We recently got our second cat laser declawed. Our first cat it went pretty smoothly with only a slight infection afterwards. We had highly reccomended it because its supposed to be significantly less painful for cats and when they come home the only thing special you need to do for them is use a special kind of litter. They are not supposed to have any pain and there is not supposed to be any blood or treatment after the surgery. With our first cat that was pretty much the case but with our second cat after 3 days he was still favoring his paws and therefore we needed to take him back in. He is now on morphine and has broken open 4 of his wounds since his surgery. He doesn’t seem to care and I probably worry more then he notices it as it doesn’t slow him down. If I had to look at reccomending laser declawing I would still reccomend it I just would warn you even if there isn’t supposed to be any problems after the surgery it all depends on each cat that has it done some will and some won’t but it definitely does not seem to slow the cats down at all.
Randomness of Christi
Catch-all of what's on my mind! From Movie Reviews to TV and Cats.
Thank you Linda and Kath for those kind words and understanding of my concerns. It is greatly appreciated.
I suppose rules may differ across the nation, but I am a registered nurse on the surgical unit of one of our hospitals, and we care for transplant patients as well as other surgical patients. The main pet that they are told to avoid owning is a cat for the above said reasons, and this information comes from both the surgeons and the family physicians. I don’t see how they all can be misinforming. They only have the patients best interest in mind. They have seen too many complications in the past, even with declawed cats. But I guess I shouldn’t expect everyone to know that if they are not working in that field.
I thank you ladies once again. God Bless.
Linda, please do not waste God’s precious time with something as trivial as this stupid blog that is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of life. There are much more important things for him to be doing such as listening to the prayers I’m sure you pray for the cancer patients you care for. My sister-in-law just finished up treatment for Cancer and I know the prayers of those who cared for her meant a great deal and played a hand in her recovery. Bottom line, if cats could talk they would tell us which they’d rather have…all digits or a nice home. Until then I fear this argument is accomplishing nothing. I don’t like the person I have portrayed in this discussion. I am a Christian and have not acted like one in my previous posts. For those offended I apologize. I guess I am too sensitive when it comes to people telling me to put my health 2nd and a cat’s claws 1st in my life. But, I am finished posting on this topic….it’s been beat to death. There will always be people opposed to this subject, just like there will be people who support the procedure. When it’s all said and done you and I are the ones who have to live with our decisions and answer for them in the end.
Yes Mary, everyone has an opinion as well as the right to interpret words the way they choose. And the rest of us have the right to correct you if you have misunderstood us, do we not? Once again I see that this has to be all about You! I pray for people like you.
Wow, has this forum ever become a joke with all the ridiculous arguments! First I read about someone trying to take others hostage emotionally with the “I’ll have my cat put down if I can’t declaw!” If a person really would kill her or his cat in this case, it is reasonable to question the suitability of that person as a feline guardian, especially when there are millions of non-declawed cats living in harmony with people.
To Mary, the one that’s immunosuppressed, why do have a cat anyways with the risks? It must be convenient to use that as part of your defense to justify the amputations. You can dress up mutilation with anesthesia, sterile procedure, pain management, etc, but it is still mutilation. The next time you use your finger tips think of how nice it is to have those sensitive little digits. That is mean! That’s the only word to describe you, sorry…hope in maybe your next life you are a cat and someone does it to YOU! Perhaps then you will know the pain, suffering and agony, and your misery will have company… is that not what you seek?(support for cruelty?) I DO! And you should really stop speaking for other people when you say “it seems I wasn’t the only one who read her posting as offensive and cold”. You have done this more than once. Let the others speak for themselves whether or not they agree. We are all entitled to our own opinions.
And to Monica, you made a good point with your questions. Too bad you received harsh words that were uncalled for instead of a decent explanation that you were seeking to correct your confusion.
Kudos to Linda for having a good understanding of the postings. We need more people like you.
Ever hear of the phrase: Thrice be done unto you what you bestow unto others(?)
Well, you all have to understand one thing on this blog:
People ONLY interpret posts that are against cruelty to animals as attacking! (um, sorry, but bone amputation is just that CRUELTY-no matter what you wish to call it)-Seriously
those who post that the cruelty of declawing or those who post alternatives are attackers… go figure…
WE are the ONLY ones that really care about YOU AND your CAT…and not about giving ourselves a silly excuse to be totally stupid and cruel…BUT-only a very few will see this-THOSE WHO TRULY CARE…
Once again, everyone has an opinion as well as the right to interpret words the way they choose. Looking back it seems I wasn’t the only one who read her posting as offensive and cold. Thanks for the clarity of the word “cut”…Webster’s Dictionary mentions a synonym for cut is wound. Put perhaps I’m being dramatic in my previous sentence. Sure hope you don’t read my posting with the incorrect tone.
It sounds to me as if you are misinterpreting Monica’s post. When reading it, it doesn’t sound to me as if she’s attacking in any way. You have to remember one thing, when any of us post, you cannot see our facial expressions or hear our tone of voice, so misunderstandings are always possible. I wouldn’t take that post personally.
As for the transplant patients we deal with, I was actually referring to the liver transplant patients-not bone marrow. Regardless, the same rules apply.
And how does a simple cut all of a sudden become an open wound. Sounds like you are adding a bit of drama to my post. But I expected that from what’s been happening here. I only mentioned a simple cut, which is common for all of us.
I am the member with the suppressed immune system. I would think working with cancer w/ relation to “organ” transplants is somewhat different. I do not have the suppressed immunity of someone who has undergone Bone Marrow Transplant or been through Chemotherapy. I have been transplanted 10 years, my immunosuppression is monitored monthly. The doctor agreed to let me have a cat since I had one before transplant and it did not cause me any problems. But, there were the stipulations. This is my 2nd cat, the first was declawed 15 years ago when the laser option wasn’t available. As you said, there was not the mind set held today. The main goal used to be giving a cat a loving home for life. He has since passed and was a sweetheart until the end. Since my transplant I have NEVER cleaned out or even touched the litter box. My husband would kill me if I even tried. As for a open wound I think you and I both know it’s a little extreme assuming if a cat licks a open wound on the hand it would cause problems, possible but not probable. I guess my main point throughout all this back and forth discussion is SOMETIMES there are good reasons for a cat to be declawed. Destroying the furniture, curtains and wallpaper aren’t valid enough in my opinion. I also see why your opinion has changed about declawing. The previous experience I had was completly without problems, my cat sailed through with no personality changes whatsoever. Another thing is the cat I adopted had been with a foster family. I asked extensive questions regarding his mood and nature. He is very laid back…not even phased by the vacuum cleaner. He’s a year old, so I think his personality is pretty well established. One last thought…I doubt very seriously that Monica had anyone’s best interest at heart. I think the paragraph below, copied from her post, more than sizes up the attitude and mind set of this individual
“And what happens if you happen to have an accidental scratch or minor sore on your hand let’s say from something else, and your cat licks your hand in play? What will happen then? Will it not still affect your condition? It should if what you are saying is true. So what’s next….removal of teeth because of your condition?’
In my opinion when you use the phrase “IF WHAT YOU SAY IS TRUE” and the snide comment about removing the cat’s teeth are totally unnecessary. The “I don’t mean to sound insensitive” only proves she knew what others would think when they read the post, yet posted it anyway. These remarks only prove my opinion of her. I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way(not the first time she’s been characterized unfavorably on the site). Now I ask you, being in the medical profession, would you ever address someone with a serious medical condition with those words? BTW, after being transplanted this long, I doubt there are any questions I haven’t asked my doctor at one time or another. Don’t know if my post is worth 2 cents, everyone has an opinion. My goal in my original post was to help those trying to decide on the laser issue. In the end, people’s opinions whether pro or con don’t mean that much in the grand scheme of things. If you look enough places you can always find someone who opposes or supports your opinion. I just think people should read over what they post and see if it is insensitive, rude or cruel. I doubt I would’ve ever responded to a post differing from my opinion. That was a given if you’ve read the preceeding posts on this site. As I said before, life’s too short to waste time arguing with closed minded people.
I have read through most of the posts. We obviously hold different opinions. I will share my story. I have two adopted cats. The first one has been declawed, since at the time it was the norm. My second cat has not been declawed since my first one has taken to biting, which I am still having trouble controlling. It was something I was made aware of by the veterinarian which I had chosed to ignore. Now I am paying the price. I have learned that this painful procedure was unneccessary and has done more harm than good for both myself and my cat. I am will expect rudeness from some of you, as I have noticed the attack on another member for no apparent reason-at least according to my interpretation of all the latter posts. Say what you will, but I now find by experience that declawing is cruel and I have to live with what I did to my precious cat. Never again.
As for the member who declawed because of a suppressed immune system due to a transplant, the member which you were nasty to happens to be 100% correct. I work with our regional Cancer Center where many of our patients undergo transplants, and they are all told to avoid cats alltogether. It is not just the nails, but the teeth as well, or even just the saliva alone. Especially if you happen to have a cut on your hand. Petting a cat can be a risk, as well as cleaning the litterbox, which should also be avoided. This member had good concerns and it’s something maybe you should look at. Just my two cents.
MARY, you are better off keeping your threats to yourself. You and the others obviously have difficulty understanding the basic english language I used in my post. I was friendly in my last post with just asking questions, but you are now changing that.
If you read back, maybe slower this time, you will see that I was asking questions because it did not make sense to me what you were saying since the accidental play bites harbor more bacteria. I also stated “I don’t mean to sound insensitive but…”, which you obviously had overlooked as well.
If you post your comments with your opinions, you are opening yourself up to other opinions and questions as well. If you cannot handle that, maybe you shouldn’t post. I have just read over my other post once again, and there was raving, no cursing, just questions to help me understand because of the circumstances.
And what you say about a cat being declawed in a loving as opposed to a life in a cage….well, that cat probably would have been adopted by someone else. You can’t say that for sure. So please, if you are going to post anything, be polite as I have been to you, and ask if you don’t understand, such as I have. God Bless
Shar, Thank you for your kind words and support. Life is too short to concern ourselves with bitter, unhappy people or their opinions. I thank God for people like you and Deborah, who understand those who are not blessed with perfect health still desire the priviledge of loving a cat. My best to you and your feline family member(s) as well.
Greetings to all and thanks to Mary and Shar for the kind words and reasonable tones that you bring to some exchanges that have gotten out of hand here.
I feel that I have benefitted by all the histories shared here and appreciate Christi
making a forum available.
Mary–I have come to the conclusion that we open-minded individuals, who know the risks and take great care to reduce those risks so that we may enjoy our pets, must endure the hypocritical rantings of people who call themselves educated. There will always be 2 sides to every argument and there will inevitably be some who cannot differentiate between presenting their side and malicious, ignorant ravings. Monica, if you are hoping to “win us over” you are definitely not going to achieve your purpose this way, in fact, you have turned me off anything you have to contribute, constructive or otherwise, because you are so condescending. Bravo, Deborah, for once again pointing out the obvious lack of any empathy for the fellow HUMAN in the equation who, despite her medical problems, merely wants to share her love and affection with what seems to me a very well adjusted companion. Millions of cats live full lives without their claws in very loving environments…I’d say that’s far better than being kept in a cage or possibly even euthanized. Mary, may God bless you with improved health and many years to spend with your precious DECLAWED kitty.
