Declawing (Onychectomy) Your Cat
General Information
Scratching with the front claws is normal, instinctive behavior for cats. The purpose of this behavior is to remove old, worn fragments of the nails. The nails of the hind feet are groomed by biting off those worn portions. Although scratching is normal for the cat, this behavior can be expensively destructive in the home. For many cat owners, declawing is the only solution. It is advisable for declawed cats to be confined to the home since the claws are the prime means of defense. A house cat has little need for defense and is a more suitable pet because it can no longer ruin furniture or scratch small children.
Surgical Procedure
Declawing consists of the surgical removal of the entire nail under general anesthesia. The feet are then bandaged for the short hospital stay. After the bandages are removed, your pet will be able to walk normally. Slight tenderness may be evident for 7 to 10 days.
Your pet will be hospitalized for 2 nights. If you request pain management a Fentanyl patch (a partial opioid agonist) will be placed on the cat’s leg the night before the surgery and will require an extra nights stay.
Home Care
Diet: You should not need to make any changes in your pet’s diet.
Exercise: Restricting exercise is difficult; however, you should try to prevent your cat from jumping as much as possible for the first 5 days.
Bleeding: Occasionally, a cat breaks open one of the small scabs which form where the nail was removed. Slight spotting of blood is normal. Call the doctor if heavy bleeding occurs or if normal activity has not resumed after 10 days.
Notify the Doctor if any of the Following Occurs:
Your cat’s feet appear swollen or bleed frequently.
Your pet is reluctant to walk.
Your pet succeeds in severely irritating the incision areas.
Your pet refuses to eat after the first day home and becomes depressed.
If there is any change in your pet’s general health.
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