that works, and declawing is your only option, I'm pleased that you are only considering a front declaw.

If the cat is causing a lot of damage, I think it is more humane to declaw than to get rid of it.

SueBee · 06-05-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lopin

Don't get me wrong, I love my cats dearly, but they're certainly not going to buy new doors for the house after they wreck them, are they?

No, I hear you. And the cats wouldn't like having to find a new home, either.

wildcat180 · 06-05-2007, 02:36 PM

No, and I wasn't trying to imply that you don't love your cat. I was just saying that because it's a harsh surgery, many vets don't like to do it to older cats.

Maybe I should've just said that...

Sorry, my mind is working on another subject and I'm a bit distracted because of the excitement.

Carri · 06-05-2007, 02:56 PM

The vet that I work for does declaw, for exactly the reason stated above: Better to declaw than have to find another home for it. 2 of my 3 cats are declawed, they came that way. The one that is not declawed, I have not found anything that lessens her desire to claw things. Actually, they all three scatch the furniture, it is just that 2 are harmless! I have tried the soft paws, but found them to be somewhat inhumane because they force the claws to remain out all the time. Yes, it is hard on a cat to declaw it, especially over one year of age. But, it is also hard on dogs to cut of their tails and surgically alter their ears, but people do it anyway. I am not trying to start anything, but if you need to declaw your cat in order to be able to afford to keep it (because of the cost of replacing torn up stuff), I say declaw it. You will be able to find a vet to do it, and if you can find someone to do it with a laser, it is much easier on the cat for recovery. Good luck finding someone!

KatieMae · 06-05-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SueBee

If you haven't tried them, http://www.softpaws.com/, these things can help a lot..

These help a lot! We used them on our cat, and almost on my Chihuahua.. You just glue them on and they're set for awhile.. Pretty neat, actually.

ruffian · 06-05-2007, 03:04 PM

We tried the claw tips on our 18 lb Burmese, within a day she had all but the pinky off and walked around waving it at us like a rapper.
We still have not declawed, but I fully understand those that have chosen to, if she touches the new leather couch it will be her claws, better that than her life!

pvf · 06-05-2007, 03:08 PM

Well when I worked for a vet they did both front and rear. They still do this. At a day or 2 they were just fine.
A cat that only has its back claws can do just as much damage as one with all four. We have cats in the house and they are declawed all the way around.

Most of the time the they declawed the same time they neutered or fixed the cat.

husker_girl7 · 06-05-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carri

I have tried the soft paws, but found them to be somewhat inhumane because they force the claws to remain out all the time.

I'm not sure how you're applying them but they don't cause this to happen...I've used them for years on all of my indoor cats and none of them have ever had any problems with them at all. I'd recommend them to anyone with cats that scratch in a heartbeat.

SueBee · 06-05-2007, 04:52 PM

I couldn't even get the soft paws on my cat, not because of the soft paws (I have been unsuccessful in trimming all of her claws in a single sitting either, I usually get a paw and maybe a toe or two done), but because it is amazing how a 7 lb cat can turn into some sort of whirling devil >

< when you're tyring to do something that they don't want done. But other people I know have used them with great success. I just thought my little pricess cat would look so cute with blue claws to match her eyes

Lady_MCSE · 06-05-2007, 05:06 PM

Sounds to me like your vet has objections to doing the procedure, and has made up a reason to not do it (or honestly, the person you tried to make the appointment with, maybe not the vet him\herself?!?).

I have had four cats declawed, two at age 1, one at age 2, one at age 5. And there was a HUGE difference between two vets that I used. (all this was within the past five years)

The first incident was my first time declawing and I didn't know any better. Took my two boys in (aged 1 and 2). I dropped them off and picked them back up same day. They were still heavily sedated, and bandaged like mummies halfway up their front paws. The vet people educated me about using newspaper instead of litter, and I had that all ready to go. But I was not prepared for a couple of drunken terrified cats trying desperately to get away from me, trying to get up on top of things like furniture or stairways and falling over because they were too uncoordinated for it.