A note of thanks to Deborah….I have to admit I was speachless after reading Monica’s post. Your understanding, Deborah, meant the world to me. I guess, as you said, Monica has been blessed with good health. Granted, teeth are dangerous, but I’ve never had a cat’s teeth sink into my legs without provocation. I have however been the recipient of a cat scratch when they unexpectedly launched off the sofa or ran out from under the bed. I believe one area to avoid (the mouth)compared to trying to avoid 4 paws of claws speaks for itself. Monica’s wording of “if what you say is true” really struck me as insensitive and total a totally void of human compassion. Perhaps I should have explained in graphic detail the surgery performed when I received my bi-laterial lung transplant. Maybe I should’ve given a contact number to my transplant doctor who explained the terms for having a pet. Of course, he only has a medical degree..probably not enough for Monica. I would be interested to know if the people in Monica’s life are loved as much as these cats she insists on having claws. Someone needs to declaw YOU Monica, you sound more like a cat than the one sleeping beside me on the couch. You have a wicked tongue. I’ve always believed what goes around comes around. You, my dear, have a rude awakening ahead.
Gee. I have had cats, clawed and declawed both, ALL my life and I am now 55 years old. i have loved my dear cats deeply, in fact one is kneading and roaring as I type one-handed.
As I survey my self, in light of monica’s remarks about biting, I have several vivid scars from cat scratches. Quite a few, in fact.
BUT NOT A SINGLE BITE MARK. Not ONE tooth mark, anywhere. But scratch scars aplenty….
I’m sure this is a freak situation according to you, Monica.
But hey. Why NOT drone on and on guilt-tripping Mary about her decision to declaw for what sounds like precarious and serious health matters that she felt she had to deal with. Perhaps YOUR health is rugged, Monica, and you have no worries. Strange lack of empathy it seems to me, but I am not as given to judgement as you are.
In any event, your self-righteous reasoning and endless harangues won’t put the claws back on the cat in question and transform the altered pet to your satisfaction, so what purpose does your nagging serve, I wonder
besides to feed your overweening sense of superiority? Obviously you aren’t going to win anyone over with your attitude IF declawing prevention is truly what motivates your bloviations.
Why would someone spend hundreds on vet surgery if they didn’t believe they had made the right decsion? What can you achieve to benefit animals by questioning Mary’s judgement in this matter NOW?
Mary, there is one thing in your post that makes absolutely no sense what-so-ever. You say that you are at risk for serious infection if you were to get a scratch from a cat. Well, what about a bite? Bites have always been considered far more dangerous as the animals mouth harbors much more bacteria than their nails. It is a known fact that many declawed cats become biters. Now, even if yours doesn’t become a habitual biter, there is always the risk of a play bite slightly piercing the skin. Happens to me all the time during play. I feel the teeth more than the nails that I trim down and file.
And what happens if you happen to have an accidental scratch or minor sore on your hand let’s say from something else, and your cat licks your hand in play? What will happen then? Will it not still affect your condition? It should if what you are saying is true. So what’s next….removal of teeth because of your condition?
I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but it just doesn’t make sense to me because the risk is still there. Teeth or nails: cats use both!
Just thought I would add my 2 cents worth after reading all these posts. I am sitting here looking across the livingroom at my cat curled up sleeping on top of his head with his paw over his eyes. He was laser declawed on Wed. (4 days ago). We took him on Tuesday night to the vets at their request. They were going to do routine bloodwork and place a Fentinol (sp?) patch on his neck that night. The procedure was done by laser. Even though it is less invasive and less painful, they still did blocks on all four paws. He was already partially sedated from the patch to keep him from getting stressed before the anesthesia. The surgery took about an hour. He weighed 12.9lbs and just turned a year old the 12th of October. We had all 4 claws done because I am a transplant patient and any type of cat scratch could mean serious infection since I am immunosuppressed. We had our previous cat (15 yrs) declawed and he was the most wonderful, calm, laid back cat in the world. Since bringing Linus home on Friday afternoon I have not noticed a change in personality AT ALL. He’s still a pig for love, is eating well and curling up next to us on the bed every night just like before. It took me 4 different agencies before I found one that would allow me to declaw the cat once I adopted. Finally I found one that included a provision in the contract regarding declawing.. PROVIDED it was done by laser. I tried the SPCA, the Humane Society and numerous Feral cat groups. They all had it in their contract that if you declawed they would remove the animal from your home. EVEN though my reasons were medical they were convinced that the cat / kitten had a better life in a cage. This was the most absurd mindset I have ever run across. We’re talking about declawing, not life threatening (unless allowed outside) surgery. This cat will be our child, he will be cared for as much as humanly possible. If it was between me getting fed and him….he wins hands down. I just felt compelled to write this….if you’re offended I’m sorry, if you disagree that’s your right. I take Linus back to the vet in the morning to have them remove the Fentinal patch on his neck. You see, this vet believed in pre-medicating as well as post-medicating when declawing. The doctor who did the declawing said her #1 priority was pain management. They told us from the start everything possible would be done to make him comfortable…..and it was. I paid $450 for the declawing, this included boarding him for 3 nights. It was worth EVERY penny. I could’ve taken him to my brother-in-law who is a vet, but he doesn’t have a laser and even if the contract hadn’t insisted that’s the only way I would’ve had it done to him. So, say what you like, I feel like he is much better off out of the cage where I first saw him. I ask those of you SOOOO opposed to declawing to stand back and look at the big picture. Pain can be controlled, emotional scaring possible, but not probable. Well, it’s time for Linus and I to turn in….his tummy is full, and the nice soft bed awaits….much improved from a cage huh?!
How sad you’ve been *torturing yourself* Doreen! Now that you’ve read some info from people who say cruelty is the way to go, you are so very happy! I’d hate to see you torture yourself so, and by reading from an idiot blog you now have all the answers, right? How wonderful.
Declawing a 2-yeqr old is about the DUNBEST, cruelist, most IGNORANT thing I have efver heard of. What have you offered this cat in regards to cratching and playing time? Oops, -the FLOOR you say…too bad this cat has YOU for an owner instad of someone who wants to LEARN…hope someone understands YOU as well someday and gives you the same. It’s called Karma-what goes around comes around-Good Luck to you
your website has been very helpful! I have been torturing myself over having my 2 yr old declawed. I have had cats all of my life and love my two guys, but one of them is ultra destructive. I have never seen anything like him. He claws the furniture, but also the walls, the woodwork, the wood floors and the carpeting. I was about to start letting him go outside, but we have a resident fox, who will do worse than declaw him. I will look for a vet who does laser declawing after reading your comments and feel so much better. Thanks! Doreen
The Declawing Project Results
Hello. My name is Mewsette and I am a cat, 15 years old. I am speaking in proper human English for this page, because it is important. The subject is the declawing of cats. I just headed a project on this subject for my club. The purpose of the project was to get responses from other cats on how they feel about the subject of declawing. This is my longer conclusion of the project. Please read it.
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We had seven responses from our members. Four are against declawing, though one of those pointed out how frequently humans require it before they will give a cat a home. Two are not really for or totally against it. One does not consider declawing cruel or inhumane, and is in favor of it “for good reasons”.
Kitties, declawing is cruel, and it is inhumane. Two responses stated that the European countries have animal welfare laws which forbid declawing cats for that reason. The U.S. does not, and may not be likely to, as declawing surgery is a major source of income for vets in the U.S. I believe very few of the vets ever explain that the surgery is amputation of the cat’s toes at the first joint, that not only the claw is removed, but the bone and tendon. The surgery causes the cats so much pain they are “bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of excruciating pain”, as one vet wrote *. Some cats die from hemorrhaging during the surgery, but we don’t hear about that, either. A cat’s mutilated paws can become badly infected. The cat must go home and walk on those painful feet, and dig in the litter box with them. Wheelchairs and bedpans are not an option for cats. Post-surgical pain is not treated in cats. It is seldom admitted.
Declawing is mutilating and debilitating surgery. I don’t know what qualifies as a “good reason” for surgery on a cat that is of no benefit to the cat. This surgery is done only for the convenience of uncaring and uninformed humans. How can we, as cats, agree to letting humans cripple us for life for their convenience? What might they find it convenient to cut off next, our tails? What are the “good reasons” for cutting off our toes? Their furniture or drapes? Do they love their furniture and drapes more than they love their cats then? Yes. To keep us from accidently clawing and hurting their children? Do they know that, when we have no claws with which to defend ourselves, we will often resort to biting instead? I don’t think so. Do the vets tell them? No.
Our claws are an integral part of all our instincts as cats and of our beautiful balance and grace as cats. Without claws, we are something like humans trying to walk on their heels all their life. Our entire bone structure will alter as we get older. Our balance will be affected. Our personalities may change. A high percentage of us will develop litter box problems as a result of declawing. And those problems, more than any other, cause humans to discard us. If a declawed cat ever gets outside, we have no way to defend ourselves or escape from harm up a tree. Do the humans know these things? Would they still have us declawed if they did? To surgically alter and mutilate our bodies this way, simply for convenience, is not consistent with the love they say they feel for us, is it?
One response made a good point, a very sad one, calling routine declawing a “necessary evil” in order for some cats to be given a home. First, that would only be the case in America. Second, I have a problem with the words “necessary” and “evil” being used together, even though the phrase is common to humans. I am a cat, with hundreds of years of evil done to my species in the past. If a thing is evil, why would it be necessary? This only tells me that humans who do not want a cat unless it is declawed have no business having a cat. Are we dealing with the cat overpopulation problem by mutilating cats so that such selfish humans will take them in? Why not deal with it with stronger neuter/spay requirements instead? That surgery is of benefit to the cat, most humans agree.
Another also mentioned that it was harder for a cat to be adopted if he/she was not declawed, and said it is better to be declawed than to be killed. That is true. And it points out again what our choices in America seem to be. But a declawed cat who is later abandoned or discarded because of litter box behavior or biting is still going to be killed. How inhumane we really are.
This project was about a problem, cats clawing where they should not. The solution to the problem is not subjecting the cats to mutilating surgery. That is a cruel reaction, not a solution. We cats can be trained to use a scratching post or scratching pad, as nearly all responses agreed. Even a log can be brought into the house for us to claw. Our claws can be clipped regularly, and should be, so they are not so needle-sharp they might inflict accidental damage or injury. There are products on the market, such as Soft Paws™, little nail caps that can be put on our claws. We do not deserve to have our toes amputated! We say we are lucky cats to have humans who care about stopping inhumane treatment and abuse of cats. Yet declawing is routinely done to us by such humans. What makes it different from any other kind of cruelty?
