Declaw Fold cat health

ryondo

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Hi, I live in China and I took in a folded ear cat March 2015.  He was likely only a couple months old but as he's grown up I've noticed he likely suffers from the gene defect that inbred folded cats have if their parents are both folds.  His tail is short and very thick and his hind legs are also angled outwards.  If he wants to run he tends to hop with his back legs instead of actually running. He also does not like to jump so I've built small stairs for him to reach my bed, the couch and his cat tree.  But there is a problem that I'm having a very hard time fixing.  That is his hind claws grow very awkwardly.  They grow into his toes sometimes and the last time I checked one claw had grown so that it was actually pushing his toe pad aside and had begun to grow into a spiral shape in on itself.  All my cats I've ever had before were very good about taking care of their own hind claws, we only ever needed to trim their front claws.  I'm able to trim his fronts but he will absolutely not let me touch his hind paws.  Even when I can see that the claw is very dangerously close to growing into his foot, he won't let me even lightly touch his hind paws.  The only thing I'm able to do is have my girlfriend hold him so that I can hold his paw in place and cut the claw.  But he is very aggresive and often times will bite very hard.  I'm 100% against declawing cats for purposes of saving your own furniture but I really don't know what else I can do.  Instead of having to hold him down, which is no fun for either of us, every 4 weeks I think maybe just declawing his hind paws might be best.  Unless anyone else has any suggestions that might work better, that's the point of me coming here asking for help, I just want to hear everyones thoughts and opinions.  Thanks a lot!
 

grizzlysapien

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Hi @Ryondo  and welcome!

Look, I'm not an expert but my opinion is this:

Since your kitty has a genetic defect problem with his hind legs, he'll need all the help he can get when he wants to climb, run, jump etc. So, he might need his claws more than you may think. I know you said, you've installed some small stairs to help him, and that's so kind of you! Good thinking on that! 

Declawing, though, might give him more trouble, than a solution... I mean.. His hind legs are already problematic. If he loses his claws too, I don't know if it will help him..

Maybe a trim on his claws performed by a vet or even a groomer, might help him more.. It must be so uncomfortable for him if his claws grow almost inside the paws.. It is painful, no doubt. So, trimming his claws seems like a better idea in my head. 

Maybe when it's done by a vet or a groomer a few times, he'll get used to people handling his hind legs and he'll let you handle them, down the road.

Also, have you thought of the possibility that maybe he is in pain and that's why he won't let you hold his hind legs?

Cats and generally animals, are pretty good in hiding their pain. It's in their nature. I would advise you to have a vet check his legs. Maybe the vet can give you some outlines, or even help you start a therapy procedure so to improve the state his hind legs are in..

Before I close, I have to say WELL DONE for not giving up on him, due to his problem.. Many people just dump them.. But you are doing so much to help him.. 
 
 
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