Fast forward the few days or week later whatever it was that the bandages were supposed to come off. One of the two cats had been crying miserably the entire time, I mean HOWLING horribly. When I went to ge the bandages off, I saw why. The morons had taped the tape direclty to the fur and way too tight. Poor guy was in pure misery ripping fur out every time he stepped. And the surgery was a butcher job too. I can only imagine that the vet must have let a first-timer do the procedure, or he was drunk. ???

As luck had it, that cat passed away for unrelated reasons, and I got another six months later. Went to a different vet.

Wow, what a difference! They kept the cat overnight, and they used the "superglue" method of sealing the wounds. No bandages, no blood. So what I got back was a wide awake, alert little fellow who was happy to be home, settled in quickly, and was maybe slightly tender for a couple of days, but was pretty much back to himself bounding around the house within a few days for sure.

Last one was the five year old . . . went to vet #2 and same wonderful experience. No complaints.

The only legitimate reason I can think of that a vet might give for not wanting to do a 7-8 year old cat would be the risk involved with full sedation. There is some risk at any age, but it goes up with older cats, and technically they are considered "senior" around age 7. And if your cat has any other complications such as problems with kidneys or liver that would rule it out for certain.

I would make sure to talk to the vet directly to understand why you are being told this, nto listen to someone working the desk. And if they don't give you a reason that makes sense to you, shop around.

pippy · 06-05-2007, 05:13 PM

Yep, that is what I was told as well, I had a second vet tell me they would do it but it would cost twice as much as normal because of the risk to the cat. Apparently, as they get older, it is more of a high risk procedure with infections and recooperations or something like that.
In the end, I just didn't declaw the guy I had.
I make sure to give them scratching post or those round toys w/ a ball that goes around the outside and w/ cardboard scratchy thing in the middle and they leave the furniture alone (so far) knock on wood!

**Range** · 06-05-2007, 05:32 PM

Yes, I would suggest some items that are okay to scratch. Maybe add some screen to some items to curtail that need. Then, redirect your cat to those toys.

Try it, it might work.

joustinggirl · 06-05-2007, 06:17 PM

If it will keep your cats in your home, do it. It is harder on an older cat, they are heavier. Some say that using a laser is better.

We also do Tenectomies. It works great if you don't mind clipping their nails regularly. We take out a section of the tendon that moves the claw. It is much less painful and invasive.

Perrys_mama · 06-06-2007, 02:46 PM

MY parents declawed my cats without asking me while I was away on a trip (I had asked my parents to cat sit...I no longer lived at their house!)

Boy was I ticked.

In the end, it's fine. My two are giant princesses and don't go outside much.

ANyway, when I was 6, the cat we had (for fourteen years) was declawed. They did it surgically, he had the little mitten bandages, and he was miserable for about 2 weeks. He learned to climb trees and everything with no claws anyway...quite a mouser.

When my parents did my girls, Miss Kitty was well over a year, and Disco Fuzzy was about a year. They used laser, and went home that day. Mom and Dad said the cats walked a little gingerly the next day, but that's all.

Pretty painless...and my cats had a great loving home for those four months...my mom probably would have given them away if they'd kept at the carpet!

JoAnne · 06-06-2007, 02:50 PM

My vet says it can be done by laser now and particularly for older cats the procedure is much less traumatic, perhaps call different vets to see if one does it in your area ( they don't all have the technolofy yet)

06-05-2007, 02:21 PM
Lopin Coming two Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Home of Brett Favre Posts: 1,723	Declawing Question I had an appt set up with my vet to have our cat who is 7 or 8 yrs old declawed in the front because he is wrecking the doors in the house from scratching them! Today I get a call saying that they will not declaw after they turn a year old. Thoughts on this? Is this a common thing or do I have to look for a different vet? __________________ Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

06-05-2007, 02:24 PM
wildcat180 Seasoned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,130	Quite honestly, declawing, in general is a harsh thing to do. It's an amputation. The older the cat, the harder it is on them. Think of it like this, cutting off the first knuckle of your finger. Would that be easier to handle when you're older or younger? If you're set on having it done, another vet would be the way to go. Or ask your vet if he has some alternative suggestions. __________________ My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!-Marquis de Sade

06-05-2007, 02:26 PM
Lopin Coming two Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Home of Brett Favre Posts: 1,723	Don't get me wrong, I love my cats dearly, but they're certainly not going to buy new doors for the house after they wreck them, are they? __________________ Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

06-05-2007, 02:30 PM
SueBee Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NW suburbs of Chicago Posts: 419	If you haven't tried them, http://www.softpaws.com/, these things can help a lot. This website, http://www.catscratching.com/, is a little over the top (OK, a lot) about declawing, but it really can lead to worse behaviour.

