Declawed cat...

Some cats recover fine, and have no problems, but unfortunately some cats do have lifelong problems, which is why it's banned in most countries, and now some parts of America.

I don't know much about it unfortunately, but hopefully someone can help you

Originally Posted by laceymcde

So is this poor cat going to suffer for his whole life? Is there ANYTHING I can do now for him that may make his future easier?

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Not neccisarily suffer, but he may well have life long issues. Someone had abandoned an elderly declawed cat and I took him in.
In his case the situation was complicated by the fact that he grew huge. Before he got sick he was nearly 25 pounds, and not fat. He was long and tall and solid.
I don't know if it came about when he was recovering from the declaw or what, but he put most of his weight on his back feet, which wound up kind of deformed looking. He also wouldn't climb all the way into the litterbox, just balance with his front feet on the side, so most of his mess went onto the floor beside the box. He never waas a biter, he'd swat with his clawless paws and all the other cats ran, I don't guess any of them understood he was clawless. In fact the dog yelped and pawed her nose when he smacked her, just like when the other cats did, lol.
While I'd never recomend it, and think it should be outlawed, I don't think his life is automatically ruined because it was done. With patience and love I think you'll be able to give him a good life.

My sweet Turtle is declawed---I didn't have it done; she was already declawed when we adopted her at about 14 months of age from the local humane society that my son and I volunteered for at that time. (They didn't do it either; the previous owner did.)

She's 10-1/2 years old now and has no problems at all that I can tell. I just feel sorry for her that when she plays (like with a shoelace that we're dangling for her to grab or pulling along the floor for her to chase) she can't grab onto like she could if she had claws. She puts her two front paws together with the toy in between and/or grabs with her teeth to play with things. We've had no biting issues or anything else and she's fine, thank goodness!

Pam

This cat has just found his angel good for you taking the cat in (sorry i might of missed his name as reading) and you really do have a heart for paying for the vets bills and some guts to report your sister and law i think i would of done the same

the only thing i can think of is if the cat starts to show behavioural issues then try and distract the cat i know its easier said than done

Originally Posted by laceymcde

So is this poor cat going to suffer for his whole life? Is there ANYTHING I can do now for him that may make his future easier?

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He'll likely get some arthritis later in life because declawing changes how a cat walks. Just keep an eye on him. If he heals well that will help a lot. Always be mindful that some cats are very unluckily in that either their declaw procedure wasn't done very well or that they just have bone and claw grow back. When that happens it causes problems. So always check his paws out and look out for any change in his walking or how he holds his paws.

Even once healed he may have some sensitivity and not like courser litters. If you have any litter box issues in the future a softer litter could solve it.

Make sure he stretches and plays just like your regular cats do. The actual act of stretching up to scratch on a scratching post (tree/furniture/human leg, etc) that cats do helps them stretch important muscles in their chests and shoulders.

And most importantly, no free roaming outside. He could still go out in a cat proofed yard/enclosure or on a harness if you do that with your other kitties.

A lot of them become biters, I am not sure how to deal with that... A firend of mine has tow declawed cats, I can't pet either of them... they bite big time. I guess they figure fast enough their claws are gone as far as defense, and learn how to bite...

It seems to me that if the cat/kitten is aggressive to begin with or even really in to play biting or any thing like that, those are the cats that will be biters after being declawed. Sure there are cases each way, but the majority seem to follow that pattern.

As for the age question, it's generally not done before 5mo. Really weight is more of an issue. At the clinic where I work we won't do spays or neuters before 5lbs, won't do declaws (or a spay/declaw, neuter/declaw) before 6lbs. Now of course if you have a smaller breed or small framed cat that probably won't get past 6lb at adulthood, we'll do it once they've hit 7-8mo.

I have a former feral who was declawed (not by me) and does not bite at all, its not a given that all declawed cats will have biting issues and since its already done, there isnt anything that can undo the potential damage, psychological or physical.

