[FEL-L] De-claw debate

[Light-Tech, Inc.]

I have actually seen it done this way in person by Dr. Corbridge.  Wish
I could tell you more, but I'm not a vet!  I've never heard any of these
horror stories about his patients.

 

-Lance

 

-----Original Message-----
From: felines-l-bounces at catbox.com [mailto:felines-l-bounces at catbox.com]
On Behalf Of Sabira Woolley
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 11:31 PM
To: felines-l at catbox.com
Subject: Re: [FEL-L] De-claw debate

 

I find it curious that the post I sent that addressed this topic, and
proposed an alternative claw removal method that does not cripple the
animal, was never responded to by anyone.

 

I have pasted it below, in case anyone is interested.

 

Does no one here know about this, and any pros and cons?

 

Sabira

 

On Aug 8, 2006, at 8:25 PM, Sabira Woolley wrote:

I am generally against declawing felines, unless it is in a situation
where it is deemed truly necessary. I do not believe I can make a
blanket rule for others about what makes it necessary. I do believe we
can all educate one another and help better decisions to be made.

 

Here is a question - In the case of big cats, can the claw removal
procedure be done in which they remove the claw without removing the
bone?

 

An informative and respected cattery website that lists 3 ways to do
declawing, only approves of this method -

 

Claw Removal:  Involves making a tiny incision in each toe and removing
the claw ONLY.  Recovery is speedy and although there is a small risk of
the claw growing back, this is more common in animals with very thick
claws and is not frequently observed in cats.  

 

When this topic came up before on another list, I spoke with my mother
(a lifelong animal lover and raiser) about it. She grew up in Europe.
She insists claw removal without removing the joint was routinely done
there at that time, and in the US it was either discontinued or not done
due to laziness i.e. unwillingness to put the time in and develop the
skill. She said no one she knew back then would have considered the
removal of the bone. 

 

This conversation was about a year ago, and at the time, I could find
all 3 methods of removing claws by doing internet searches - the removal
of the first digit (with or without lasers), the cutting of the tendon,
and this method in which only the claw itself is removed (which seems to
me to be much preferable). When I searched today, I found no mention of
the "claw removal" method, only scads of sites talking about the other
two. I am puzzled by this.

 

Sabira



 

On Aug 10, 2006, at 7:14 PM, ben willis wrote:

 

This controversial topic has been discussed on this

list a number of times. Generally, it results in a

series of insults, name calling, and ultimately a

polarization views and opinions. This time there have

been less participants, but many facts have been

brought forward and those facts overwhelmingly support

 

a ban on the practice of declawing felines. More

importantly, those who have chosen to opine on the

subject have the credentials to support their opinions

whether they advocate or oppose the practice. 

Interestingly, the best evidence to support such a ban

has come from those who openly agree with the the

practice of de-clawing. Almost every individual admits

that 

botched surgeries do occur, depending on which

veterinarian the owner elects to hire. 

 

"My vet is experienced with wild felines and says they

do fine declawed if the tendons are reconnected

rather than simply being cut as is done my most vets

who declaw domestic cats. " 

 

"we have raised exotics for 20 years and have had

successes and failures with regard to grow backs, 

depending on the expertise of our Vets....... "

 

One member with more than fifty years experience in 

dealing with exotic felines and un-questionable

credentials has indicated that claw extractions are 

primarily done to protect costumes, props, and

injuries

to actors.

 

"I also know a lot of animal trainers that would not

work their animals if they were not declawed.  This is

to protect the actors that they must work with here in

California." " The only reason that they are declawed

is to protect costumes and props and people from

getting hurt."   

 

One has even suggested that de-claw surguries may even

promote attacks by causing a false sense of safety in

people, therefore causing them to take less

precautions

when handling big cats.

 

"A more likely connection would that be owners of

declawed big cats, get closer, are more physical with

the animal and tend to take chances one would not take

with a fully armed cat.  Thus leading to increase

incident of injury."

"Inversely it is likely that people with clawed cats

are more cautious and engage in less risky behavior. 

The claws are like a barrier that keeps you away from

the things that can really hurt you."

 

In any case, these comments were not taken out of

context. While I may not completely agree with them 

all, they do little to convince anyone that claw

extractions are necessary to protect humans or

animals. In fact they do just the opposite.

 

Ben Willis 

 

 

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