06-05-2007, 02:30 PM
IndiaMom Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 177	I agree with Wildcat on this one. Declawing is, in reality, a partial digit amputation. I've actually witnessed the surgery (ex is a vet). The vet takes a pair of clippers and whacks off the top portion of the toe that contains the claw. Many vets refuse to perform declaws at all. Have you considered the nail caps or behavior modification (like spraying the cat with water when it claws inappropriately)? My oldest cat is declawed. I had this performed before I understood what the surgery entailed. I've used behavior modification on the rest of my cats. Good luck... __________________ The purpose of life is a life of purpose. --Robert Byrne

06-05-2007, 02:33 PM
IndiaMom Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 177	If you can't find an alternative that works, and declawing is your only option, I'm pleased that you are only considering a front declaw. If the cat is causing a lot of damage, I think it is more humane to declaw than to get rid of it. __________________ The purpose of life is a life of purpose. --Robert Byrne

06-05-2007, 02:36 PM
wildcat180 Seasoned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,130	No, and I wasn't trying to imply that you don't love your cat. I was just saying that because it's a harsh surgery, many vets don't like to do it to older cats. Maybe I should've just said that... Sorry, my mind is working on another subject and I'm a bit distracted because of the excitement. __________________ My manner of thinking, so you say, cannot be approved. Do you suppose I care? A poor fool indeed is he who adopts a manner of thinking for others!-Marquis de Sade

06-05-2007, 02:56 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 10,620	The vet that I work for does declaw, for exactly the reason stated above: Better to declaw than have to find another home for it. 2 of my 3 cats are declawed, they came that way. The one that is not declawed, I have not found anything that lessens her desire to claw things. Actually, they all three scatch the furniture, it is just that 2 are harmless! I have tried the soft paws, but found them to be somewhat inhumane because they force the claws to remain out all the time. Yes, it is hard on a cat to declaw it, especially over one year of age. But, it is also hard on dogs to cut of their tails and surgically alter their ears, but people do it anyway. I am not trying to start anything, but if you need to declaw your cat in order to be able to afford to keep it (because of the cost of replacing torn up stuff), I say declaw it. You will be able to find a vet to do it, and if you can find someone to do it with a laser, it is much easier on the cat for recovery. Good luck finding someone!

06-05-2007, 03:04 PM
ruffian Long Yearling Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,018	We tried the claw tips on our 18 lb Burmese, within a day she had all but the pinky off and walked around waving it at us like a rapper. We still have not declawed, but I fully understand those that have chosen to, if she touches the new leather couch it will be her claws, better that than her life! __________________ There is something about the outside of a Horse that\'s good for the inside of a man (Will Rogers)

06-05-2007, 03:08 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,781	Well when I worked for a vet they did both front and rear. They still do this. At a day or 2 they were just fine. A cat that only has its back claws can do just as much damage as one with all four. We have cats in the house and they are declawed all the way around. Most of the time the they declawed the same time they neutered or fixed the cat. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

06-05-2007, 04:52 PM
SueBee Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NW suburbs of Chicago Posts: 419	I couldn't even get the soft paws on my cat, not because of the soft paws (I have been unsuccessful in trimming all of her claws in a single sitting either, I usually get a paw and maybe a toe or two done), but because it is amazing how a 7 lb cat can turn into some sort of whirling devil > < when you're tyring to do something that they don't want done. But other people I know have used them with great success. I just thought my little pricess cat would look so cute with blue claws to match her eyes