In concluding this project, I believe it shows two things. First, that many American humans, unlike those in most European countries, where declawing is against the law, don’t appear very concerned. That was unexpected, and I hope it is a wrong conclusion, for those countries surely do not need another excuse to look upon our humans as barbarians. It also seems to be a sensitive subject among Americans. Neuter/Spay surgery is surely not a sensitive issue! Why is this one?
Second, to show that a lot of education is needed in my country, for the sake of us cats. Kitties, all we can do is try to get our humans involved to educate others about exactly what declawing is and what can happen to us as a result. We must ask them to speak out to those who are responsible for this cruelty and say No! this should not be done. We must tell them to ask our vets this: Do they routinely recommend and suggest declawing to the cats’ humans? Why, if not only for the money it makes them? Do they explain to the cats’ humans exactly what the surgery is and how much pain it causes the cat? Do they tell them all the physical and behavioral problems the cats may develop later? Do they suggest alternate solutions for cats that claw things they shouldn’t? These things must be asked, but I don’t feel hopeful that we will be able to get many vets on our side about not declawing. I feel that education about it will be up to our other humans. What a sad thing to say.
I also strongly believe that we need to campaign for laws against declawing cats in this country. And I make a pledge right now to find out what one kitty can do about these things, and do it. That is my solution. Will you help?
by Mewsette
*Quote from Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Professor at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, in his book “The Cat Who Cried For Help: Attitudes, Emotions, and the Psychology of Cats”
This is the full quote:
“The inhumanity of the procedure is clearly demonstrated by the nature of the cats’ recovery from anesthesia following the surgery. Unlike routine recoveries, including recovery from neutering surgeries, which are fairly peaceful, declawing surgery results in cats bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of excruciating pain. Cats that are more stoic huddle in the corner of the recovery cage, immobilized in a state of helplessness, presumably by the overwhelming pain.
Declawing fits the dictionary definition of mutilation to a tee. Words such as deform, disfigure, disjoint, and dismember all apply to this surgery. Partial digital amputation is so horrible that it has been employed for torture of prisoners of war, and in veterinary medicine, the clinical procedure serves as a model of severe pain for testing the efficacy of analgesic drugs.. Even though analgesic drugs can be used postoperatively, they rarely are, and their effects are incomplete and transient anyway, so sooner or later the pain will emerge.”
CRUELTY SHOULD NEVER BE A CHOICE
Deborah,
Thank you for giving me a little encouragement here. The animal rights people would have a cat put to sleep before they would let someone give it a good loving home and have it declawed. They should check the number of animals that PETA put to sleep every year.
Becky, I doubt that you are the first to feel attacked here, and I am sorry that there are a few here who are so opinionated and abusive. I’d like to thank you for standing up to the bullies and cherishing your pets as you do.
Some animal activists seem to be the pets’ worst enemy…..
Recently some “animal lovers” in the UK stated that a person should have a HUGE indoor space, or not adopt a cat.
Good clear thinking, that. Better the cat should be euthanized than go to a loving home that’s less than palatial in square footage….. uh…. right!
I am really done with all you self-rightous people who tell me how terrible I am for getting my cat laser declawed. He is extremely healthy and playful and it was in his best interest to have it done. If not he would probably not be here now. The day I brought him home from the vet he was playing and acting like nothing had happened to him. Before we got our Boo-Boo we had a cat for 16 years and he was declawed. We take great caution to not let our cat out. We tried taking him out on a leash and he wants nothing to do with the outside. So don’t tell me how terrible I am. You should see how happy and loved my cat is. It is your decision to not have your cat declawed and I respect that so please respect my decision to give a much needed loving home to a cat that may not have gotten one.
LUCKY, please educate yourself before making absurd remarks and embarassing yourself. It is a proven fact that if you keep your pets intact and don’t breed them, then they have a very high risk of developing cancer. Female cats also run a very high risk of developing pyometra, which is infection of the uterus. So yes, my two boys are neutered since they are not being bred and it IS in their best interest to have these types of cancers prevented. To do otherwise would make me an irresponsible pet owner. I don’t know how I’d react if I was told that my pet was dying from a preventable cancer. A 5/10 minute operation with two tiny incisions which you can barely notice is hardly comparable to the removal of claws. Oh, and by the way, many neutered males still do spray. But you probably didn’t know that either!
Actually, Lucky is mistaken. Long term medical studies have proven out that Dogs and Cats who are spayed have exceptionally lower cases of breast cancer. Needless to say, they do not get ovarian cancer at all, and cancer of the cervix is also out for the most part. Cats and Dogs who are neutered do not get Cancer of the Testis…so Neutering and Spaying, in addition to helping keep the population of unwanted and killed companion animals lower…also DOES PROVIDE HEALTH BENEFITS. Unlike removing claws from Cats. Do the research…get the answers.
You people are such hypocrites. You remember who its best for the next time you go get a cat spayed/neutered. There is not a mammal on the plantet that benefits from the absolute removal from major hormone producing organs.
So, when speaking of whats BEST for CATS, remember, have your vet perform a far more minor tubal ligation or vasectomy on your kittys, because the major surgery can cause very serious injuries and/or death. It is far higher risk than a declaw thats for sure.
Oh but wait..If your boys spray and wail all night long when in heat, and your females leave blood on your pretty carpets when in heat, thats just not best for YOU is it? You’re absolutely right. Castrate your males and open a gaping hole to gut your females. Because we all know who it is best for.
Once again I am hearing about what’s best for the person. How is declawing best for the cat? There is no reason that owners cannot trim the cats nails down. I do it all the time for my two. Luckily, I have an honest vet who explained to me the excruciating pain that cats go through with the surgery and I made the best decision I could have made for the cats that I love.
As for your opinion of cats being sold as property, I have adopted mine, not bought them. By no means are they property. If they were, you’d be able to treat them as a soccer ball and kick them around. There is no comparison there.
yes. good call. let a cat be a cat in a 1.5×2.5 ft cage at a shelter and don’t adopt animals. i bet they enjoy themselves more there than in a loving home, still playful and being pampered sans claws. phantom pain and emotional changes are by no means guaranteed.
look, all i’m saying is that sometimes the decision to adopt a cat and have it declawed IS what’s best for the cat – who are you to say otherwise. i myself choose not to as i couldn’t live with the guilt of complications. regardless of my position, i believe we are each entitled to the RIGHT (who would bestow the privilege?) of owning a pet and making that educated decision without judgement. animals are sold as property, should they not be? i do know i would rather see an adopted cat declawed than euthanized. an expert on phantom pain should be able to distinguish a cat in an overall better situation.
I’ve just read over all the posts and it just makes me shake my head. I keep hearing about what’s best for the owners, but what about what’s best for the cat? Pet ownership is not a right. It is a priviledge. If a cat accidentally gets out of the house accidentally, which does happen no matter what any of you say, where are their defences? What about the phantom pain that many declawed cats experience for years following the surgery? Of course you don’t care about that because it’s all about you and not your precious animal. Maybe you should really rethink owning a cat and settle for an animal that will cause you much less inconvenience. Let a cat be a cat for pete’s sake!
Wow! Thanks Christi for putting this out there! I’ve read just about every post…
I’ve always had cats, every single one was declawed, spayed/neutered, my horses were gelded if necessary, my dogs spayed or neutered.
My point here is, recently I had a cat (14 yrs old) had her since she was 6 weeks old, spent much money on her for surgeries that were necessary (she ate a yo-yo string, it was tied up in her intestines… what do you do then?) she had to be put down due to cancer. The vet told me that if I had her foot amputated she would be fine due to the type of cancer, non-invasive, etc. Now I wouldn’t do that, it wasn’t a knuckle, it was up to her hip.
I’d just like to know, because the discussions have been fascinating! How the Vet Dr. Dan?? feels about “elective” surgery on cats for cancer? I wouldn’t put an animal of any kind through chemo, radiation or anything else, but there are vets that do that… so his comment about vets taking money for declawing is totally absurd when there are vets that take tens of thousands of dollars for other treatments…
That said… had my kitty been a year old, I might have done that, people adjust (and i so loved her) so she might have, but she was elder and I wouldn’t put her through any more pain than she was already in…
I just adopted a stray (I paid more for him than I’ve ever paid for a cat in my life!!!) he will be declawed because he loves to play and I won’t let my other cat be harmed (he’s declawed and loves to play!)
Personal choice!
I think everyone is entitled to his/her own opinions, and I don’t judge anyone at all. The only comments on here that bothered me were from the vet and money hungry vets!…
I don’t know where you live. But I am in Michigan. We had our cat laser declawed and it was only $80 for the front claws. Our vet did an excellent job and our cat was great the very next day.
9/30/07
Listen, it’s a matter of choice and each of us decides what is best for our circumstance. This is the same as staying out of my bedroom.I had my kitten declawed (front 2) at the same time as she was spayed. No regrets, everything worked beautifully. Now I don’t have to worry about the infections and leg swelling I got from her tiniest scratch. All you do gooders and holier than thou types are annoying to say the least.
PS. It was surgical declaw not laser.
IMS–It somewhat depends on where in the world you are. I had my cat’s 2 front done for under $200 and that included her shots that she was due for at the same time. I believe the price I was quoted for just the front declaw was $140. I agree that you will want to inquire about the vets’ experience with the laser procedure before coming to a decision. As far as how many paws to do, that’s really up to you. I only do the front. My cat is a strictly indoor cat, but should she ever escape the house, I don’t want her to be totally defenseless. If you are planning on allowing your cat outside, I would suggest the same. Hope that helps!
IMS, from what I’ve seen the front usually go in the neighborhood of $250 and all four between $325-$350. Good rates on something such as this usually come at a price somewhere down the line and it would probably be best to look into who has more experience with the laser procedure before making a decision. Laser experience is a heavy factor in the outcome and recovery from the operation from what I understand. Hope this helps and hope everything goes according to your expectations.
UMMM, actually… i was highlighting the image the public has of PETA given their willingness to exploit animal cruelty by controversial and negative campaigning (i.e. comparing animal treatment with pictures from the holocaust, giving pamphlets to kids saying “your daddy/mommy kills animals” with graphic pictures of gutting fish and rabbits, etc.)
UMMM, no talk of animal saviors (I know they euthanize nearly 100% of the animals given to them) I was saying that some people here are giving themself the image of an activist blinded by passion but seen by the public as, “radical extremists with a bizarre philosophy that considers the life of an insect equal to the life of a human being.” (a quote…. from research)
Would someone mind telling me the range of the laser declawing? I have 2 vets here that perform it and the prices differ a little.
One does the front for $106 and all four for $210
The other vet does the front for $250 and all four for $300+
Any ideas and suggestions? I’d appreciate if you can tell me if you had your kitties all 4 or just the front 2 done. Thanks in advance =]
PS: Jan, and the others that are opposed–please spare me the lecture. Thanks.
UMMM People, please stop referring to PETA as if they are the savior of animals.
Please do research before you put all your eggs in one basket.
Well said, Andrew.