One thing that is recommended is that you watch their weight carefully, since they walk differently on their feet, it puts too much stress on them if they are overweight.

You can also use a softer litter (sand, corn etc) especially while his paws heal

As far as biting, its a reaction just as scratching people is - if you care to train it out of them, its possible just as scratching is - many people use declawing as a quick fix for a problem and it is just replaced with another problem thats harder to deal with

Generally speaking, some cats who are declawed develop "issues". The issues may include, but are not limited to:
aggression
biting
inappropriate urination (either spraying or urinating outside the litterbox)
inappropriate defecation

Obviously not all declawed cats develop issues, and it is nearly impossible to find solid studies that will prove declawing causes these issues.

The litterbox issues often step from pain associated with the litterbox, which can develop immediately after the surgery while they are healing. While many vets say to use a special litter for 3-7 days after surgery - please use a non-clumping/soft litter for at least a month after surgery. Some people use Swheat Scoop as it does not clump as solidly. Some use crystal litter (although to me I would think it would bother the cats paws? ). Some use Yesterday's News/Feline Pine pelleted litter.

We unfortunately see many people join TCS with a kitten, & declaw the kitten when it is S/N. Ideally (if there is such a thing with declawing) it is best to do it when they are younger/smaller. One vet I have talked to would S/N at 5 months, but not declaw until 6 months?

Originally Posted by -_aj_-

This cat has just found his angel good for you taking the cat in (sorry i might of missed his name as reading) and you really do have a heart for paying for the vets bills and some guts to report your sister and law i think i would of done the same

the only thing i can think of is if the cat starts to show behavioural issues then try and distract the cat i know its easier said than done

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He doesn't really have an appropriate name. They called him Jack, or JA, as in Jack A** so...I am thinking he may need a new name with his new home.

Originally Posted by laceymcde

They called him Jack, or JA, as in Jack A**

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That would be kinda cute if it was in an affectionate way, but I'm guessing they weren't all that affectionate for the little guy... I think he definitely needs a new name for a new, loving home!!

Good for you for taking care of him. And for those of you who adopt already declawed cats. There are sadly way too many of them...

I noticed that some people mentioned declawed cats developing arthritis.

Is it any difference with the arthritis between a cat that has all 4 declawed, or one that just has the front 2 done? I have 2 cats that are declawed (they came to me that way!.. I didnt do it!).. my Sphynx has all 4 done, and the "persian" has the front 2.

My declawed cats with both bite at random times.. they will be on your lap and being affectionate and just bite. Bastet is learning not to bite tho. When she bites, i put her off my lap or bed. She wants to be there, so she's learning if she wants to stay, she better be nice!

Originally Posted by nekkiddoglady

Is it any difference with the arthritis between a cat that has all 4 declawed, or one that just has the front 2 done? I have 2 cats that are declawed (they came to me that way!.. I didnt do it!).. my Sphynx has all 4 done, and the "persian" has the front 2.

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I honestly don't know, most people don't do all four paws. You could ask your vet about it, though if the vet is pro-declaw they may downplay or deny arthritis risk. I'd guess that it would be in the same areas, though. Lower spine, hips, and shoulders - load bearing joints.
I've known just front declawed cats that people considered grouchy biters when in truth it was just arthritis that made the cats not like being petted. If anyone pays attention, definite areas on these cats (or any cat with arthritis) will elicit a bite, whereas neck scratches and head petting probably won't.

As for the cats biting randomly, that's not just a declawed trait. Some cats do this from over stimulation or if you pet somewhere they don't like, which doesn't make things any easier. I honestly think it's the combination of these personality traits plus being declawed that makes a biter as not all declawed cats will become biters.

