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Few subjects in the feline world evoke as much discussion as the issue of declawing. There are
strong advocates on both sides of the fence and arguments to be made for each position.
Declawing involves the removing of the claw and the bone to which it is attached. The claw and bone
are separated from the toe by making a surgical incision through the joint space between the small
bones. This procedure is called disarticulation. The removal of the claw in this manner does not
involve the cutting of any bone; the only tissues cut are the soft tissues. This is an important point
as some of the older declawing techniques would actually leave small pieces of cut-off bone in the
foot. This would feel like walking with a small stone in your shoe.
Possible complications of declawing include infection, permanent lameness, adhesion and scar
formation and reactions to the surgical tissue glue used to close the surgical incisions. Fortunately,
serious permanent complications from declawing are fairly uncommon when done correctly especially
when the surgery is performed by the age of 16 weeks. The older the cat is when undergoing this
procedure, the higher the incidence of complications.
Contrary to urban legend, declawing a cat does not affect the animal’s personality. Many people
believe a cat will become aggressive after this procedure and will be prone to bite. This is not true; a
cat with an aggressive personality will be aggressive declawed or not.
Laser removal of the claw also has been getting a lot of attention. It’s benefits include immediate
sealing of blood vessels and nerve endings. This can translate to better pain control after the
procedure. However, with the current oral and injectable pain relievers used today, surgical pain can
be effectively managed. Laser surgery’s main disadvantage is the greatly increased cost of
performing the surgery. The East Towne Cat Clinic does not use laser to perform this surgery.
After declawing the cut tissues such as nerves and tendons need to reattach to the remaining bone
and the wound needs to close. In the very young cat (less than 16 weeks) this happens very quickly
and usually without complications. The older the cat becomes the longer it takes for healing to finish
and the more complications arise. As a general rule we will not declaw a cat greater than one year of
age. There are exceptions, but before the surgery is preformed a meeting is required to discuss the
various problems associated with “late” declaws.
Complications arising from declaw increase with the age of the cat. In the very young cat, these are
usually limited to infection and while this is a possibility it is rather uncommon. After the surgery is
preformed all kittens receive a large dose of antibiotics to help prevent this problem. Some cats may
react to the surgical tissue glue used to close the wound. The body will eventually remove the glue
in all pets, but it takes time. For the cats that react there can be considerable lameness for awhile.
Most of these cats respond to anti-inflammatory therapy.
strong advocates on both sides of the fence and arguments to be made for each position.
Declawing involves the removing of the claw and the bone to which it is attached. The claw and bone
are separated from the toe by making a surgical incision through the joint space between the small
bones. This procedure is called disarticulation. The removal of the claw in this manner does not
involve the cutting of any bone; the only tissues cut are the soft tissues. This is an important point
as some of the older declawing techniques would actually leave small pieces of cut-off bone in the
foot. This would feel like walking with a small stone in your shoe.
Possible complications of declawing include infection, permanent lameness, adhesion and scar
formation and reactions to the surgical tissue glue used to close the surgical incisions. Fortunately,
serious permanent complications from declawing are fairly uncommon when done correctly especially
when the surgery is performed by the age of 16 weeks. The older the cat is when undergoing this
procedure, the higher the incidence of complications.
Contrary to urban legend, declawing a cat does not affect the animal’s personality. Many people
believe a cat will become aggressive after this procedure and will be prone to bite. This is not true; a
cat with an aggressive personality will be aggressive declawed or not.
Laser removal of the claw also has been getting a lot of attention. It’s benefits include immediate
sealing of blood vessels and nerve endings. This can translate to better pain control after the
procedure. However, with the current oral and injectable pain relievers used today, surgical pain can
be effectively managed. Laser surgery’s main disadvantage is the greatly increased cost of
performing the surgery. The East Towne Cat Clinic does not use laser to perform this surgery.
After declawing the cut tissues such as nerves and tendons need to reattach to the remaining bone
and the wound needs to close. In the very young cat (less than 16 weeks) this happens very quickly
and usually without complications. The older the cat becomes the longer it takes for healing to finish
and the more complications arise. As a general rule we will not declaw a cat greater than one year of
age. There are exceptions, but before the surgery is preformed a meeting is required to discuss the
various problems associated with “late” declaws.
Complications arising from declaw increase with the age of the cat. In the very young cat, these are
usually limited to infection and while this is a possibility it is rather uncommon. After the surgery is
preformed all kittens receive a large dose of antibiotics to help prevent this problem. Some cats may
react to the surgical tissue glue used to close the wound. The body will eventually remove the glue
in all pets, but it takes time. For the cats that react there can be considerable lameness for awhile.
Most of these cats respond to anti-inflammatory therapy.
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