Cat De-Clawing

ashley marie

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 I know many of you are opposed to this. Today I took my 8month old cat to be de-clawed. He is strictly a indoor apartment cat.Terms of my landlord where "I can have a cat but have to have it de-clawed". I have owned cat's my entire life and they where all intact in this matter(they where also indoor/outdoor cats). My husband has owned cats and the where all de-clawed(all indoor cats). I guess I am asking how every ones experience has been with this.I also have a 3yr old, and sadly when they play her face was a main target, not out of aggression but just out of playing.
 

feralvr

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I am deeply saddened for your cat. :shame: I don't really think you will get much support on this. It is done so there is not much anyone can say. Personally, I would have moved. I am sorry for your cat and the pain he will endure now and the potential for behavioral issues. Please make sure you get pain medication from the vet for your beautiful boy. Mega vibes for you poor cat. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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ashley marie

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This is not something I wanted to do.I actually fought with my husband about  having this done for the past 4 months, I have worked with animals for the past 7 years, It was a "Get ride of the cat or have him de-clawed" ultimatum, I was not about to surrender my baby who means the world to me. I know how the procedure goes, and already spoke to the vet an am making sure he comes home with pain med and antibiotics. Its sad but I had no other choice,leaving my place of residence is not an option for I would have no where to go with my child and my cat.
 
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pushylady

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I hope the operation goes as smoothly as possible and your cat recovers OK.
People have differing experiences with declawing. Some cats seem fine while others suffer a lifetime of pain as a result. Only time will tell with your boy.
Perhaps others will post their experiences.

This has been done, and there is no point in criticizing the OP for doing so, so please refrain from any personal attacks.
 
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kailie

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Your landlord should be shot.
What a HORRIBLE situation to put a person in!

I have had 3 personal experiences with declawed cats, none of which are good. My Grandparents had a declawed cat, Minka, growing up. After her surgery she became the NASTIEST cat, would hiss at people from across the room, and never really liked anyone. She was not like this at all before the surgery.

My mom adopted a cat with all 4 paws declawed, Oliver. Oliver has compensated for his lack of claws by biting and goodness can he bite. He draws blood. He also has a Jeckell/Hyde type personality, where he can be the sweetest guy but will turn and bite with no provocation. 

MY own experience is with my newest adopted cat, Buster. He is front declawed and walks completely funny. He walks with one front paw completely crossed over the other, almost like he is compensating for pain, or did at some point. He is an older cat and we've only had him 4 weeks so I am not sure if he has always done this or if it is something that got worse over time.
 

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I have no experience with declawed cats. But to save other kitties from having to endure this because of an ignorant landlord, why not work to change the rules? Sugarcatmom made an excellent post on this topic here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/241816/declawing/60#post_3183087

I know it won't save your littly boy's toys. :heart2: But it may save other kitties' toes. :rub:
 

ritz

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I have no personal experience, but offer these ideas:

Research different types of litter; some are less harsh on paws than others.

Research side effects of pain meds and alternatives to medication; for example, acupuncture and herbal medication.  (Pain meds are okay in the short term but not long term.)  If you have pet insurance, accupuncture may be a covered service.

Be extra patient with your cat; he will be in pain, for how long is any one's guess.  Cats react differently to pain; my cat gets extra cuddly; a different cat may hide or get mean(er) (strike out in fear/pain).

If your cat likes to play with anything that has a wire (like DaMouse), see how he now catches it.  Remember that he will no longer have claws to grab hold of things, and that includes cat trees/scratching posts.  Both you and your cat will be learning how to adjust to his not having any claws.

Good luck. good vibes for your cat.
 

feralvr

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I have no experience with declawed cats. But to save other kitties from having to endure this because of an ignorant landlord, why not work to change the rules? Sugarcatmom made an excellent post on this topic here: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/241816/declawing/60#post_3183087
I think that is a great suggestion. Maybe you can work to inform the landlord about what declawing entails. :cross: Maybe he will listen :cross: More vibes for your kitty today :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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ashley marie

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 Being  the crazy cat mom I am, I called the vet 3 hours after I dropped him off to see how he was doing. All is well everything went smoothly and now I have to call back tomorrow just to bother them and see how he is doing and make sure they put his blanket in the kennel with him. The tricky part is my landlord is my husbands grandmother, and i have tried my hardest to explain to her why it's inhumane but she is stuck in a different time era where everyone de-clawed there indoor cats.
 
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crazybird

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Poor kitty.