Thomas
I tend not to back-up postings so am unable to resubmit.
“moronic, sad, selfish” seem to work though…?
mine was quite acceptable, thanks. far more than others. i simply stated that a certain person is finding it more appropriate to alienate her audience by attacking than turning them on to the issue at hand with compassion and understanding. although i am a cat sympathizer, I feel anybody who comes here looking for a rational debate will be hard-pressed to find one amongst these overly confrontational words. i basically get the image of your typical PETA activist who finds it more appropriate to draw negative attention to an issue than take the time to win people over correctly and educate them. to use the “i know how cats feel” card and then refuse to respond to others’ breeder overpopulation claims just reinforces the holier than thou attitude that is being felt from those posts.
personally although i agree that declawing (laser or no) is typically unnecessary, i feel anybody coming here for an objective opinion will be turned off from their kitty’s plight thanks to the poor approach of one claiming to be on the cats’ side. it ultimately is your (the owner’s) decision to make and as long as you have honestly and fully considered and weighed your options, you should not be made to feel guilty or judged for your decision. you are, after all, affording your pet a loved and complacent life in a happy home away from boarding cages. just please understand when weighing those options that it is a brutal operation with or without laser, it is not flawless and cat’s have had behavioral changes following. please be caring and patient enough to understand why your cat’s behavior may have changed in the aftermath if that is the case.
last word: good intentions cannot be perceived when overcast by spitting hate.
Thanks
Andrew
Milo’s owner
Andrew-
The only way a comment gets removed is if it is completely unacceptable. Those such as swearing, name calling or attacking other site visitors. All sides of the debate are welcome and are we pretty easy going on the comments as you can see above.
If you feel a comment was removed, please re-submit it or contact me directly to discuss further.
Thanks
Thomas
TwisterMc.com Owner
apparently posts ARE being removed. thanks for allowing my opinion to be heard christi.
I happened to come across this online debate a while back and I came back out of sheer curiosity to see that the claws out still out on this issue. Maybe Jan needs to be declawed?
By the way, what college degrees does Jan hold anyway and was English 101 a class in her program? Maybe a high school course such as English Grammar and Composition might have sufficed.
It just keeps gettin better- LOL-
You pe[p;le are a SCREAM! I just won’t believe caring.loving people, in the know, educated, would EVER declaw a cat, they are not any of what they claime, more like moronic, sad, high-maintenance, selfish…much better description!
Jan, you can think of me what you will. I really don’t care. I have no tolerance for someone who can be so hypocritical as to say that we should not elect delclaw surgery on our pets, but it’s perfectly fine practice to have our animals spayed and neutered, ripping out their genetalia, or even have our sons’ genitalia mutilated for the ease of cleanliness. My beautiful little kitty did not destroy furniture, she scratched her sisal post. She did not use her claws destructively. I elected to have her claws removed. If that makes me a bad person in your eyes, so be it. My vet did not recommend the procedure, I requested it. His advice…”I leave that decision to the owners.” He is a very well educated man who specializes in cat care…he only sees cats in his clinic. If he truly thought it was “cruel”, he would not You should not speak of people you do not even know in such a derogatory manner, it’s really unbecoming.
The bottom line?
Cat scratching IS NOT a behavioral problem, it’s a NATURAL NEED for every cat, for upper body toning, that vigorous grab and pull, for brakes when they run, for defense, climbing, handling and spearing object when playing. All of which cannot be accomplished without them!
What you, and others want, Shar, is NOT intelligent research. I HAVE researched, along with many other EDUCATED people., and unless YOUR research does not include VETS who derive more than half of their income from declaw surgeries, or spoiled, whiners that don’t even bother to actually research the NEEDS of a cat to have ALL IT’S CLAWS, you are way off in left feild! Pushing Cruelty id NOT an option, or a debatable thing!!!!!!!!!
I have 10 clawed cats in my large home, I also have furniture and carpet that has NEVER been touched by the many cats in over 27 years! Six Grandchildren that play with them that have NEVER BEEN scratched, they have been taught to respect a cat’s space, the cats respect them. But I have 4 cat trees in my home, 4 TALL cat trees I have to recover each year, because they are USED-to the max.The only time they use my furniture is when people are sitting on it, so they can enjoy laptime and pet time.
If this blog is actually about and for CATS vs. against them, and not all about spoiled, clueless women-or their vet friends who need the money to pay for their laser machines-GET WITH THE PROGRAM!
At lead=st I am not the *type of person* to inflict pain and harm onto another being…YOU did…so, now WHO is the *intelligent individual who did the, um, ahem, so called research*? Who did you research? A vet waiting for his/her check from YOU, OR??-some dumb uneducated shrill like yourself?
Please do not presume to insult my intellegence based on one issue upon which you and I disagree. I am a very well educated young woman who did quite a lot of research before making my choice. I watched you berate and belittle those of us who disagree with you about an issue that will never be resolved. I think it is you, Jan, that has no clue…no clue on how to educate and inform without belittling. And thank you so much for wishing upon us what you would call “cruelty.” That just goes to show the type of person you must truly be.
Yep-keep pushing the cruel altercations, you who haven’t a clue…
There is such a thing as RESPECT, hope in the future you all get what you’ve dished out. What you sow, so shall you recieve.
Karen–
There should not be any claw left. In any declaw procedure the entire digit is removed, there shouldn’t be anything left to “fall off”. It seems that perhaps the vet may have missed one. It seems incredible that such a thing could happen, but I suppose stranger things have occured. I would have the kitty checked out to make sure everything was done properly!
Question for anyone out there who is informed about laser declawing…
A friend of mine had her adopted 6-month old cat laser-declawed about a week ago. When I saw the cat a couple days after the procedure, he seemed happy & playful, but I noticed a single claw still on one paw. Has anyone else seen this before? I’m wondering if it’s something that’s not uncommon & will fall off on its own eventually, or if there is reason to be concerned. Not interested in debating the issue at this time, but would really appreciate any experienced opinions. Thanks!
Well, my little Bailey went in for her front delclaw about six weeks ago. We followed the vets instructions for aftercare and she recovered just fine. She has returned to all her former activities, including scratching her sisal post, just without her claws. Other than having to modify her “climbing” technique, she is no worse for the wear. She is perfectly happy without her front claws and I am happy to no longer receive the scars from playing. Just wanted to show that the surgery doesn’t always have such negative results.
All I have to say is what Alicia Silverstone said in the 90’s…”What-ever.”
I have several cats in my home that were adopted from shelters. Some have been declawed and some haven’t. They are all healthy and happy whether or not they have claws. I have not observed any difference. I have had cats all my life and have not observed any difference.
This is crazy how people will attack each other and their beliefs. It reminds me of why I choose not be around zealots. They are so closed-minded and do not respect others.
Please let people know your opinion and then step back and let them decide for themselves. If they choose to oppose you, let them be. Respect their decision. Agree to disagree and move on.
(Shar Quote:)Am I so naive as to think that every surgery goes as well as my cats’…no. But some people need to know that there are “safer” alternatives to having a destructive cat. Just as there is “safer” sex to prevent unwanted disease and pregnancy. Is it the best choice for young folks…not really, but if it’s the only alternative, it’s better than nothing.
But that’s just my point, *that* is NOT a safer alternative. If a cat becomes destructive, it is because his/her owners allowed it. I was angred when that fadt was pointed out to me years ago, but when I thought about it- Hey! how TRUE! And until kitty IS trained and you KNOW he/she is properly scratching in an apropriate place, you keep them confined to one room when you are not there.
Interestingly enough…men who are taught or “trained” to keep their uncircumsized genitalia clean, don’t have “cheese” growing in the folds. I only brought it up to prove that there are many opinions on every subject and one is not necessarily right as opposed to the other. Is there pain involved in elective surgery…of course. Am I so naive as to think that every surgery goes as well as my cats’…no. But some people need to know that there are “safer” alternatives to having a destructive cat. Just as there is “safer” sex to prevent unwanted disease and pregnancy. Is it the best choice for young folks…not really, but if it’s the only alternative, it’s better than nothing.
Yes Shar, and YES, they ARE circumsized.
This discussion was brought up recently at a dinner party to which one young lady, a cute, bubbly and aspiring attorney piped up “yeah mothers do this to their babies so that when they are MEN they don’t have cheese growing in the folds, YYYUCK! Have any of you ever seen a man not circumsized? GROSS!* I had to laugh, not something to bring up at a dinner party, but wine can do wonders I suppose, hehehe
So, there are reasons for everything we do, either factually, medically, or in our minds, like fables passed on through the years like old wives tales. ;^ )
I have friends and relatives who have declawed, hell, I never used to be against it either, not 25 years ago. Now we have education available to *upgrade* our awareness and compassion towards the world around us.
One excellent starter book is The Cat Who Cried for Help: Attitudes, Emotions, and the Psychology of Cats: Books: Nicholas Dodman.
This Doctor is at the Tufts University and carries with him a PHD
THere is so MUCH FREE information about humanely and easily training even the most difficult cats, that one is left with the thought that people either don’t care enough or are just oo lazy -sorry. Not trying to put anyone *down*-we all make mistakes, but we don’t pass them off as brite ideas for others to follow in our footsteps.
KitKat–
Some would have you believe that you are a most haneous person for even contemplating the thought of having your cat declawed. For every “atrocity” that happens, there are hundreds of declaws that haven’t gone awry. We only hear about the bad in this day and age. For every plane that crashes, thousands fly completely problem free. Now…all that said, Jan is correct. I don’t know whether your vet was being untruthful or just not as forthright as he should have been. Yes, a whole digit is removed when you have your cat declawed. However, it is not the digit on which a cat walks, as some would have you believe. Some say it “psychologically damages” your cat, that they no longer play as they did prior to surgery, that they aren’t “whole” anymore. My family has always had the front claws removed from our cats’. We have not experienced any of these adverse effects that these people are talking about. I firmly believe we all have unique situations and that you need to make your own decision, knowing your circumstances and knowing all the facts about the surgery. Don’t let people belittle you into making the wrong decision for you.
Jan, I was just wondering…do you have any sons?
KIt-Kat-
You bet there is something you’te not understanding, and it’s not your fault. By the *sheathe* they meand the knuckle- the BONE-a digit in the doe/finger-10 CRUEL, PAINFUL amputations. PLEASE- do NOT let ANYONE talk yo into it, I have had several declawed atrocities. It is just absolutely a regrettful thing.
To: JACKIE GERARDINO
where did you have your cat declawed? your situation sounds strangely similar to mine.
Comment removed by request of comment author.
My vet does lazer surgery and explained that only the nail and the sheath are removed? Is there something that I’m not understanding?
EXCELLENT letter, Laura!
Most definately little girls need to wait. i have assisted in surgeries and have seen those tiny uteruses *dropped*, they are so very tiny. Your advice and her vet’s was good, sound advice.
Just read this post on another blog-was MUSIC TO MY EARS! *smile*
Contributed by Dr. Jessica Levy)
Declawing is a hugely controversial procedure. To some people it seems a routine procedure, to others it’s a horrible mutilation of a beloved pet.
