Update!

Hey guys!

Marmie is doing great!

She is going back to the vet on Saturday for her follow-up visit and at that point we're going to discuss about having the spay done and possible declawing.

She has finally stopped the bleeding and still taking her antibiotics; however, she is in heat yet again! No bleeding/spotting or anything, but constant moaning, groaning, and up in your face (which is her usual routine). I'll post back the weekend after the vet and let you all know how she's doing.

Just wanting to get opinions re: declawing. She is 2 and completely an indoor cat, but we've recently purchased new living room furniture and hopefully a new mattress later this year. What are your thoughts on declawing at 2 years of age? I know by now she's use to them, but now that we have new things, don't really want to have to replace them anytime soon. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this...either way.

Marmie

I think declaw is your personal choice. I do not do it. Spying is great she will feel so much better.

My opinion on declawing? its cruel and is highly likely to cause behavioral problems. This may sound harsh, and I don't mean it to be, but if your new furniture/mattress is more important than your cats' body parts then.... there are many other humane ways to prevent a cat from destroying your furniture such as nail clipping, soft paws, getting a scratching post. Also good for you for getting your cat spayed!

At the same time you purchase your new furniture, buy your sweet kitty a lovely scratching post and train her to use it, i.e., spray it with catnip and any time she scratches furniture, rugs, etc., pick her up and move her to the scratching post. She'll end up preferring the scratching post to the furniture anyway. Also please learn how to clip her nails (we do our babies about once every 10 days or so). It sounds as though she has not been trained to not scratch furniture and mattresses for the past 2 years. It will now take some re-training and some patience and perseverance on your part to do the right thing for this dear kitty.

Declawing is equivalent to cutting off all the fingers at the first joint - not a nice thing to do. It can also cause litter pan use issues, i.e., they'll stop using the litter pan and pee everywhere else, if not immediately it can start in the future as well.

Please do everything humanely possible to re-direct your cat's scratching behaviour and avoid de-clawing. It is cruelty to de-claw. Do a search and check out what a horrendous operation is really is.

I have to agree ... Your doing your baby a great thing by getting her spayed... Please dont declaw... I let my mom do this 17 yrs ago and that cat has been damaged ever since.... catnip spray and a post with carpet and sisel rope with training will spare your furniture...

Get the cat a tower or a condo or both. Lots of stuff for her means less of yours to touch

Thanks for the info guys. Much, much appreciated.

Mom had Twinkle spayed as a kitten and never had any problems in any way after it was done. I guess that's why we're wondering about doing it now. I will research it more before Saturday and maybe even ask the vet's opinion. If it's as terrible an operation as you guys are making it sound to be, then I think a spay will be enough of a shock for her (and us ).

We actually have a small tree house for her, which she loves more then her toys for sleeping in and on, but scratching it...forget about it!!! I must admit she hasn't started clawing our couch and recliner yet, but we do have an older hand-me-down rocking chair that she uses a lot (and stratches on the back), but our mattress...well, lets put it this way...I'm surprised it still holds me and the b/f there is that much damage to it.

Will let you guys know what we decide.

If you can pay for the declawing, then I would go out and purchase the soft claws, even if you are scared to attempt to do it yourself...
Take them to the vets that day, and have him put them on while she is there..
For 20 dollars, and saving the cats fingers..I think its worth it..
Specially if you can afford the surgery..
Not trying to be smart either, I know money is a factor with alot of people

Years ago, I had the same decision to make. I opted to buy a couple of scratching posts and some catnip. I trained two cats to use it. More recently, my husband developed severe allergies to the cats. We purchased a cat enclosure system that attaches to the fence. Even though they are confined, I would not feel good about them being outside if they were declawed. Think long and hard before you make the decision to declaw your cat. You have been given some good advice. Personally, I would never do it. I think I would find a new home for my cats before I would declaw them.

Originally Posted by Bugaboo1

Years ago, I had the same decision to make. I opted to buy a couple of scratching posts and some catnip. I trained two cats to use it. More recently, my husband developed severe allergies to the cats. We purchased a cat enclosure system that attaches to the fence. Even though they are confined, I would not feel good about them being outside if they were declawed. Think long and hard before you make the decision to declaw your cat. You have been given some good advice. Personally, I would never do it. I think I would find a new home for my cats before I would declaw them.

