Declawing Your Cat
Claw covers (blue in this picture) are an alternative to declawing
Onychectomy is the removal of the entire nail and nail bed (third phalanx) of the toes in cats.
When to Declaw
It is usually done at the request of the pet's care giver and usually only the front claws are removed. The procedure is best performed on kittens that are 5-6 months of age, because recovery is faster in younger, smaller cats.
Careful consideration needs to be made before this procedure is done. The animal's activities, environment and, especially whether it is an indoor or outdoor cat, needs to be evaluated, because declawing removes one of the cat's primary defense mechanisms.
The Declaw Surgery
Prior to surgery, the cat is examined and preanesthetic blood work is done to assess his/her general health and eligibility for surgery.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia, aseptically, using nail clippers, scalpel, or laser equipment (depending on the surgeon) as follows:
- A tourniquet is placed on the leg above the elbow
- The foot is cleansed with an antiseptic
- The claws are removed
- The wounds are closed with either sutures or adhesives, or left open
- A bandage is applied
Afterwards
Often, the patient will be hospitalized for one or two nights. Oral antibiotics and/or pain medication may be prescribed for five to seven days after surgery. Most cats are "back to normal" within seven to ten days.
Shredded paper or sterile pellet litter should be used in the litter box instead of kitty litter for a week, to prevent contamination of the wounds. The foot must be kept clean and dry to minimize infection.
Although uncommon, complications can occur, including persistent pain and reluctance to walk, scar formation, and infection.
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