Jina and I have always debated declawing, whether we should even do it, and just how awful it was to continue to perform this procedure. Neither one of us would’ve ever declawed our own cats. As new business owners, however, we feared that if we didn’t offer declaws, our surgery schedule would be bare! I felt very confident about Jina actually doing them, because her surgical skills are amazing, and she is extremely conscious of pain control.
Then this past winter, I was on my way to Israel to visit family and attend my nephew’s wedding. Somewhere I came across a list of the countries in which declawing is illegal. To my surprise, Israel was one of the countries on the list. When I lived in Israel, there was not a big pet-owning population. In the Middle East animals were traditionally considered dirty, so having them in your house was quite unusual. Animals tended to often be casually mistreated or neglected. The people who frequented the vet clinic I worked at after high school were mostly Americans who had immigrated with their strange beliefs about keeping animals in the home.
My return to Israel was an eye opener! Pets were everywhere! Animals were treated courteously and kindly! When I grew up there, we used to joke about the “fur-lined streets,” but those are history! The best part is that all cosmetic surgeries are now illegal, so there were Boxers and Dobermans with ears and tails. I saw restaurants putting out leftovers for the cats.
As soon as I saw that Israel was on that list, I thought, heck, if they can do it, so can we. And as of the first of the year we stopped doing declaws. Our surgery schedule has remained steady. And we can feel good about ourselves, as doctors and as the representatives of those who cannot speak for themselves.
Posted by Central Bird & Animal Hospital at 10:30 AM
This post is TO: Comment by Claire Wilkins
July 16, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
Clair, your post is a bit confusing. You mention that you want to have your Kitten declawed (which you COULD prevent scratches to yourself by CLIPPING the nails on a needed basis…starting NOW would train the Kitten to accept this procedure, just as it did with all of my cats) THE CONFUSION starts with doing the removing the claws at the same time you neuter.
Next you refer to your Kitten as a SHE. Neutering is done on MALE CATS, SPAYING is done on FEMALE cats.
You mention that you want the cat ALTERED sooner than what your Vet has suggested as the optimum time to do the surgery.
PLEASE DO NOT UNDERMINE YOUR VET IN THIS MATTER. If your Kitten is a Female she is then to be SPAYED. Spaying is a VERY INVASIVE surgery. Common, yes, and if there are no surprises or problems it is considered a routine and safe, and GOOD surgery. It not only prevents unwanted pregnancies and surplus Kittens, it also helps to prevent breast cancer and cancer of the reproductive organs over all.
HOWEVER…it IS a far more invasive surgery than Neutering! They REMOVE body parts from the animal in Spaying. Although many rescue places both spay and neuter as young as 8 weeks, it is with the understanding that THEY MAY LOOSE THE Kitten. Young Kittens don’t even have enough blood to suffer much loss at all for any invasive surgery. The younger the kitten is, the higher the mortality rate goes up.
Your Vet has suggested the most OPTIMUM age at which to expose your Kitten to a Spay Surgery…He/She wants to give your beloved companion animal the best chance for having an unremarkable surgery that will go exactly as it should, with your Kitten, in your arms…groggy but ALIVE and waking up at the end of the day. If your Kitten is a Female…you need to wait.
Just trim (TIP) the nails till then with a toenail trimmer (the type you squeeze). You may decide that the having the nails (and part of the toe) removed is NOT necessary to your own health at all. When I tip my four cats nails…we can play as rough as we want..(the mighty hunter kitty boy/girl! Killer of creeping hands and fingers!) and I NEVER am scratched open…and trust me…my Cats are all adults and VERY serious about their stalking and murdering of their prime PREY…my tender fleshed hands! I have one goof-ball who after capturing my hand proceeds to turn into a Rat Terrier…biting (gently for all that it is) and shaking her head as if she is breaking a wood rat’s neck) Oh she’s so proud of her kill! Then she washes my hand.
I will be having my kitten declawed when neutered. Curent vet doesn’t do either before 6 months. This must be done as I have gotten cat scratch fever 2 times already from a tiny little scratch when she was trying to climb up a pant leg. I need a vet who will do this sooner than 6 months. She is almost 4 months and weighs 3 1/4 pounds. First kitten I ‘ve had. other cats were adults when they arrived. Last one was declawed and he was allowed out ( I didn’t know any better) and he could still hunt. he was always bringing home “gifts” ,mice, chipmonks, baby rabbits once and sometimes birds. he was a perfect cat who died at 16 because of tumors, was greatly loved and dearly missed.
Previous cats I’ve had destroyed sofas so to me the choice is easy to make. Delighted to see this board and the various opinions. Do those of you who oppose declawing also oppose neutering as this too could be thought of as against nature ?
Jacki,
Unfortunately laser declaw is no different than *regular* declaw except for the fact that it is a highspeed burning vs. scalpel, so the wounds from amputation are immediately closed, hence, little or no bleeding. Contrary to what is believed and advertised, pain is still apparent, although vets have told me the pain is delayed with laser declaws.
My sympathey is with you, and most especially your cat. I truly hope she will be OK. Thank you for writing, though, people need to understand how horrendous it is to go through what you just did, watching your poor cat suffer, just reading your letter may save another somewhere a similar fate. This is not what you were told it would be like, I am sure. Hopefully they will use good pain management for her, this will help.
How sad!
Jackie~
I don’t know what to tell you when we had our cats laser declawed they didn’t have to have stitches or glue. It kind of sounds like they did a regular declaw on her rather than laser declaw. I’m so sorry you are going thru this and I hope everything turns out ok for her. Please let us know what happens!
I HAD MY 1 YEAR OLD CAT DECLAWED BY LASER ON JULY 3RD,ON JULY 10TH I HD TO TAKE HER BACK TO THE VET BEACIUSE SHE WAS BARELY WALKING MORE THAN 4 OR 5 STEPS AND THEN LAYING DOWN. THEY KEPT HER AT THE HOSPITAL, AND I WAS TOLD THAT SHE WAS PROBABLY HAVING A REACTION TO EITHER THE SUTURES OR THE GLUE,THEY REMOVED THE STITCHES AND REPLACED THEM, I FEEL NY CAT HAS GONE THROUGH A TRAMATIC TIME WITH THIS,THYE TOLD ME THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP HER FOR AT LEAST 5 DAYS, IWENT TO SEE HER AND THEY HAD HER PAWS BANDAGED HALF WAY UP HER LITTLE LEGS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING TO HER CAN U PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT COULD HAVE GONE WRONG, THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A GOOD LASER PROCEDURE DONE ON MY CAT I FEEL TERRIBLE THAT SHE IS GOING THROUGH ALL THIS, I AM SO SORRY THAT I HAD HER DONE WHAT IS YOUR OPION ON THIS,.. THANK YOU VERY MUCH I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU I AM SO WORRIED ABOUT HER
For the kind & wise people posting that truly understand natural feline behavior & the emotional & physically toll declawing can inflict on a cat over it’s entire lifetime, you may be happy to know that the proclaw/anti-declaw movement in our country is gaining fast momentum!
Years ago there were just a few 100 proclaw/anti-declaw websites on the net, now there are 1000’s & 1000’s of veterinarians, organizations, cat owners who formerly declawed, rescues, & shelters posting sites trying to educate the uneducated about how invasive, unnatural, & unnecessary this surgery is for felines, and that they outcome is not always what was promised by the veterinarian.
The Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Best Friends Animal Society, and many, many more animal welfare organizations have all created position statements outlining the cruelty of this surgery, and even the veterinary assoc all have position statements stating that scratching is normal (not bad) feline behavior (it’s the cat owners that are the problem for not educating themselves about why claws & scratching are healthy & normal) and declawing is medically unnecessary (the amputation of a cats phalanges is strictly done for owners that are too selfish to spend the time to figure out what kind of scratch post their cat prefers to scratch).
DECLAWING WILL BE ILLEGAL IN THE UNITED STATES! We will soon follow the rest of the world (it’s already illegal in 23 countries) and ban this unnecessary animal cruelty. This year both Norwolk, VA and W. Hollywood, CA have enacted bans against declawing, so we now have 2 American cities that have made this surgery illegal, and many more cities are working toward a ban to protect the cats in their cities from having their healthy knuckle-bones chopped off for no valid reason (human convenience is not a valid reason). The entire nation will soon follow suit.
DECLAW BAN upheld in W.Hollywood,CA 6/2007
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/23/DECLAW.TMP
DECLAW BAN in Norfolk, VA 4/2007
http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=6427984&nav=ZolHbyvj
And for the millions of already declawed cats sitting on death row in our shelters because they were kicked out of their house for probably committing some other normal feline act, or peed on the couch because their declawed paws were too injured or painful to rake litter from the arthritis that inevitably sets in, having a declaw ban may their only chance for getting a second chance in a home. Instead of veterinarians destroying healthy, whole paws, the cat owners who are too lazy to live with cat claws will have to adopt already declawed cats. And vets will be forced to sell nail trimmers, scratch pads, and monthly nail trims instead of mutilating healthy cat paws – sounds like a civilized, kind, thoughtful society to me!
I surely will Jan, untill I’m no longer living, or in a nursing home. Just trapped mamma cat and 4 kittnes last night. On their way to vet tomorrow. The job of finding homes begins again, and never ends.
A car slowed down about 3:00 am this morning, Im figuring, I will find more kitties befor the weekend is over. I live in the country, and people think, if they are dumped out here they will just mouse and be ok, not thinking about cars, dogs, hawks, cyote, poision, hateful abusive people,disease,not to mention, worms and other parisites, that can quickly over whelm their systems.
I just do all I can and pray and pray for all of them.
Thank Heaven we have a retired vet that will neuter and spay and first round of shots for 10 dollars a kitty, if you are disabled, elderly and on fixed income. Makes it somewhat easier to find homes once that is done..
To all that help a stray, check to see if your vet has a program that helps with spay and neuter if you are very low income, and totaly disabled.
Also, adopt a shelter cat, prefurrably one that is older and has been waiting a long time, or one that is special needs. They have a much harder time getting homes, than kittens do. But if your heart is set on a kitten, there are plenty there, all colors, short haired, long haried, male, female, and also pure breed kitties.
And yes there are some there that have allready been declawed, for ones who would be best suited with one. In our shelter right now there are 14 kittes, 4 of which are declawd.
Bright blessings and happy 4th to all, by the way, if you for any reason have a kitty that is outside, try to birng it in over the holliday, they are terrifyed of fireworks, also there are some sick people out there that will abuse kitties with firecrackers and such.
I know that the issues Im speaking of now, have nothing to do with the declaw issue on this board, so Im leaving now, Love to all. Linda
Keep up the good work, Linda…
Peace
Each and every one of my kittens are a HUGE improvement over the parents..heallthwise and purr-sonalitywise…HOWEVER-the right person 9 who doe not hole a kitten or cats claws as hostage for a good home) can adopt a most PURR-fect pet from a shelter or humane society! If you ar e one who is not *into* training and properly supplying your feline pet with a good cat-tree-BEFORE you bring it home…PLEASE, think about adopting a cat that someone else has already mained and dumped. Be their ANGEL, not their persecuter.
