Declawing of Cats: Controversies, Procedures, & Alternatives

Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: The Hometown Veterinarian

Everyone at The Hometown Veterinarian shares a commitment to cat welfare and recognizes that declawing of cats is a controversial topic among pet owners and veterinarians. We do not advocate for declaw surgery, as it can lead to significant discomfort and behavioral changes in cats. However, if declawing is deemed necessary, it must be performed correctly using laser surgery and accompanied by comprehensive multi-modal feline pain management including cold laser therapy. While some cats have been observed to limp and experience lifelong discomfort after traditional scalpel blade declaw surgery, Dr. Jacobson has personally observed that these issues generally do not occur following laser declaw procedures.

Beginning the Discussion Early

It is essential to begin discussions about declawing early, particularly with kittens. If declawing is considered, performing the procedure before one year of age typically results in a much faster recovery.

Alternatives to Declawing

We believe in providing cat owners with information and alternatives to declawing. For comprehensive insights, check out the following resource:

Cat Friendly Homes - What is Declawing?
This page provides an overview of declawing, emphasizing its controversial nature and discussing the importance of alternatives. It offers practical suggestions for managing scratching behavior, such as providing scratching posts and regular nail trimming. You can find the information here: What is Declawing?.

Here are some effective alternatives to declawing:

Regular Nail Trimming: Keeping your cat’s nails trimmed is one of the simplest and most effective ways to minimize scratching. Regular trims prevent nails from becoming too sharp and reduce the likelihood of damage to furniture and skin.
Scratching Posts: Providing appropriate scratching surfaces encourages your cat to scratch in designated areas rather than furniture. Choose scratching posts made from various materials like sisal or cardboard, as different cats may prefer different textures.
Training: Positive reinforcement techniques can teach cats to scratch appropriate surfaces. Rewarding your cat when they use their scratching post can encourage this behavior.
Environmental Enrichment: Providing interactive toys, climbing structures, and play can reduce boredom and the likelihood of destructive scratching behavior. Cats thrive on stimulation, and engaging their natural instincts can help direct their energy positively.
Consult with a Veterinary Behaviorist: If scratching becomes problematic, consider consulting with a veterinary behaviorist for tailored advice and strategies.

Our Commitment to Surgical Excellence

At The Hometown Veterinarian, your cat's surgery is performed with the highest standards of care. Our surgeons utilize advanced CO2 laser technology, which allows for precise incisions with minimal bleeding and reduced tissue trauma. Every procedure is conducted in a sterile environment, ensuring optimal safety. We prioritize pain management, employing a multi-modal approach that includes medications and therapies including cold laser therapy treatments tailored to your cat’s needs. Additionally, our veterinary team closely monitors each patient throughout the surgical process and recovery.

Walkthrough of the Cat Declaw Surgery at The Hometown Veterinarian

Pre-Surgical Laboratry Tests: Prior to the surgery, we perform laboratory tests, typically on a day prior to surgery. This helps us ensure that the patient is healthy and assists in forming an appropriate anesthesia plan.
Anesthesia Considerations: Declawing requires general anesthesia. At our hospital, we prioritize a safe anesthetic experience, utilizing modern equipment and techniques to monitor your cat’s vital signs throughout the procedure.
Multi-Modal Pain Relief: Effective pain management is critical. We use a combination of pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. A local nerve block with Nocita is essential, blocking pain for up to three full days post-surgery.
The Surgery: The procedure involves precision dissection at the last joint of the toes, ensuring no chance of claw regrowth and eliminating painful bone fragments. The use of laser technology negates the need for a tourniquet, which can lead to nerve damage and tissue hypoxia. We have observed that while some cats may limp and experience lifelong discomfort after traditional declaw surgery, Dr. Jacobson has personally observed that these issues generally do not happen following laser declaw procedures.
Post-Surgical Care: Following the surgery, dedicated staff members and electronic monitoring are right there with your cat until recovered. They wake up in a soft, heated blanket. We utilize therapy laser treatment to further decrease inflammation and pain. Our declaw patients spend the night with us, and an additional therapy laser treatment is administered the following morning.
Going Home: Cats generally go home the day following surgery. They should avoid running and jumping behavior as much as possible during at least the first week after surgery. Additionally, it is important to use a kitty litter that will not stick to the paws. We will send a week’s supply of litter made from recycled paper. Stitches will dissolve and do not need to be removed, so a follow-up appointment is typically not needed.

FAQs About Declawing

Is laser declawing safe?
Yes, laser declawing is performed using advanced technology that minimizes pain and bleeding, leading to a smoother recovery.
What should I do if my cat continues to scratch furniture?
Consider providing more scratching posts, engaging toys, and consulting with a veterinarian about training techniques.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you have concerns about your cat’s scratching behavior or are considering declawing, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at The Hometown Veterinarian in Marshalltown, Iowa to discussion options. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate and informed care to help you make the best decisions for your feline friend.