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Please REALLY think about it.

Honestly chances are your vet will not feel it's a bad thing to do; however, keep in mind that a vet makes money from declawing your cat. One of the vets in the practice I take my cats to (I refuse to see him now) tried very hard to talk me into declawing Isaac. After I has said NO several times he said "Well if it ever becomes a problem." I stoped him and said, "It's not a problem with the other two, it won't be a problem with him." So please do some research yourself & don't just depend on the vets opionon.

Originally Posted by Rang_27

Honestly chances are your vet will not feel it's a bad thing to do; however, keep in mind that a vet makes money from declawing your cat. One of the vets in the practice I take my cats to (I refuse to see him now) tried very hard to talk me into declawing Isaac. After I has said NO several times he said "Well if it ever becomes a problem." I stoped him and said, "It's not a problem with the other two, it won't be a problem with him." So please do some research yourself & don't just depend on the vets opionon.

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I was going to post the exact same thing. There are lots of vets out there that still want to de-claw. Other countries are so much more civilized - they have outright banned de-clawing.

Please, try every other solution before even considering de-clawing.

I'm so happy Marmie is doing so well! Good for you for taking the best steps for her health and having her spayed! Please, please, think long and hard before having her declawed. This is an extremely painful procedure for cats, leaving them permanently physically and emotionally scarred for life. We very strongly advise against this horrible procedure. I know you want what's best for your little girl, please leave her fingers intact.

Someone posted Nala's story a few days(or weeks) ago. I had to read it & let me tell you, after reading it, I sat down & had a good cry. Here's the link to Nala's story.
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/...?petid=2838151
I am very dead set against declawing after Twitch was declawed(without my knowledge).

Now that I said that, I sure hope Marmie gets through her spay fine! I am sure she will, but I am sending vibes that this vet visit goes well.

Originally Posted by Bugaboo1

Years ago, I had the same decision to make. I opted to buy a couple of scratching posts and some catnip. I trained two cats to use it. More recently, my husband developed severe allergies to the cats. We purchased a cat enclosure system that attaches to the fence. Even though they are confined, I would not feel good about them being outside if they were declawed. Think long and hard before you make the decision to declaw your cat. You have been given some good advice. Personally, I would never do it. I think I would find a new home for my cats before I would declaw them.

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please fill me in on this enclosure please.

We're off to the vet in the morning. We did some research last night and completely surprised and shocked by what we were reading. I guess when mom never had problems with Twinkle, we just assumed it was a "normal" thing to do with indoor cats. Anywho, after researching it, I don't want to put her through that. She's been threw enough already. With that said, the b/f still isn't sure about what we should do, so we are going to talk to the vet in the morning, but if I have "my" way...Marmie will just be getting spayed probably next week. Will let you know what happens.

Let us know how it goes.. What is decided..

...and the verdict is....

Everything is wonderful! The vet was very pleased with how Marmie has come along in the past two weeks. It was a different, more affectionate, vet this morning who seemed to care a heck of a lot more about Marmie than the other vet. So, we decided against the declawing, but are going ahead with the spay on Thursday with the vet we saw this morning.

I'll update you all after the spay and let you guys know how Marmie is doing. You've all been a great support over the last few weeks and have given us lots of things to think about and such. Your support and caring are appreciated more than you can know. Without you guys, we may have waited a bit longer initially to take her in and we may have decided to go ahead and declaw. Thank-you from the bottom of our hearts from me, the b/f, and Marmie. I look forward to the friendships I'll make on this site in the future. You guys are the absolute BEST!

Truelly look into those soft paw things..That way you can save furniture, etc...
And the vet could put them on for you that day. Im really happy you decided against it...

I couldn't be more pleased to hear your news. Bless you for rethinking the de-claw issue.

You would be amazed at how much I have learned from this site and how truly wonderful most of the membership here are towards each other. They are the most supportive, loving group on the internet I swear!

We look forward to a long and lasting relationship with you and your "family".