Please do not feel sorry for me and my cats,Jan,all 7 of them not having included in the count the 2 strays Im trying to find a home for and have been for over 9 months. Pluss the mother cat up the street with 4 kittens Im working on traping an helping. I have done nothing to ever harm any animal in any way. My cats need no one feeling sorry for them.They are my heart and soul.
I do not wear animals or eat them, or kill them, or breed them, or declaw cats. I only save them fix them and take care of them with all the love I have. Spending most the money I have doing it all.
This is not ment as an argument, but to let you know what Im about. Bless all the kitties on this board, and all who take care of them.
I agree with Redhawk that this is not a perfect world, I also agree that people do pretty much what they want and after all we do all have the freedom to make our own choices.And unless we are breaking laws, there is not much anyone can do about anyone elses choices.
You can educate, but you cannot force. I guess that is what is makeing so many upset with Jan , she had been trying to force her opinions on everyone else.
She passed being educating a long , long time ago. As did I.
I do not agree that it is allright to breed no matter what the reason.
You say you belive it is allright for professional breeders, because of supply and demand, well there is plenty of supply of cats out there. Even purebred cats waiting in shelters.
You seem to think it is allright to kill animals as long as they have had a good life, and treated well.
Im sorry but I cant agree with that. Taking a life is taking a life.
I do not declaw, nor do I promote it. I just came in here because my friend I live with had been coming in here, and I saw that so many in here were being bad mouthed by Jan. She made it all way too personal, instead of giving her set of facts and moving on. As did I.
I will never change my mind on breeding while there are too many cats allredy. There is no reason that people that “want what they want, cannot get a purebred cat from a shelter”
As Im sure Jan will not change her mind about breeding and about declawing, or that anyone else in here will not change there minds once it is made up, and Heaven only knows there is enough information on all of it.
I do agree that it is getting heated in here, and everyone has their right to what they beleive and to make choices on that beleif. However, once all the facts on all sides have been posted, you are only beating a dead horse, and being rude and hateful. Myself included.
Jan will not and cannot force those that want to declaw to stop, any more than I can stop her or force her to stop breeding. Or to stop people from eating meat, wearing furr, etc.It is a free country.I can preach everyday in here, and I can belittle people everyday, but that is not gonna stop people from breeding, eating meat, wearing furr, declawing,etc. All it will do is aggitate everyone.
I can agree to dissagree. And to let everyone go their merry way.
There are exceptions to every rule and every situation however. some in here had no other choice. I guess you could say they could have given the cat to someone else, but with all the stray and homeless, do you have any idea how hard it is to find a home, it is not that simple.
i have been rescuing for over 40 years,at least 15 to 25 a year and it doesnt always matter how many contacts you have, or how hard you plead and use all the contacts, you cannot place all the homeless cats. so in some cases, if the only other option is putting the cat, outside to die a horible death, or into a shelter, while it waits for years so many times, or is PTS.
Then I myself would shake the hand of the ones that took in a cat that no one else would have and gave it all that they could.
I am below poverty level, I am totaly disabled with a a chroinc disease that causes severe debilitating pain, every minute of every day, yet i take in cat after cat, afeter cat, that has been tossed away, and keep them and have them spayed and neuterd, and I pay all this out of my measly $623.00 dollars a month. so I am always feeding these strays while I myself go hungry. So you can see why it so very hard for me to beleive that the world needs another cat to be bred.
I will not attack Jan, not will I belittle her again on here, Nor will I tell her once more how I feel, she has her rights and everyone else in here has theres, most people do the very best they can with what thy have. And in there own way and with what is in there own heart.
I dont beleive anyone in here needs to continue to be preached at about the declaw issue or the breeding one.
We should all be ashamed,very much so including myself. We are at war right now, with men, women and childern being killed everyday,soldiers fighting for the freedom we hold so dear.While we argue about cats,and all other animals. So it is time to back off, and live and let live.
If I saw any one of you here, ready to be shot over a cat, or any other animal, I would stand up for you and say, as much as I love the animals, we are animals too, and we should care just a little more about each other than the animals.
As long as there is no law being broken, then to each there own. If a law comes down that peoeple cannot declaw, im sure people will abide by that, and if a law comes down that people cannot eat meat, then there you are, if a law comes down that you cant breed, then so beit.
Untill then my firends, lets stop this dancing, and accept and respect each other.
My apoligies to Jan. My she have a happy and healthy life.
The love you receive is equal to the love you give.
The other point of view….
By Dr. Nicholous Dodman:
http://www.kittenrescue.org/declaw.htm
Why Cats need claws by Gary Lowenthal:
http://www.theanimalspirit.com/declaw.html
Franny Syuffy’s site:all about all cat care aspects:
http://cats.about.com/
http://www.stop declaw.com
http://www.goodcatswearblack.com/declawing/about_declawing.htm
http://www.hawthornevet.com/
Obviously…this is a very emotionally charged debate. I thought is to become informed on ALL aspects and so make a more informed decision
In a perfect world everyone would be capable of co-existing without causing harm to any other creature. That’s not the world we currently live in. People kill people for GREED, we kill animals for food, we kill the planet for MORE GREED. We crop the ears and tails on dogs for FASHION, kill endangered species for MORE FASHION….ignore the needs of children and the elderly for selfishness, ignorance, and ultimately greed.
There are bull fights, cock fights, dog fights. There are zoos and aquatic parks where wild animals are denied their freedom to pander to our interest in seeing them, Circus’s still travel about to entertain us and our children with their “trained” animal acts.
We eat meat from animals who do not have any remote “good quality” of life prior to being killed in the most barbaric manners possible, instead of affordable FREE-RANGE meat being raised where the animals DO have a comfortable, normal life that can be enjoyed until they are called upon to be more “humanely” killed for food. We tamper with produce, with meats, and grains in ways that cause more harm to our bodies than provide healthy benefits…(see GREED AGAIN).
We often live our own lives with little or no thought or concern to the old person who has no insurance, little money for food, family who is not proactive in respecting or caring for them as they age…who sits alone watching Jerry Springer instead of being encouraged to taken out to sit in the sun; or shade and converse with someone who cares and honors them for what they have seen throughout their lifetime.
I personally believe that declawing is wrong. I think there can often be a better way to deal with the problem of clawing than to remove the claws. I think that eating meat that is raised in humane and natural circumstances is allowed if that is what a person wants to do and can afford such costs, it “ain’t” cheap to do this!
I think that INDISCRIMINATE Breeding is wrong too. I’m pro neuter and spay all the way. But, as a trainer of dogs and horses for over 30 years I also know that supply and demand is a REAL part of life and I would rather see someone breeding who is select, careful, NOT over breeding, striving to improve a given breed, be it CAT, Dog or Horse. Because like it or not PEOPLE WANT WHAT THEY WANT and someone is going to continue to breed every given TYPE of animal from mammal to bird and fish. Anyone who knows anything about breeding KNOWS that a PROFESSIONAL BREEDER, who CARES about the breed they have…RARELY, IF EVER makes any real money off of it! They do it to provide an improved, high-quality animal to those who insist they want one. They also generally include that they will take back the animal if there is not 100% satisfaction in the purchase of the animal. Puppy Mills/pet stores DON’T do this; nor do indiscriminate breeders of CATS or Horses.
As with all elective surgeries it is up to each of us to GET ALL THE FACTS and make an informed decision.
I suggest that as the best course of action.
Jan, I am wondering. On your site you say ” We think our kittens and cats are pretty special just the way they are without any need of re-designing.
Then at the top on the left, you advertise….
Ragdoll/Raga-pers/ Designer kittens.
How two faced can you be? I guess the Ragdolls nor the Persians were special enough just the way they were , that they didnt need to be bred with each other to make “designer” kittens. Talk about Phoney.
Not only do you breed , you make a whole new breed to breed. Shame on you. Recreating and redisigning for profit and prestige. Yep, you sure do love cats.
Too bad its only the purbreed cats, that you work so hard to put into good homes while others die.
I wish everyone and there kitties well, Im not posting anymore, there is no reason to subject myself to the hateful rantings and ravings of lunitic Jan.
Ill leave the claw showing that she is so fond of saying, to her, since she does it so much better and nastier than anyone else in here.
And unlike her, I wont post again after saying that I wont.
She is so full of herself, i think she just likes to hear herself.
And the post that she put in about the vet that couldnt get through, hogwash, no one else is having problems posting. She probably made that all up herself.
When are you gonna get it Jan, no one is listing to you and changing there minds any more than you are listning to Linda and changing your mind. “GET IT”.
Linda is right you truly are a hypocrite.
I am the lady that lives with Jean that works with dissabled, and mentaly dissabled adults and childern.
I sent the post number 23035, Jean had just posted and I didn’t get the addy changed befor I sent mine.
I dont agree with Jean on the issue of spaying, I beleive it helps stop the overpopulation of cats and kittens.
Im not sure she is against it, just that she thinks it also is elective. But that is her argument. Mine is breeding.
As I said my passion is homeless cats and kittens, and there is not much more I can say about it, I do agree that you cant get peoeple to change their minds just because you want them to. If that was the case, Jan would stop breeding.
Jan had posted sometime back that she was not going to post anymore, that must have been a lie.
She cant seem to help herself Yes Jan, I can hear it now, If I can just save one cat from being declawed, well if I can help stop one cat from being bred!!!
Once I say I wont post anymore I wont, but Iv’e not said that, Im not a liar and don’t intned to start now.
I hate the plight of homeless cats and kittens myself. I have had to bury many that have been hit out here, from being dumped, befor I could get them trapped and spayed and neuterd and found a home for, or taken to a shelter.
I have to agree with Linda about breeding. I have taken in so many cats and kittens and raised them and helped transport, to homes in other states, but too many times there are no homes. No matter how many contacts you have. And breeding does add to the cat population. I have to agree, in my mind there are no reasons good enough to make more cats.
On the declaw issue, I will leave that to you all.
Dear Jan do not call me “you People” I have not once said i am pro-declaw” as far as you know I might be against it. What I am against is people like you being so hateful to others, when you , yourself are doing somthing terribly wrong.
And your comeback is that Im making things up. You know Im right. I do not lie and I do not make things up. Educate yourself.
The agrument about eating meat, is a long standing one, it certanly is not made up. Next time you eat a hmaburger, think about the cow, that was tortured, while you enjoy eating its flesh.
I know this thread was about declawing but you have mane it into abuse and cruelty, and you are as cruel as the next one, to eat meat )if you do.
I dont know, you can tell me anything,, but I do know from your own sight that you breed, so you cant lie about that. And as many time as you tell me it is right and and that you have an excuse and reason that is good enough, I will tell you , that you are wrong, and that no reason is good enough, your passion, my passion, at least Im doing nothing wrong to any animal for any ..pitiful excuse of a reason.
