Neutering and Declawing
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Neutering and Declawing
| Wed, 09-07-2005 - 10:56am |
Our Baxter was neutered and front claws declawed last last Tuesday, 8 days ago. He came through it fine, acted normal the first day home, excited to be back home. We've been using shredded newspaper for litter and he had pain meds for the first 4 days and just finished his antibiotic, no signs of bleeding or discharge, seems to have healed quickly, as the vet said she expected him to. My question is, from his second day home until now, he has been just not as playful as he used to be. He still likes to climb up to the refrigerater and walk on the kitchen cabinets, has a great appetite, and purrs a lot. But he isn't chasing his toys and acting quite as playful as he did before the surgery. Is he still recovering and tired after 8 days? The vet says he is 6 to 8 months old. He's acting perfectly normal in every other way, just not going nuts and jumping around over his toys, and naps a lot. Am I just worried about nothing, and should we just wait a few more days for him to get excited about his toys again, or should I call the vet? I feel like such a worry wart, but he's our baby!

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His paws might still be a little sore.
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Yes there are still vets who perform this - we only do it if it's a matter of the cat winding up in a shelter.
Many people have their own opinions about declawing and that's perfectly O.K.
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Yes, people do still declaw their cats. Most people do NOT do it because they enjoy putting their cat through the pain of this particular procedure.
I declawed my first cat because I had small children and she still managed to cut them even with her nails trimmed every week. She would pretend to love my girls and when they would try and pet her, she'd swipe at them. After the second or third time, I was done. She was declawed. She still tries to swipe at people (she's a grouchy, grouchy cat!), but at least she's not hurting anyone anymore.
I did not declaw my second cat and I am regretting it terribly. When he was younger, he was VERY good about his claws. As he's gotten older, he's getting really bad about them. He's ruined my furniture, he's clawed me, he clawed my kids and now he's using them to swat our dog's rear end when the dog walks by him. I clip his toenails a couple times a week because they grow so fast. I've bought him towers, toys and everything else people have recommended to stop the destruction. He will not stop. I am regretting not having him declawed. He's still a pretty young cat (only a year old) and I am seriously considering having him declawed because he's out of control.
So, before we bash someone for their choices, we should know the entire story behind the choice they made. As I said, most people do NOT declaw because they enjoy putting their cats through pain. Most do it because they had no other choice. Oh, and I assure you -- most people DO have clippers and DO clip their nails. Yet, some are still destructive - I see it firsthand.
Brandee ~ furmom to Daisy (calico), Earnhardt (bengal mix) and Sam (beagle)
Hi Joanie!
I am ready to throw my laptop out the window.....I just wrote you a long message with lots of (hopefully) helpful info and when I went to post it just disappeared and all the post was erased! AAAGGHHHH!!!! I'm at work and don't have time anymore on my lunch to write it over again but if you email me through my profile I'd be happy to write you later with more info. I basically wanted to say we all may not like declawing but I know you love your Baxter and just want to help him.
Here is a site with info on behavior problems that can occur after declaw:
http://maxshouse.com/facts_about_declawing.htm
I have experience with declawed and non-declawed cats and want to share but I'm out of time.....darn this computer!
I am sure Baxter is still healing and it will take time for him to feel up to playing much. Declawed cats walk differently than other cats since their front digit of their toes are amputated. I'm sure he's just hurting still and needs time to recoop. I want to tell you more but can't right now. Please write me or I'll post more later when I'm home.
Good luck!
Hugs,
I used to be totally against declawing cats and still am just because an owner wants it done, but I have learned through this board that there are times when some cats need to be declawed.
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