My Pet World: Declawing with a laser is still inhumane and unnecessary
Q: I was told that it's possible to humanely declaw cats with a laser. My two kittens are dangerous with their claws. Would this be a good choice? -- C.S., via cyberspace
A: No offense, but I'm unsure how kittens might be perceived as "dangerous." It's true that a kitten's nails can be sharp, especially when they get too long. A veterinary technician or a veterinarian can show you how to clip your pets' nails about once a week. When cats learn at a young age that nail-clipping is associated with food and/or play, the experience isn't a bad one. The process takes less than five minutes.
Any declaw surgery (onychectomy) is the amputation of a cat's toes -- cutting them off at the equivalent of the first knuckle on a human finger, even when a laser is used.
"Unfortunately, declawing with a laser poses its own problems," explains feline veterinarian Dr. Margie Scherk, editor of Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. "Not only can the laser burn the end of the bone, leading to inflammation and pain, but even with laser, bone fragments can be left behind. This may cause chronic pain in the feet, but also in the back and other joints if the cat tries to walk in a way to reduce pressure on the hurting bits."
Scherk advocates clipping those nails more often. Begin by training your kitties to have their paws handled. Just play with their feet and gently press down on them to extrude the nails during cuddle time. Scherk suggests not doing this when the kittens are playful. Begin by offering treats during the paw-patting sessions, but in time you can cut back on those.
"If your cats are really wiggly, you can wrap them in a towel to help keep them and their feet from going in different directions," Scherk adds. "I like to sit on the floor or a chair with my cat on my lap."
Scherk, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, says "If you still want more protection, ask your vet or groomer to show you how to apply SoftPaws, vinyl nail caps that you change every four to six weeks." (SoftPaws are available at most places pet products are sold.)
Scherk comes out against de-clawing, and I agree with her.
"There really is no way we can justify amputating someone else's fingers and toes for our safety or property. Who gives us the right?" she said.
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