Jan, JFYI, there are plenty of kitties that were homeless that are used to help people in nursing homes, group homes, and for mentaly dissabled, and physicaly disabled, they do not have to be bred for that, or purebred.
My friend that lives here with me works for the MRDD, and they do not use purbred cats.
I dont belevie for a minute you ment that by your posting on your sight”special kitites for special people” you are reaching there, trying not to look so bad for breeding.
and yes, cats can end up with diseases, and health problems if they live long enough with their reproductive organs, but that is no reason to take then out., and yes thy can have many problems form having it done as well, dear.
Even people that live long enough can get cyst tumors, cancer of their reproductive organs, and maybe if they are taken out, that would prevent it, but you dont see it being done to peole. that is somthing that people have decided for cats.
Would you take your 6 month old daughter and take out her utures, cause maybe, just maybe she could end up with a disese of them?
No you would not. Im not saying it is not a gude argument for overpopulation, cause it is, but there again, you speak of alternitives, there are altenivtives for this also, like I said beform keep all male kitties, or all female kitties, that woudl do away with sexually transmitted disease, and also stop the overpopulation, and Im not quite sure kitties keeping what God gave them is a problem for them, any more than with humans.
Yeah, maybe the female is not to happy while she is in heat, but then neither is woman during her period. but we dont rip her uterous out.
You say well, there is no pill to prevent kitties getting pragnent, but keeping them apart would, why do you not want to come up with alternitives for that ?
are you too lazy.
Cats have been around for many years, without humans makeing decisions for them and did just fine, maybe we should not of domesticated them to begain with.
You say spaying and nutering helps keep them out of shelters because of spraying, and agression, well if you love your little kitty enough sprayin on your floors and walls will not matter, nor will the agression, dont be too lazy ..work with it, teach them not to bite and scrath. or are you too lazy?
they end up in shelters not because they spray, but because someone doenst like their floors and walls peed on. a todler, can rip its diaper off, and pee in the floor, do you send them to a shelter? do you have them fixed so they wont, do you fix teenagers, because they get agressive? no you dont. You take the time to work with them, cause you love them. right?
so the only argument you really have, is that it is better for them healthwise, and that is decided by who??? Humans, not the kitties. I have a neighbor that has raise kitties all her life, she is 80 now and she has always taken in only females, and they have not been fixed, and many of them are 20 or older, and they are fine, healthy and happy, and they dont get out, because whe she knows someone is coming she takes the time to put them all in another room unteill she lets people in, and does the same thing when she lets people out, cause she is not too lazy.
You know a person can argue anything, but you cant change peoples minds just because you want to.. you lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink,
just like Linda cant stop you from breeding. you cant rant and rave and pull your hair out, but the choice will be each persons own, and there is not any more you can say than you allready have about decalwing,everyone on here has heard you loud and clear, but the decisons will still be theirs, just like breeding will be yours.
You would not want sonmone to come and close you down, or threaten you, or call you names, because you beleive differnt. You can loby to make it a law to not decclaw, so maybe you should put your efforts there, and then hunt down and have arrested the people that do.
and maybe , just maybe it will be a law that people cant breed anymore that is somthing that should be done.
Oh yes, and the poor little kitties that are homeless are my passion, so you can say all you want, you are adding to the problem.
You are such a hyprocrit , promoting spay and neuter, while breeding. Such a Pity.
I myself promote spay and neuter, but you try to make people feel like they are criminals while you are adding to the death of homeless kitties by breeding and selling uneeded cats.
dont breed while others need
dont buy while others die.
thats my moto for my passion. and you cant make a good enough argument for breeding.
You try holding and trying to comfort a cat that is being PTS because there are not enough homes, and then go home and look into the eyes of your cats you breed, try looking into the eyes of the kitty that is being put down a few times. Think about that tonight while you hold one of yours, and continue justifying breeding.
You just said yourself that some of yours have been declawed by people that took them, and now….In your words…Now I have to go through all kinds of crap to check people out…Well hon, if you didnt breed and sell, you wouldnt have to would you?
anything could happen to the kittens you sell, once they leave your house you have no controll of what happens to them,life gives no guarantees.
But I can guarentee, that way to many homeless kitties are hungry tonight, scared, being poisiend, mulled by dogs, hit by cars, tortured by people, set on fire, …and you are making more cats. simple as that.
No Jan I did not make up anything i posted, it is all true.
I dont care how many people have thanked you for teaching and advising, etc. you still are breeding while there are too many cats than there are homes for. There is no excuse you can give me to make that “allright”.
And yes eating meat is promoting the slaughter of animals. So you try to to tell me this is made up. You are so phoney it is pathetic.
I dont care how much money you have given to shelters, you still are breeding, even just once, is once to many.
Just how many stray kitties do you have in your home along with your precious pure bred ragdoll kitties, you say that we should work with nature and accept kitties as they are, why then do you breed ragdolls with persians? Hmmmmmmmm
and here is another reason not to breed, there is no way you can be postive that the kitties you sell will not be declawed, even if papers are signed, what if the someone that takes one, is killed in an accident and the kitty is given to someone else, who declaws it, you get no gurantees, and once again none of this is made up, its facts, unlike a lot of your remarks.
The bit about there are more declawed kitties in shelters, look all over the web at the shelters across the states, that have kitties up for adoption, you will find that more of them are kitties with there claws.
You see only what you want to see and hear only what you want to hear. You can dish it out but you cant take it . Hmmm?
Bet you are a meat eater.
You come in here running everyone down, and calling them names, saying they have their claws out, that is so juvinile and immature.
Yeah you have worked with vets, so have I, You have worked with shelters, so have I, you have raised and known kitties, so have I and Im telling you,while you breed kitties, no matter ho much you educate peole, you are still adding to the overpopulation of cats.
Rather it be one kitten or 300.
You cannot tell me that is not wrong.
OMG! Linda and Brian:
I don’t believe what I am reading: did you make up waht you wrote or did someone else? Unbelievable!
I have hundreds of people THANKING me for teaching/advising proper kitty training/management, then we have you people who..Oh, never mind, I don’t hate you, or even dislike you, you just , I guess didn’t know any better (?) I just feel sorry for your kitties and for you, that you were so badly mislead. It DID NOT HAVE to be this way…you just listened to the wrong people, trust me on that.
Oh, and Jean with your claws showing:
Um, dear, cats are much HEALTHIER spayed and neutered.
And JFYI: I startee out breeding RAGDOLLS for the purpose of special people: (brain and physically handicapped children and adults)
GET IT???
THEN I realised some people STILL declawed them, even without cause…DUHH, these people were TRULY mentally handicapped, but electively, not naturally…so, NOW I have to go through all kinds of crap to check people out, it seems most of my kitties are better than those who adopt them…smarter too…how unfortunate, eh?
FYI- I have spent over $8,000 in rescue over the past 5 years- all out-of-MY pocket- NO CONTRIBUTIONS- I have spayed and neutered about 300 in the past 30 years…
But the poor, unfortunate declawed kitties are STILL my passion…FORGIVE ME!!!!!!!!
From a super COOL lady whio not only works as a vet tech, but also still spends all her money on rescues:
(she had trouble -spent an hour trying to post here) Wrote to me of the technical difficulties presented here)
Hi everybody – just my 2 cents here about this topic since I’ve worked at vet clinics and have watched declaw surgeries done by both scalpel and laser method.
In my opinion, there really is no better method – at the end of both surgeries lies a clump of cat paw that needs to be discarded. I’ve found it to be a horrible sight to see and if you’re thinking of doing this to your cat, I would highly recommend watching a surgery FIRST. Chances are nail trimming, Soft Paws, Sticky Paws, cardboard scratch pads, and sisal scratch posts won’t seem like such a chore after watching how much healthy “cat” is severed off during this procedure.
I now work for a vet who does not declaw cats since he believes it’s unethical, and after observing the declawed cats he’s seen come into the clinic, is convinced these cats carry more stress, have more stress related illnesses over their lifetimes, are biters, and have more litterbox issues when they get older because of the painful arthritis that sets in their amputated feet & then comes their refusal to dig litter with their paws anymore. Plus he tells the clients claws ARE very beneficial for cats, physically & emotionally, plus can be life saving. Yeah, they CAN survive without them, provided the surgery didn’t leave them completely crippled which does happen, but claws sure make life better, richer, easier, and more complete for cats.
More and more vets are refusing to declaw these days since the lifetime consequences of this surgery are coming to the forefront – http://www.declaw.com – of course there are always going to be vets who encourage declaw because it has become such a cash cow for them.
Also, regarding laser, according to this info, the 2 articles in the vet journals both state that this method is actually MORE painful for cats : http://network.bestfriends.org/Blogs/PostDetail.aspx?bp=319
Here’s more resources if anyone is interested – I personally wouldn’t do this to a cat and have always been able to easily train my cats to use their sisal scratch posts.
By Dr. Nicholous Dodman:
http://www.kittenrescue.org/declaw.htm
Why Cats need claws by Gary Lowenthal:
http://www.theanimalspirit.com/declaw.html
Franny Syuffy’s site:all about all cat care aspects:
http://cats.about.com/
http://www.stop declaw.com
http://www.goodcatswearblack.com/declawing/about_declawing.htm
http://www.hawthornevet.com/
I am reading some extremely PHONY letters. I have been in the veterinary practice for many years, and trust me, these letters are PHONEY!!!
I love my little kitty, and have had her from when she was very little. She has always been terrified of being held (even by me!) and so trimming her claws is close to impossible. Especially now that I am living alone and there’s no one to help. She also has always had trouble controlling the extension and retracting of her claws, and I will sometimes hear her crying in a room because she is stuck, unable to pull her claws out of something (this morning it was a suitcase). She doesn’t claw the furniture except by accident when walking over it and getting stuck.
I will be having her declawed, with a laser, and to those who say it is cruel, please know that in her case, her quality of life will improve a great deal once the surgery is done.
If someone wants to see declawing facts from the pro-side of declawing, here is a link. This way you can compare a bit befor you make decisions.
http://www.geocities.com/declawing/index.htm
You know, just wondering, how many of the people in here protesting declawing cats are meat eaters.
If they are eating meat, while there are pleanty other sorces of food, fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains, how can they profess to be humane and belittle others for declawing, while they know by doing so,(eating meat that is) innocent, creatures are being slaughterd, guess they dont think that is painfull or wrong. After all its only a cow, you want to see some graphic photos, that say “get the picture” try going to a PETA sight.
What determains the differnce between pets and animals for slaughter?
You talk about all the countries that are against declawing, did you know about the countries that eat cats, yes, they eat cats. You should be trying to do something about that.
Why is it cows, pigs, chickens,turkeys, fish, are not given the same respect as cats?
Also to all the vets out there that state that declawing cats is wrong, I wonder, do these same vets, crop puppies ears, and dock their tails, that is very much elective surgery. Yet they take the money, just cause some pet owners like the look better. Guess you would say, they dont use there tails, or their ears, it doesnt effect them, well we cant ask them can we?