06-05-2007, 05:06 PM
Lady_MCSE Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Shytown, IL Posts: 3,646	Sounds to me like your vet has objections to doing the procedure, and has made up a reason to not do it (or honestly, the person you tried to make the appointment with, maybe not the vet him\herself?!?). I have had four cats declawed, two at age 1, one at age 2, one at age 5. And there was a HUGE difference between two vets that I used. (all this was within the past five years) The first incident was my first time declawing and I didn't know any better. Took my two boys in (aged 1 and 2). I dropped them off and picked them back up same day. They were still heavily sedated, and bandaged like mummies halfway up their front paws. The vet people educated me about using newspaper instead of litter, and I had that all ready to go. But I was not prepared for a couple of drunken terrified cats trying desperately to get away from me, trying to get up on top of things like furniture or stairways and falling over because they were too uncoordinated for it. Fast forward the few days or week later whatever it was that the bandages were supposed to come off. One of the two cats had been crying miserably the entire time, I mean HOWLING horribly. When I went to ge the bandages off, I saw why. The morons had taped the tape direclty to the fur and way too tight. Poor guy was in pure misery ripping fur out every time he stepped. And the surgery was a butcher job too. I can only imagine that the vet must have let a first-timer do the procedure, or he was drunk. ??? As luck had it, that cat passed away for unrelated reasons, and I got another six months later. Went to a different vet. Wow, what a difference! They kept the cat overnight, and they used the "superglue" method of sealing the wounds. No bandages, no blood. So what I got back was a wide awake, alert little fellow who was happy to be home, settled in quickly, and was maybe slightly tender for a couple of days, but was pretty much back to himself bounding around the house within a few days for sure. Last one was the five year old . . . went to vet #2 and same wonderful experience. No complaints. The only legitimate reason I can think of that a vet might give for not wanting to do a 7-8 year old cat would be the risk involved with full sedation. There is some risk at any age, but it goes up with older cats, and technically they are considered "senior" around age 7. And if your cat has any other complications such as problems with kidneys or liver that would rule it out for certain. I would make sure to talk to the vet directly to understand why you are being told this, nto listen to someone working the desk. And if they don't give you a reason that makes sense to you, shop around. __________________ A little self-deprecating humor from time to time can be healthy. Just be cautious -- make sure it doesn't turn to self-defecating humor. --LadyM

06-05-2007, 05:13 PM
pippy Long Yearling Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 1,174	Yep, that is what I was told as well, I had a second vet tell me they would do it but it would cost twice as much as normal because of the risk to the cat. Apparently, as they get older, it is more of a high risk procedure with infections and recooperations or something like that. In the end, I just didn't declaw the guy I had. I make sure to give them scratching post or those round toys w/ a ball that goes around the outside and w/ cardboard scratchy thing in the middle and they leave the furniture alone (so far) knock on wood! __________________ Put your heart, mind, intellect, and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.\" â€“ Swami Sivananda Saraswati

06-05-2007, 05:32 PM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,898	Yes, I would suggest some items that are okay to scratch. Maybe add some screen to some items to curtail that need. Then, redirect your cat to those toys. Try it, it might work. __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

06-05-2007, 06:17 PM
joustinggirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boones Mill, Virgina Posts: 3,395	If it will keep your cats in your home, do it. It is harder on an older cat, they are heavier. Some say that using a laser is better. We also do Tenectomies. It works great if you don't mind clipping their nails regularly. We take out a section of the tendon that moves the claw. It is much less painful and invasive. __________________ Pink Tiger says \'Grrrrrr\'

06-06-2007, 02:46 PM
Perrys_mama Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 887	MY parents declawed my cats without asking me while I was away on a trip (I had asked my parents to cat sit...I no longer lived at their house!) Boy was I ticked. In the end, it's fine. My two are giant princesses and don't go outside much. ANyway, when I was 6, the cat we had (for fourteen years) was declawed. They did it surgically, he had the little mitten bandages, and he was miserable for about 2 weeks. He learned to climb trees and everything with no claws anyway...quite a mouser. When my parents did my girls, Miss Kitty was well over a year, and Disco Fuzzy was about a year. They used laser, and went home that day. Mom and Dad said the cats walked a little gingerly the next day, but that's all. Pretty painless...and my cats had a great loving home for those four months...my mom probably would have given them away if they'd kept at the carpet!

06-06-2007, 02:50 PM
JoAnne Started Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,442	My vet says it can be done by laser now and particularly for older cats the procedure is much less traumatic, perhaps call different vets to see if one does it in your area ( they don't all have the technolofy yet)