Comments on: Vets, not cities, should decide about declawing cats.

By: bnlechli

bnlechli — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:03:44 +0000

I perform this procedure (on occasion), but I have to say that it adds little to my revenue. Perhaps, I am in the minority. I would not appose a ban if it were done on a national, or even state, basis, along with the support of the AVMA and veterinary colleges. As it stands, I am not inclined to support bans in individual cities. If the AVMA came out definitively with a statement opposing declaws (which would have solid research behind it), I would re-examine my views. I currently attempt to abide by what they state, which is that declawing is a “last resort”.

By: bnlechli

bnlechli — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:43:44 +0000

I appreciate this comment, because it underscores just how controversial the subject of declawing cats is. My own cat is declawed, and he lives a happy, well-adjusted, life. No behavior problems in his six years. I would like to point out that veterinarians (as an entire community) are the authorities on animal care and as I mentioned there are definitely those out there that choose not to perform the procedure. Those veterinarians are absolutely entitled to make that decision. I would also like to point out that, in the article, I mentioned that decisions on the procedure should be made with the cat parent. And yes, the results are usually good (perhaps I should have said almost always), but the fact remains that it is still surgery and surgery has inherent risks and can never have 100% fabulous results. Spays and neuters almost always have good results, but there can be complications related to those. The question to ask is: “Do the benefits outweigh the risk?” If, after discussion with a veterinarian, a cat parent decides that the benefits for them do outweigh the risks of declawing, then it should be their decision to proceed with the surgery, not the government’s.

By: Jo Singer

Jo Singer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:55:01 +0000

Anyone who is abashedly calling themselves an”expert”, in my opinion is blowing their own horn and wants to convince people of their brilliance. No one in any profession is that much of an “expert” and relies on information from many sources when seeking answers.

Smart and secure veterinary practioners, in my experience, don’t wear their egos on their sleeve. My own fabulously bright veterinarian, who, by the way,refuses to perform this horrific surgery, has a network of colleagues with whom she consults and she works closely in partnership with her clients to make important decisions about their pet’s care. There are many veterinarians in the United States that abhor declawing and refuse to perform it, as it is beyond cruel.

Actually it is up to the client in concert with his or her veterinarian, to make decisions about their pet’s care. If more veterinarians would be “upfront” with their clients and educate them fully about precisely what is entailed in this procedure, just the word “amputation” might change their minds. “Expert” veterinarians instead would educate their clients about alternatives to declawing.

There is no medical justification for this “cosmetic” surgery, which is sold, often as a “bargain package” in tandem with neutering and spaying” just so Fluffy won’t “destroy” furniture. These young kittens never get the opportunity to prove that they are not destructive, or can be trained. Clipping cat’s nails is, of course, the most humane way of controlling damage to property and accidental scratches to humans.

In your article you allude to the fact that the surgery is not always that successful. You say, “When the procedure is performed with appropriate anesthesia, pain management, and post-surgical care, the results are usually good” “Usually good” leaves a whole can of worms open for discussion. What about the surgeries that are not “good”? What happens to these cats? They are maimed, crippled and may develop serious complications, often resulting in inappropriate elimination, biting, and aggressive behavior. 40% of declawed cats are surrendered to shelters due to unacceptable behavior, from what I have been reading.

Seems to me that humane veterinarians in other countries consider the sugery cruelty to animals and declawing has been banned in over 37 countries around the world already. Is it possible that these animal loving vets are not experts?

Sometimes the government must intercede to protect the population. We have traffic laws, laws about drinking and driving,stealing is a crime and it is against the law to kill anyone. I wonder if we were just left up to our own devices and anarchy reined, how it would affect society. Our cats must be protected from harm, and the courageous and forward thinking California cities that have recently passed these bans are to be applauded.

As far as business is concerned, veterinarians could replace revenue collected from this barbaric practice and sell cat scratching posts, cat trees, soft paws, and trim cat’s nails. Nail trims over the average life span of a cat far exceeds the fee of one declaw surgery. Money should never be a factor in making clinical decision on the part of the professional. It is sad that clients may have to resort to these choices, when high ticket medical conditions beset their beloved cats.

By: Michele S.

Michele S. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:40:46 +0000

Despite AVMA guidelines stating that it should be a “last resort” procedure, this policy is clearly not being adhered to. A quick search on the internet reveals that far too many vets are advertising neutering & declawing packages for kittens as young as 8 weeks old. A kitten of that age isn’t even old enough to have left it’s mother, never mind had an opportunity to learn claw manners from it’s human keeper.

Since too many vets cannot be trusted to put the welfare of their patients above their own financial gain, or the selfish demands of their human clients, I believe it is right for city councillors to ban declawing.

There’s no disputing the fact that declawing is a painful and unnecessary amputation. Why else have veterinarians in at least 38 countries persuaded their governments to class it as a form of animal cruelty (classed as a “mutilation”) and ban it? People in those countries have babies, children, nice furnishings, compromised immune systems and all the other “justifications” put forward for declawing. Yet somewhow they manage to live happily with cats and their claws. Perhaps they have more respect for cats, and understand that if you lack the patience or compassion to teach a cat claw manners, then it’s best not to have one?

It’s only the vets who like to routinely declaw cats who will oppose this legislation. Those vets who prefer to educate their clients on the many humane alternatives, won’t find their business affected at all by the ban.

By: babz

babz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:44:50 +0000

I am appalled that someone who has spent years in training to be a vet would accept the amputation of a cat’s healthy toes at all. Are you not there to protect and benefit the health of animals rather than to maim them for money?
Of course legislation is needed to stop this because vets do not educate and counsel owners about declawing, they do not use it as a last resort procedure despite the AVMA policy, many actually advertise declawing in packages with neutering for kittens and some even give money off vouchers, how is this last resort?
So yes, city councils should put a stop to this nasty, owner convenience, cosmetic procedure. They have every right to ban it in their cities because the vets themselves cannot see further than their bank balances, never mind the trauma that cats suffer.