If you have men who will exclude ANY of Gods creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity. You will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men) Dr Dan…do you eat meat? Then I guess you would eat humans also?
Ask a little stray or feral sitting alongside the road, frightened, starving, full of worms and covered with fleas, if it thinks it is a good idea for people to breed cats at all. For every purbred cat that is bought, a stray goes homeless. And the money spent to buy one, could feed many strays. Wrong is wrong, guilt is guilt. Jan, you appear to be no better than anyone else.
Oh pardon my , what looks to be misspelling, but my 22 year old, totaly intact male kitty, that has not one disease or problem, was helping me type.
He wonders if the precious “special kitties for special people” are more precious than he was, jsut a little found in the middle of the road stry mixed breed.
He thinks they must be, since they are not spyaed and nuetered each and everyone, but insted are bred, while kitties like him, mostly end up homeless.
and the bit about being to lazy to teach your kitties not to claw, are peole who promote spaying and nueteing to lazy to just clean up where the males spray or the females, spot?
Any surgery that is done, without a medical problem allready being present is indeed an elective surgery. Look it up .
And yes the kitties hide the pain of being spayed also, and neuterd, sometimes all their lives, especially the females, with the vaulva being thin and and irratated.
sexually transmitted diseases can not happen if kitties are indoors and the males kept from the females, unless of course you are to lazy to do so.
People also get t=sexually transmitted disease, maybe we should insist all humans are fixed. hey might even help with overpopulation.
Jam, you dont like declawing, then by all means dont declaw, you have made yourself perfectly clear. preach it on your own site which has been posted here.
I dont like brreders, they take money whfile they add to the overpoulation of kitties, when there are allrady way to more kitties than there are homes.
and yes spaying is elective, no matter what you say or waht your reasons are.
God created these creatures perfect as they are.
I guess you would think a little differnt of , what is thought best for the kitties, was what was thought best for you,. Women end up getting tumors, and cyst and cancer of there reprodutive organs, but they are not take to get “fixed’ because this might happen to them if they live long enough. and ther are amny kitties that are “whole’ that lives their whol lives intact, and do not have these diseases.
and you say your kitties dont get theses disesea, Diabetes etc, cause you keep them aprat when you get new ones in, well, I hate to break it to you, but diabetid is nto cintagious.
and if kitties are to be protected form diseas that are sexually transmitted, take in only male or female, kitties, thats an alternitive. Just like a scratching post is an alternitive to scratching.
You said spaying is not elective, that is a flat out lie. you yourself added spraying, and roaming as reasons, if they are kept indoors, they will not roam, if they are indoors, and do I hear of hint of people not wanting there fllor and walls reuind from spraying?? What is the differnce of that and funiture being ruined. Hmmmmm?
Do what you must, but dont cram it down otheres throats, you have done your educating, You have your ideas posted on your site, and your site link is posted in here.
Now every one go to her site and see the beZAutifull ragdoll kitties she breeds, and gets paid paid for while other kitties die.
God knows what He is doing when he creates creatures, and He also love us all equally, yes, He loves these in here, as much as He loves and accepts you. now, mayve you should learn to accept peoples right to do what they belive to be best.
If declawing is made to be banned here by law, then yu can turn these people in. Untill then, you have had more than your say in here, over, and over and over. maybe its time to listen about your breeding.
i myself feel that brreding should be banned, untill there are no more homeless kitties.
Declawing by ANY MEANS IS CRUEL and PAINFUL for the cat having it’s TOE REMOVED. Every single cat that has had its claws removed has also had the first digit of its TOE removed, laser or knife it matters not. For the rest of its life THAT CAT is missing an entire joint on each and every toe. No more can the cat grip a scratching post to benefit from the full stretch that ALL CATS CRAVE when “clawing” their posts. EVERY STEP causes PAIN for the rest of the cat’s life.
Tell yourself that it is not cruel, all you want, but its a lie, a mistake. Try removing the first digit of your fingers or toes and then try telling such a fib, with a straight face. Animals do NOT usually relay pain as humans do. They simply bare it, usually quietly. But that does not mean they are not in pain. Only that once more a selfish, lazy person has not bothered to teach them what BEHAVIORS (such as clawing furniture) are NOT acceptable, or have not provided enough ACCEPTABLE ENRICHMENT to entice them NOT to mess with the furniture.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do NOT DECLAW YOUR CATS AND KITTENS. TRAIN THEM TO USE ACCEPTABLE POSTS AND OTHER CAT FURNITURE TO ENJOY CLAWING INSTEAD OF YOUR FURNITURE. IT CAN BE DONE…BUT ONLY YOU CAN HELP YOUR CAT LEARN WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO CLAW…WITH…THEIR NATURAL CLAWS AND TOES UNCUT.
DECLAWING IS A BARBARIC AND BACKWOODS surgery that was someone’s BAD idea to re-design nature to fit their needs.
If people use their brains and work WITH nature, vs against it (O perish the thought of some -eh?) They could at last find the solutions are EASY and not a need for DRASTIC cruelty.- only then can they actually say-WOW! cats are so COOL!!!
( Neither I , or anyone I know has EVER complained about cats’ claws…only uneducated, NOT cat savvy people, and they almost NEVER seek TRUE feline experts…they don’t WANT to hear what they have to say…(imagine that?)
Dr. Dan…it would seem as if these ladies have their own claws out…They are bent on proving they did no wrong-and as human beings I guess we have to try to believe we are good, our intentions are pure, even if selfishly originated. Oh the excuses and reasons we dream up, eh?
all of these arguments have been proven without a doubt, yet they keep repeating the same old same old…
spaying and neutering:
*prevents cats /dogs from sexually transmitted, incurable diseases, disease passed on to kittens, straying, spraying, tumors, infections, so, no, it is not an *elective* surgery for the convenience of man, but a necessary surgery for the betterment of the animals’ life!
Declaw, on the other hand is not, and never will be , no matter how you try to maneuver the actual facts. For years they couldn’t prove possitive after effects, now they have. But that too, falls on deaf ears.
PLEASE- if you were raised by old fashioned parents without feline savvy- don’t adopt- save yourself and the poor animal alot of greif!
I have met vets sumber than a box of rocks, whose parents paid their way. Yes! Far too many could use their brains to bring money into their clinics, but, they, like you, are too lazy…they go for the EASY street, so what if their pet suffers…they don’t…
*We?*
So you are qualified to speak as a group for all who agree with this?
Amen, Jean.
And Dr. Dan–I’m so glad you have so much faith in your fellow veternarians and that you know how “MOST are in it for the money.” Do you not rely on the money brought in by the procedures you perform for your livlihood? It seems to me that all vets are “in it for the money”, however, some have more compassion than others for the animals for whom they care. The vet I take my kitten to specializes in cats, he neither advocates nor discourages declawing…it is based on individuals cases.
It seems to me that no one here denies the fact that declawing a cat or kitten is an “elective” surgery that removes a part of the animals anatomy, after all, facts are facts. And yes, we seek solice in the fact that others have had this procedure done because we ARE genuinely caring, loving pet owners.
No disrespect to Dr. Dan, but were you not on here a few days ago saying you dont make a habit of posting on these kind of blogs, and that “this would ” be your first and “only” post. Well, here you are again.
“While people are given “choices” to have their felines mutilated, oblivious of the pain, after effects, their pets have no choice. They are subject to the “randomness” of the minds of clueless owneres.”
” No compassion no pity for this ELECTIVE, cruel surgery,”
Are we to beleive that spaying and neutering is not an “Elective” surgery.? Yet it is justified because we humans feel it will cut down on the population of unwanted kitties. “Elective is elective” no matter what surgery it is. They are still under anithesia, still cut into , invasive surgery, still have pain and a recovery period. Are we not to beleive this is a choice of humans, that the felines have no voice or choice in this?
Is this pain less cruel or paninful? Do DVM’s not get paid highly for this procedure, are not many vets in this for the money? not only is it still an elective surgery, it is pushed on people, we are told it is “better for the feline”. Well, lets ask the kitties if they agree.
If the good reasoning behind this elective surgery is to prevent unwanted kitties , then there are also other options to this surgery. People could take in only all males, or all females, and they could all be kept indoors, which kitties should be any way, if we are not to be cruel. then no reason for this elective surgery, and do these felines have any ill effects from this surey? Lets see, they have the fear of being at the vets, they have the pain of surgery, the pain of recovery period.
Also if people want to complain about unwanted kitties, making spaying and neutering somthing that is needed and justified, then why do we put up with and tolerate, breeding of purebred kitties, while there are so many homeless kitties that are not purebred, dying and suffering everyday, being hit by cars, mutalated by dogs, poisened, and tortured by people? that to me is very cruel. And irresponasable.
Shame on breeders trying to make someone else feel bad,When they are adding to the plight of homeless kitties, and yes purebreed kitties do end up in shelters with all their claws.
Female kitties that are spayed sometimes have problems, of thinning of the vaginal tissues, causing dryness and discomfort. I know this because I have one that has this problem.
Can anyone in here tell me spaying and neuting does not hurt? that there is no pain? No sufering, can you tell me it is not “Elective” not a choice by humans. T
Can you tell me it is only done, because there is a medical problem with their reprodutive organs?
If this way of thingking was pushed upon people, you must all be castrated or have a hysterctomey, because there are too many people, because this is whats best for our well being. How well do you think that would go over, if you are saying it is ok to make this choice for felines, who cannot say no, then this way of thinking is no better than any other excuse for an elective surgery.
Well the poor felines cannot protest, except with their pitifull mewing soft crys of pain after it is done. Suffering needlessly is suffering needlessly no matter what “elective” surgery it is.
Im not condoning or condeming declawing. Just stating it like it is, the pot calling the kettle black,…….. an elective surgery, is an elective surgery, no matter how you try to justify it. So if you have an argument about declawing maybe you should reconsider your views on spaying and neutering
And if you want a quote from a famous person, check out the Bible
” Judge not , lest yee, be judged”.
Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things,
humanity will not find peace.”
Albert Schweitzer, The Philosophy of Civilization
“If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity,
you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”
St. Francis of Assisi
While people are given *choices* to have their felines mutilated, oblivious of the pain, after effects (that most DO lose their homes for, eventually) their pets have no choice. They are subject to *The randomness* of the minds of clueless owners.
While all vets who declaw are not in it for the money…most ARE. Cats don’t pay them…PEOPLE do.
No compassion, pity, or humanity in this elective, cruel surgery!
Dr. Dan
So, is it my understanding, Jan, that only vets who share your opinion are credible, animal lovers? All the others are just money hungry mutilators? While I respect your right to your opinion, I do stress that some people feel they have no other choice if they want to keep their new kitties in their homes. Yes, there are options, but when all options are exhausted, please don’t make people feel like they are sentencing their cat to death. It’s not the end of the world to a cat, and they can live long, healthy, happy lives.