callie has a vet appointment

[geisha]

we are taking her to get fixed and de clawed on the 20th.
she is my tortie shell kitten. sasha did well after we had her fixed and im hoping that callie will do well too.

[Die Fledermaus]

You are aware I hope that most cat experts consider declawing to be animal abuse as it is a form of amputation?

Of course no house cat should be allowed outside at any time, but if by some chance they did get out they'd be defenseless without claws.

[Hamsters82]

Sometimes declawing is necessary though. You don't want your cat to stratch you or other family members or hurt any other type of animal. Also you don't want your furniture ruined.

Good luck to Callie on the 20th.

[Die Fledermaus]

That is an extremely poor excuse to mutilate an animal. Try better training and protecting any furniture.

No normal cat will attack you. A friendly loving cat may grab your arm and try to hug it, and if that results in a few minor scratches, get out the iodine and live with it.

Declawing is mutilation...on us it is like taking off the fingers at the closest knuckle to the fingernail. Some cats react really badly to the immeanse pain this operation can cause them by having behavoural problems later on, and even self-mutilation. Clipping the nails (like you would a dog) and teaching them where scratching is allowed is a much better way for both of you. In ALOT of countries it is illegal, or at least frowned upon.

If you want to have a look at some facts and figures on this operation for yourself, please go to this website... www.declawing.com/

[geisha]

im sorry to have caused such a fuss . i do train my cats and try my best to encourage good behavior . but these cats dont ever go outside and they are my companions when im home alone. i take good care of my cats

[Hamsters82]

No one ever said you didn't take good care of your cats, Jenn. Some people find that harmful and others don't.

[Die Fledermaus]

www.declawing.com/

Read it and make up your own mind.

BTW, I wasn't being harsh; I know you take good care of your pets.

[geisha]

i just think that they should be declawed cause they scratch us terrible bad and leave bad marks on us. we clip the dog of her claws too when we have the time to do it.

[Die Fledermaus]

Do you have any opinion on what is said here? www.declawing.com/

There is a painful recovery period, among other things.

[Hamsters82]

Is it like docking and cropping for dogs? Cause I think with cats sometimes you need to do it.

[Die Fledermaus]

hamsters82 said:

Is it like docking and cropping for dogs? Cause I think with cats sometimes you need to do it.

It is not like that. OK, let me paste this out from that site since no one seems to be reading it:

>> Written by Veterinarian, Dr. Christianne Schelling

If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision.

First, you should know that declawing is pretty much an American thing, it's something people do for their own convenience without realizing what actually happens to their beloved cat. In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." I agree. In many European countries it is illegal. I applaud their attitude.

Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure.

It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. Wheelchairs and bedpans are not an option for a cat.

No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.

Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors.


I have also had people tell me that their cat's personality changed after being declawed. Although, the medical community does not recognize this as potential side effect.

Okay, so now you realize that declawing is too drastic a solution, but you're still concerned about keeping your household furnishings intact. Is there an acceptable solution? Happily, the answer is yes. A big, joyful, humane YES! Actually there are several. The following website "Cat Scratching Solutions" provides many solutions as well as and insight into the psychology of why cats scratch. You can teach your cat to use a scratching post (sisal posts are by far the best). You can trim the front claws. You can also employ aversion methods. One of the best solutions I've found is Soft Paws®.

Soft Paws are lightweight vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat's front claws. They're great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can't exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post. Soft Paws® are easy to apply and last about four to six weeks. They come in clear or colors--which are really fun. Now that's a kitty manicure! The colored caps look spiffy on Tabby or Tom and have the added advantage of being more visible when one finally comes off. Then you simply replace it. You can find Soft Paws® on the web by clicking here or call 1-800-989-2542.

You need to remember, though, that the caps and nail trimming should only be used on indoor cats who will not be vunerable to the dangers of the outdoors.

For a list of countries in which declawing is either illegal, or considered extremely inhumane and only performed only under extreme circumstances, or for medical reasons, CLICK HERE.

Not yet convinced? Click Here for "The Truth about Declawing - Technical Facts." <<

>> The anatomy of the feline claw must be understood before one can appreciate the severity of declawing. The cat's claw is not a nail as is a human fingernail, it is part of the last bone (distal phalanx) in the cat's toe. The cat’s claw arises from the unguicular crest and unguicular process in the distal phalanx of the paw (see above diagram). Most of the germinal cells that produce the claw are situated in the dorsal aspect of the ungual crest. This region must be removed completely, or regrowth of a vestigial claw and abcessation results. The only way to be sure all of the germinal cells are removed is to amputate the entire distal phalanx at the joint.

Contrary to most people's understanding, declawing consists of amputating not just the claws, but the whole phalanx (up to the joint), including bones, ligaments, and tendons! To remove the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the extensor and flexor tendons must all be amputated. Thus declawing is not a “simple”, single surgery but 10 separate, painful amputations of the third phalanx up to the last joint of each toe. A graphic comparison in human terms would be the cutting off of a person's finger at the last joint of each finger. <<

>> Declawing is not without complication. The rate of complication is relatively high compared with other so-called routine procedures. Complications of this amputation can be excruciating pain, damage to the radial nerve, hemorrhage, bone chips that prevent healing, painful regrowth of deformed claw inside of the paw which is not visible to the eye, and chronic back and joint pain as shoulder, leg and back muscles weaken.

Other complications include postoperative hemorrhage, either immediate or following bandage removal is a fairly frequent occurrence, paw ischemia, lameness due to wound infection or footpad laceration, exposure necrosis of the second phalanx, and abscess associated with retention of portions of the third phalanx. Abscess due to regrowth must be treated by surgical removal of the remnant of the third phalanx and wound debridement. During amputation of the distal phalanx, the bone may shatter and cause what is called a sequestrum, which serves as a focus for infection, causing continuous drainage from the toe. This necessitates a second anesthesia and surgery. Abnormal growth of severed nerve ends can also occur, causing long-term, painful sensations in the toes. Infection will occasionally occur when all precautions have been taken. <<

And there is much more on that site. There is also the dangers inherent always with general anesthesia.

My God, it sounds ten times worse than I thought. Poor kitties.

[geisha]

update:
we brought my baby callie home from the vet this morning and she is in excellent health! she has a tiny suture where she got fixed but other then that she is very sweet and lovable towards me and the boyfreind!

hugs all around for my baby callie

[Die Fledermaus]

I am very glad it went well.

[pinky]

I'm glad too!

[geisha]

she hates being outside and she meowed all the way home the other morning...my babies like being inside better then being outside