What does declawing mean?
Declawing, or onychectomy, is the removal of the last bone on each toe from which the nail grows. It is a common procedure in cats. Dogs may have dewclaws and those can be removed as well, but the procedure is slightly different.
When and why should I declaw my cat?
Arboretum View Animal Hospital recommends performing the declaw procedure at the time of spaying or neutering (at 6 months of age), although it can be done at any age. Animals over 1 year of age tend to have longer recovery times and increased risk of complications. Having your cat declawed is a personal decision. Studies have shown that declawing improves the cat-owner relationship and greatly reduces chances of the cat being surrendered to an animal shelter because of destructive behaviors.
What are alternatives to declawing?
- Training
- Provide scratching posts and make furniture unattractive to cat
- Nail trimming
- Soft Paws
For more information on alternatives to declawing please visit the link on the More Information page.
What are the possible complications of declawing?
Possible complications include bleeding, swelling of the feet or legs, infection, transient lameness or nerve damage, and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
How does Arboretum View Animal Hospital perform pain management for declaws?
A preanesthetic injection is given to help the patient relax and block pain receptors. Once the patient is anesthetized at a surgical plane of anesthesia no pain is felt. Nerve blocks can be administered along with another injection postoperatively for pain control. Most cats are discharged with a fentanyl pain patch, which provides constant pain control for 72 hours. Occasionally cats may be sent home with an oral pain medication, generally a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.
What surgical facilities does Arboretum View Animal Hospital have?
Our three-room surgery suite is maintained in an aseptic manner equivalent to human hospitals and meets the highest level of standards set by the American Animal Hospital Association (4-year accreditation). All staff members enter with clean scrubs, shoe covers, hair cover, and surgical mask to keep contamination minimized. Each room is equipped with all the necessary items needed for optimal patient care, including anesthesia machines with optional ventilators, pre-heated surgery tables, complete patient monitoring equipment, and closed cabinets for sterilized equipment and instruments.
What do I need to do the day of surgery?
Please see our page on Admitting and Picking Up Your Pet From Surgery. Our General Surgery and Anesthesia FAQ may also be helpful.
