More Veterinarians Using Laser Surgery to Declaw Cats
August 02, 2003
Written by: Mike Gray
An increasing number of veterinarians are using a laser procedure to declaw cats. The surgery, clinically known as an onychectomy, is one of several common veterinary procedures traditionally performed with a scalpel that can now be done with laser technology.
Typically, cats are declawed to prevent them from scratching people or inappropriate objects—although, behavior modification programs, most experts agree, are successful at curtailing scratching and are a more humane way of dealing with the behavior.
When done properly by any means, declawing has minimal complications in a young healthy cat. Potentially, though, traditional methods of declawing can result in pain, some blood loss, and swollen tissue.
However, the laser procedure dramatically reduces bleeding because the laser seals small blood vessels and acts as a cauterizing agent, according to Dr. Daniel Fields, who introduced the use of lasers to the veterinary market and serves as the director of the veterinary surgical division of ESC Medical, a company that sells the lasers.
In addition, Dr. Fields claims the laser technique decreases pain, eliminates swelling, and vastly reduces a catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s recovery period.
But not all veterinarians agree that laser declawing is safer than traditional methods.
Christine Stockmal, DVM, who practices out of the American Animal Hospital in Mount Freedom, New Jersey and has used the laser to perform declawing, said there may be some complications associated with the use of the laser. She said the laser inhibits healing, causing the incision to take longer to heal.
In a traditional onychectomy, a scalpel blade or Resco nail-clipper is used to cut away the toenail, severing its connection to the ligament. So that the claw cannot regrow, the bony portion just behind the claw is also removed. If some of this bone is left behind, the toenail is able to regrow.
According to Anne Sinclaire, DVM, of the Cat Sense Feline Hospital in Bel Air, Maryland, who uses the lasers exclusively in onychectomy procedures, there is no risk of toenail regrowth with laser surgery.
"With a laser, which can not cut bone…you have to cut the ligament connections or [declawing] wonâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t happen at all," she said.
The idea to use lasers in feline declawing is credited to Rod Hartwick, DVM, who practices in of Chesapeake, Virginia. He explained that he began using lasers because he was dissatisfied with the Resco clipper method as well as the scalpel and forceps techniques.
"The laser is the greatest thing to happen to cat practices," Dr. Hartwick said. "The cat is up and about in five minutes."
But the quick recovery time associated with the laser procedure may actually result in some serious complications. Dr. Stockmal explained that because the level of pain is reduced, the cat will not be inhibited from resuming a normal activity level and may put too much pressure on the surgical site.
"We had some problems with breakdown of the surgical site about a week after the procedure," she said.
Elizabeth L. DeLomba, DVM, contributed to this article.
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Maybe we should offer all those "helpfull" vets a totally painless amputation of their own fingers.
After all, if the surgery itself is painless, then it's OK to do it, isn't it?
August 02, 2003
Written by: Mike Gray
An increasing number of veterinarians are using a laser procedure to declaw cats. The surgery, clinically known as an onychectomy, is one of several common veterinary procedures traditionally performed with a scalpel that can now be done with laser technology.
Typically, cats are declawed to prevent them from scratching people or inappropriate objects—although, behavior modification programs, most experts agree, are successful at curtailing scratching and are a more humane way of dealing with the behavior.
When done properly by any means, declawing has minimal complications in a young healthy cat. Potentially, though, traditional methods of declawing can result in pain, some blood loss, and swollen tissue.
However, the laser procedure dramatically reduces bleeding because the laser seals small blood vessels and acts as a cauterizing agent, according to Dr. Daniel Fields, who introduced the use of lasers to the veterinary market and serves as the director of the veterinary surgical division of ESC Medical, a company that sells the lasers.
In addition, Dr. Fields claims the laser technique decreases pain, eliminates swelling, and vastly reduces a catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s recovery period.
But not all veterinarians agree that laser declawing is safer than traditional methods.
Christine Stockmal, DVM, who practices out of the American Animal Hospital in Mount Freedom, New Jersey and has used the laser to perform declawing, said there may be some complications associated with the use of the laser. She said the laser inhibits healing, causing the incision to take longer to heal.
In a traditional onychectomy, a scalpel blade or Resco nail-clipper is used to cut away the toenail, severing its connection to the ligament. So that the claw cannot regrow, the bony portion just behind the claw is also removed. If some of this bone is left behind, the toenail is able to regrow.
According to Anne Sinclaire, DVM, of the Cat Sense Feline Hospital in Bel Air, Maryland, who uses the lasers exclusively in onychectomy procedures, there is no risk of toenail regrowth with laser surgery.
"With a laser, which can not cut bone…you have to cut the ligament connections or [declawing] wonâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t happen at all," she said.
The idea to use lasers in feline declawing is credited to Rod Hartwick, DVM, who practices in of Chesapeake, Virginia. He explained that he began using lasers because he was dissatisfied with the Resco clipper method as well as the scalpel and forceps techniques.
"The laser is the greatest thing to happen to cat practices," Dr. Hartwick said. "The cat is up and about in five minutes."
But the quick recovery time associated with the laser procedure may actually result in some serious complications. Dr. Stockmal explained that because the level of pain is reduced, the cat will not be inhibited from resuming a normal activity level and may put too much pressure on the surgical site.
"We had some problems with breakdown of the surgical site about a week after the procedure," she said.
Elizabeth L. DeLomba, DVM, contributed to this article.
============= END of Article =====================
Maybe we should offer all those "helpfull" vets a totally painless amputation of their own fingers.
After all, if the surgery itself is painless, then it's OK to do it, isn't it?
