Scratching is normal cat behavior. It isn't done to destroy a favorite chair or to get even. Cats scratch to remove the dead husks from their claws, mark territory, and stretch their muscles. Cats are usually about 8 weeks old when they begin scratching. That's the ideal time to train kittens to use a scratching post and allow nail trims. Pet caregivers should not consider declawing a routine prevention for unwanted scratching.
Declawing can actually lead to an entirely different set of behavior problems that may be worse than shredding the couch. Too often, people think that declawing is a simple surgery that removes a cat's nails—the equivalent of having your fingernails trimmed.
Sadly, this is far from the truth. Declawing traditionally involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe. If performed on a human being, it would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. It is an unnecessary surgery that provides no medical benefit to the cat. Educated pet parents can easily train their cats to use their claws in a manner that allows everyone in the household to live together happily.
Sign up to receive our exclusive e-book full of training techniques, problem-solving and important information about caring for your pet. The standard method of declawing is amputating with a scalpel or guillotine clipper.
The wounds are closed with stitches or surgical glue, and the feet are bandaged. Another method is laser surgery, in which a small, intense beam of light cuts through tissue by heating and vaporizing it.
However, it's still the amputation of the last toe bone of the cat and carries with it the same long-term risks of lameness and behavioral problems as does declawing with scalpels or clippers. This may be due to Chemotherapy, a disease, medications to suppress the immune system, or the person was just born that way.
Typically, our veterinarians suggest you declaw your cat at spay or neuter time. If your kitten is already spayed or neutered, we may perform the declaw surgery earlier. The recovery time is much quicker when cats are young.
There also are fewer potential complications. If you want to discuss cat declawing and you live around Castle Rock or Denver, call our cat vets at or:. We want to make sure the bandages stay on, and your cat has a confined and quiet space to begin healing.
Cats are very good at hiding discomfort. Be sure to give your cat the pain medication , even if he or she is acting normal. If you live in or around Castle Rock, Colorado, we welcome your call. Please call us at or:. Book your appointment here —————. Specializing in the care of cats and dogs, our goal is to help you and your pet feel more comfortable, keeping your stress to a minimum. Other examples of veterinary soft tissue surgeries include intestinal foreign body removal, laceration and wound repair, eye surgery, perineal urethrostomy, mastectomy, splenectomy, and other specialized surgeries.
Many of our procedures are done utilizing our surgical laser. The laser minimizes bleeding, pain, and infection. All surgical procedures are done under the safest conditions, monitored by EKGs, pulse oximeters, cardiac monitors, and supported by intravenous fluid therapy. Portal Login Jobs Blog.
Home Services Surgical Procedures. Request an Appointment Related Services State-of-the-art surgical procedures that are safe and effective. Anesthesia We take anesthesia cases very seriously and utilize a safe, multi-modal approach for each animal we treat.
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