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Declawing
By Britney Hughey
Indications/Uses
The feline declaw, also referred to as the feline onychectomy, is the removal of the claw and the most distal phalanx of each digit
Usually only done on the front paws; declawing all four paws is not recommended
Used to stop a cat from scratching owners and destroying furniture, carpeting, clothing, etc., while exercising their natural urge to scratch
Indications/Uses
Cats scratch for several reasons besides to defend themselves: to sharpen their claws, to stretch their legs, to leave their scent, and to remove the outer layer of their claws that naturally sheds off
The declaw is used either prophylactically to stop damage from occurring, or as a last resort when unwanted scratching behavior is already present
Techniques
There are 3 different techniques for the feline declaw: the Rescoe nail trimmer technique, scalpel blade, and CO2 laser technique
All 3 are effective when done properly and all have pros and cons
First the paws are surgically scrubbed but not usually shaved unless longhaired
Not a sterile procedure because you cannot sterilize this area of the body
With the Rescoe and scalpel techniques, a tourniquet is placed around the patient’s leg distal to the elbow to control bleeding
Rescoe nail trimmer
During the Rescoe technique, the nail trimmer is positioned between the second and third phalanx
The claw should be pulled cranially, and as little skin as possible should be removed
A portion of the third phalanx is left behind, but the entire germinal layer is removed to prevent regrowth of the nail (very painful!)
Scalpel blade
The scalpel technique uses a no. 12 scalpel blade to excise the entire third phalanx
Once the collateral ligaments are cut, the nail is cut away from the underlying tissue and digital pad
The pad is moved out of the way to avoid inadvertent laceration
CO2 laser
The laser technique is very similar to the blade technique except that it uses laser energy instead of a scalpel
The surgical site usually doesn’t bleed with the laser technique, so a tourniquet is not necessary
Saline-soaked sponges should be used to cover the remainder of the cat’s foot, instruments, and surgeon’s fingers to absorb extraneous laser energy and prevent iatrogenic laser burns
CO2 laser
It is best to use instruments approved for laser surgery to prevent reflected laser beams from inappropriately penetrating objects and tissues
Everyone in the room should wear safety glasses to prevent inadvertent ocular damage
One might argue that the laser technique is the best because there isn’t as much trauma and bleeding, but always be sure your surgeon has been properly trained in this technique!
Rescoe
Scalpel
Laser
Techniques
One to two sutures are often placed to close the skin edges after the nail is removed
Surgical glue (cyanoacrylic tissue adhesive) is used instead in some instances
Surgical glue should never be placed on the exposed bone of the second phalanx or dropped inside the wound
Techniques
After surgery, the paws are bandaged snugly with strips of tape and a gauze sponge over the excised digits
Strips of tape are placed longitudinally along the leg and distally around the paw
Tape is then placed circumferentially around the paw up to the elbow
The tourniquet is removed as soon as bandaging is complete
Techniques
This is a very painful procedure, and analgesics should be administered pre- and post-operatively
A pure opioid agonist is best for the first 24 hours after surgery
Some nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs can also be used
Pain medication should be administered for at least 4 to 5 days postoperative
Techniques
The bandages are kept on for 24 hours, but no longer
After surgery, litter should consist of shredded paper or pellets to prevent accumulation of clay or sand in the surgical wounds with resultant irritation and infection
Paws should be monitored for hemorrhage, swelling, drainage, and redness
Supportive Scientific Data?
The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners both say about the same thing on declawing; while it’s not considered medically necessary for the cat, it can be considered appropriate for cats that otherwise would be given up or for those whose owners are immunocomprimised
Supportive Scientific Data?
There have been many studies on whether declawing affects a cat’s personality, and there has been no evidence to support that it does
Most cats don’t seem to realize they’ve been declawed when done young
There is also no evidence to suggest that a cat will develop problems with using the litter box after being declawed
Risks Vs. Benefits
Complications of onychectomy can be divided into those that occur in the early postoperative period and those that occur in the late postoperative period
Early complications include loose bandages and potsoperative bleeding
Cats should be checked frequently for evidence of loose, bloody bandages or complete bandage removal and severe hemorrhage
Risks Vs. Benefits
Late complications include regrowth of the claws, chronic lameness, or both
Claw regrowth requires reoperation and removal of remaining germinal epithelium
Chronic lameness without evidence of regrowth may be seen with incomplete removal of the phalanx or cut foot pads
Risks Vs. Benefits
Other complications include radial nerve damage secondary to tourniquet placement and skin sloughing secondary to tight, prolonged bandage placement
Just like with any surgical procedure, infection is a possibility, especially because this is not a sterile surgery
There are no medical benefits for the cat unless there is a problem with the claw/phalanx itself and it needs to be removed for any reason
Other Options
Training
Soft Paws
Frequent Nail Trimming
Conclusion
In conclusion, declawing may seem cruel, but if it is a choice between declawing the cat and the cat not having a home, it is much better to declaw!
Bibliography
McCurnin, Dennis M. and Bassert, Joanna M. Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, Sixth Edition. Philidelphia, PA: Elsevier Inc, 2006.
Ecksten, Sandy. (2009). Declawing Cats Q&A: Positives, Negatives, and Alternatives. Healthy Cats Guide. February 28, 2010. http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/declawing-cats-positives-negatvies-alternatives?page=3.
Marvistavet. (2009, August 19). Declawing and its Alternatives. February 28, 2010. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_declawing_ and_its_alternatives.html.
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