She is six months old and my vet says I had to wait until now to have her neutered. She is deathly afraid of the outdoors or even the open door so I decided to go ahead and have her back paws declawed. I guess both were just to much. As soon as I got her home today, she immediately hid underneath the bed which she has never done before. Finally after several hours, still under the bed she at least came to the edge and I could pick her up. She still hasn't eaten or drank any water all day. Any time I pick her up she has this little growl.

Oh, she bit a vet tech so she is now under the watchful eye of Animal control for ten days. I felt like a criminal. They came out to my house, parked their huge car, SUV, whatever at the end of my driveway blocking me so I couldn't 'escape'. I had to sign a paper saying I agreed to quarantine her in my home for 10 days and they could come do a spot check at anytime and I could not have any route for the cat or myself to escape. This guy was big, had a gun and everything. All for my little 6 month old kitten who bit a tech when she changed her bandage!

What?!

That sounds horrible. I'm sure vet techs are used to being bitten? Crazy that your little kitty is being treated like some rabid predator.

Sounds like you're going to have to "earn" your way back into kitty's affections. They are so good at knowing how to make us pawns to their every whim.

Poor baby.

Its funny (or maybe it isnt) that when onr of our pets is sick its evey bit as bad as when one of our kids was sick.

I had read your post and an hour later my neighbor stopped by to make arragements for us to bale his hay, well he is also our vet so I asked his about your situation and he said that while it is different from state to state Idaho is VERY strict about any bite to any of his staff it must be reported ans well as a claim filed with workers comp. I know several state animal control folks and sorry to say that they are better armed than the sherriffs dept.

Awwww poor little guy. I hope he feels better soon.


Loving hugs for you both.

Doydie,

She'll be okay she's just not happy with you at the moment and could still be sore. She will get back to her old self.

I understand by law the incident may have needed to be reported but personally - if you work with animals, who by the way can't say "ow you jerk that hurt", then you need to take extra precautions and be very careful.

No wonder shes unhappy, you declawed her and left her in pain for the rest of her life, this is one of the most painful operations a cat can go through, if you did not know I am sorry but the vet should have made you aware that declawing is of the very last resort. When you declaw a cat you remove the tip of the claw. If she was clawing your furniture,there are many techniques that can be used. What happens if she gets out? She has no way to defend herself. What we do to save furniture.

Stormsun,

I have to disagree - the cat WILL NOT be in pain for the rest of her life.

I know many who do not believe in declawing, that it's cruel....I am not one of them.

For many cats declawing allows them to have a home with a family that loves them and cares for them - there are many, many homeless cats.

I do agree that if the cat has any chance of being outside then declawing is a very bad idea but there are many cats who are content being indoors.

Ask a vet.

My vet did explain the procedure to me so I am very aware how a cat is declawed....the cat is also under anesthsia and it is easier and less traumatizing to declaw when still a kitten....usually done at the time of spaying/neutering.

Again - the cat WILL NOT be in pain for the rest of it's life.

Most educated and humane countries do not maim thier animals. Your vet is wrong, google declawing cats and study all the reasons not to do it. I have had cats all my long life and have never declawed a cat or had ruined furniture, they were trained so no problem. My neighbor declawed her cat years back and has felt guilty ever since, and when she got two kittens she no more would have declawed them than cut her grandsons fingers off.My daughter is a vet tech studying zoology and she has sat in on these operations and no matter how much anethesia they get without killing them, these cats still cry out. I suppose you think its okay to cut dogs tails off and bob thier ears just so it would look better. I hope anyone reading this post look up declawing before you do this to some animal that trusts you with thier life.