Soft Paws would have been a WONDERFUL alternative to declawing, that would have made grandmalandlord and kitty both happy.

:(
 

eilcon

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 Being  the crazy cat mom I am, I called the vet 3 hours after I dropped him off to see how he was doing. All is well everything went smoothly and now I have to call back tomorrow just to bother them and see how he is doing and make sure they put his blanket in the kennel with him. The tricky part is my landlord is my husbands grandmother, and i have tried my hardest to explain to her why it's inhumane but she is stuck in a different time era where everyone de-clawed there indoor cats.

It's a shame you were forced into the decision, but it's obvious how much you care about your kitty. Sending many vibes that he heals quickly. 
 For what it's worth, my two older girls, Katie and Gracie, are front declawed due to my own ignorance at the time. Katie has never demonstrated any ill effects or behavioral issues as a result of the declawing, although I do deeply regret having put her through it, knowing what I do now. Gracie is a biter, though, and can be rather nasty with people she doesn't know. I can't say for sure this is due to her being declawed, but she was much more affectionate and friendly with other people as a kitten before the procedure was done. My younger cats, litter mates Peter and Claire, are not declawed and I'd never put another cat through it. Besides being traumatic and painful for them, it's simply not necessary. That's what people like your landlord need to know. I'm hoping something positive can come out of this and you can use it as an opportunity to educate her. I really am sorry you had to make this decision and wish you and your kitty well. 
 

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Soft Paws are a wonderful product.  But, if the landlord's mother is of the "old school declaw or else", it wouldn't have helped.  I've known a few people like that and they make me bonkers - the only way to do anything is the way it was done years and years ago.

Take good care of your beautiful boy, and be extra sensitive to how he acts for a while to watch for signs of pain or infection.
 
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ashley marie

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 My eye will def be on him, He is an important part of my family, he is my 3yr old's best friend and playmate. I would never let anything happen to him, its sad that people get stuck in a set way and nothing will change there mind.
 
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ashley marie

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That was his first night home, he found his sleeping spot right away. He is such a good boy and let's my daughter carry him around all over the house without ever complaining.
 
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ashley marie

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 The sad thing is, my landlord/in law has no tolerance for animal abuse, and is a big supporter of "Adopt Don't Shop"(Mainly because of me). I really think this matter is just a sad case like stated before of not being educated on the matter and knowing what really goes on. That with Anestassia in general there is a risk of something going wrong, the risk of improper healing or bleeding out, I tried so hard to explain this to her but like I said it was like talking to a wall the "All my cats where de-clawed and I never had a problem answer". It's just that old school mind set that "If the cat is a house cat then the claws must go". Have to call later today to check on my little man. Let everyone know how he is doing.
 

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I see he was adopted from a shelter in another post, how sad there was no-declaw clause in the papers and that you went in to get a kitten to have declawed.  There are plenty of adult cats already declawed.  Also this is something that should have been discussed with your landlord(no matter if its family or not) BEFORE setting out to adopt an animmal.

Nervous as you say your childs been scratched in face-she should not have her face close enough to be scratched.  A bite will be alot worse, and really what defense does the animal have left but to bite.

I had a job for a vet and worked there less then a shift because the practice declawed.  Watching one cat wake up from that was enough to make up my mind that that was not the place for me.

Make sure to get plenty of pain meds considering its a weekend coming upon us and also the emergency contacts for the vet or the local 24 hour hospital so cat can get treatment if something arrises(good idea for anyone to have it planned out of where to go/how to get there so your not trying to look up that info in an emergency.
 

feralvr

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That was his first night home, he found his sleeping spot right away. He is such a good boy and let's my daughter carry him around all over the house without ever complaining.
Please be careful and try to explain to your daughter not to carry the cat around for quite some time. His feet will be extremely painful :shame: and he might lash out and bite due to the pain. Lots of gentle love pets from your daughter, just no picking up right now. :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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ashley marie

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I have been telling her that when he comes home he will have boo boo's on his feet and she needs to be careful with him. As for him scratching her face, he would come out of nowhere and grab her hair, she knows not to put he face in his, and at the time we adopted him there where no de-clawed cats in the shelter(we looked) and he was an older kitten that got looked over time and time again because of the fact that his nose was all banged up. He is coming home with pain meds, and will be well taken care of. I am not this cold hearted person, and i am not looking for anyone to agree with me on this because I personally don't agree with it. I can assure you this little guys is spoiled beyond belief and has a family who truly loves him.
 
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