I have come across two 4-paw declawed cats in my life and they did limp and were not heavily overweight, my guess is that they are more sedentary because they are not able to jump and that causes the increased stiffness or arthritis

Originally Posted by laceymcde

For the record, this isn't my cat. It wasn't my choice to get it declawed. I have 2, NON declawed cats, he did belong to my SIL who, after she decided to bring the cat the vet and get it neutered/declawed decided she couldn't afford it, and that she wasn't going to pick him up. I decided we would pay for it, and take the cat in. Don't be so quick to judge.

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Thank you for saving this cat from your sister in law! This cat will be much better off with you. I hope you will do all you can to keep other poor cats from getting into your SIL's clutches.

You really do need to get the cat to a vet (a GOOD vet, do you trust the one she took the cat to originally?) ASAP. You want to prevent infections and problems now. The cat may need more pain medication and/or antibiotics, for example.

If you can help the cat recover well, you may help the cat avoid all kinds of problems in the future. Most cats do recover from declawing without long-term pain or infirmity. Everyone here is concerned about the ones that develop complications and that's why you have to act now.

Whatever happens, do not let this cat return to your relative! She's a fair-weather owner and doesn't have her cats' interests at heart. And I hope she never leaves her child at the dentist's office!

It was great of you to do the right thing! I hope you have long, happy years with a healthy, well-adjusted cat.

Good luck!

^ I somehow doubt her SIL is going to be speaking to her much since she turned her in.

Bravo, by the way. I don't know if anything can be done since people do that sort of thing (not pick their pets up from the vet). Maybe talk to that vet and see if they want to press any charges since she attempted to ditch out on a bill? Though, since you paid it and took possession of cat it would likely be up to you to take her to small claims court if you wanted her to pay for abandoning her cat.
So ultimately, more trouble than it's worth.

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

I have come across two 4-paw declawed cats in my life and they did limp and were not heavily overweight, my guess is that they are more sedentary because they are not able to jump and that causes the increased stiffness or arthritis

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That's sad. I can't imagine ruining a cat's ability to jump as they should. Cats love to jump.

I know, they were 'found in the lobby of an apartment building' together and turned into the shelter - sweet cats, no biting etc but I always felt so sorry for them. They were four paw declawed, left by their owners and were at the shelter for a while before being adopted as so many people were turned off by adopting them together and we were worried about them living with other cats given they had little defense

We ended up taking the cat*now named Bernoulli* to OUR vet last night at midnight. He was crying out in pain... and leaking some kind of nasty goop from his right paw. They found out he is anemic, which is causing him to have healing delays, and he also has an infection. My vet told me that after a week, his paw should be relatively healed. We came home without the him, they wanted to keep him overnight, I went there at 8 this morning to see him, and they said they will be keeping him at least until the close of today, possibly until tomorrow or longer. He has his foot wrapped right now, and they are giving him antibiotics, and pain medication.

He seems to be doing ALOT better today with the pain, I went to see him again at noon, and they let me in a room with him, and I noticed he was more playful, and walking alot better. I don't know if this is because the padding on the wrap, or if he is actually doing better..

I am crushed. This poor little kitty is so helpless. Bernoulli will be living with us permantly, we went and paid the cat deposit this afternoon after I saw him.

We have called the humane society to see if the neglect charges are being persued,they said there really isn't much they can do on a first complaint, but since my SIL has a record of adoption, and then re-homing animals from there, they will never allow her to adopt an animal from their shelter.

My DH refuses to take legal action, although we are close to $500.00 into the vet. I wish he would, because I truely think that someone needs to stand up for poor Bernoulli.

Thank you all for caring so much about Bernoulli, and please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

You are an

for you and Bernoulli. I hope the little guy is feeling better soon.

I'm glad to hear at the very least your SIL won't be able to adopt from the shelter anymore. I don't understand why someone would continually adopt and rehome animals...

i'm so happy to hear that Bernoulli is on the mend, and with people who will care for him the way he deserves.

you are his angel. you've given him a HOME... no more uncertainty in that area for him. he has a safe home, and a caring family.

i wish you many happy healthy years together. get well soon, Bernoulli!