OT, my cat feels terrible(:
 

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. :D 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":rolleyes:, 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.

I consider the US quite educated.

Actually, I don't really care for the short stubby dog tails and I like floopy ears...just look at my avatar.

As with any surgery there is pain and discomfort even for people but animals and people heal.

My vet is quite humane and kind as are his staff, he has been in practice many years...long enough for me to have 3 dogs put down (2 were 12 years old and 1 was 8 years old) due to age and serious health issues.

It's okay that you do not believe in declawing, many don't, but understand that just as many more do believe in having this done and it doesn't make us any less caring of our animal than you.

By the way - I have a declawed, spayed, happy, healthy, painless, 7 year old cat.

When I had Adora's front paws declawed, it was like there was no pain at all when I got her home. I gave her the pain medicine as ordered for 3 days but she was her happy little self. So I was just so traumatized to see her like this. I had a terrible night. I made a bed for her on my floor at the end of my bed, which she knows my room is usually a big no-no. She slept well and jumped on my bed about 6 AM. She still won't eat or drink but she let me take her dressing off. She growled at me the whole time but made no move to bite me. I have to take my Mom in to have pacemaker put in this morning so I will make sure she is on her bed on the floor just in case she wants to eat. I would never do anything to maime her. I love her to much.

It is painful and will be for weeks or even months. And the back claws seem to be more so than the front. What is hardest for me to see is the cat we have trying to jump up on a windowsill or perch and having nothing with which to grab and sliding off again.

Our vet tells us there is a much more humane way to declaw now and it's gaining popularity in practice but mostly, it's partial amputation of each toe. It's nothing like removing a fingernail. I had to think long and hard about making that move when we had a cat that was sherdding clothing that was hanging in a closet and pilling carpets with her claws but would not use a scratching post. Finally sent her to live on my sister's farm.

Hope all goes well with the pacemaker today and you come home to a calmer more comfortable kitty.

Let us know how your mom and the cat are.

I never had the back paws declawed just the front so I don't know how long your cats recovery will be.

Our cat jumps from a chair up to the top of our Grandfathers clock then up to the top of the bay window (my window covering allows this) and either makes herself comfy for a nap or walks along the top of the bay window, jumps to next bay then to a wall that does not go all the way to the ceiling, jumps down to the top of the fridge then down to the counter and lastly the floor....whew

She has also been known to whack kids and our dog on the head - you can hear the thud when that happens:D

Well, Lordy, I don't know if I'll be able to deClaw a Kitty now, after reading all this.:eek: An Animal in any kind of pain, makes me feel terrible.

I just read about "Soft Paw" on the Web. They are little acrylic caps that you glue and then slip over the Kitten's front claws. Lots of testimonials and photos. The cats seem to tollerate them well. An application last about 4 to 6 weeks, which means, you will have to re-apply.

Has anyone tried these? I think they have them for dogs too. lol

Doydie, I hope your Kitty is feeling better today. Don't worry, he will eventially forgive you.

I had Adora declawed in the back because of all my injuries from her 'play'. Because of my psoriasis, it takes a long time for them to heal and they leave some awful scars and my dermatologist says that those areas are now potential areas of psoriasis. When I left this morning she was on my bed and was still there when I got home 8 hours later. I carried her into her food and water bowl and she finally took a small sip and ate a couple of pieces of food. She has still not used the littler box since yesterday when I brought her home.

Mom is fine. She is very allergic to all local anesthetics so they had to use a general. Being in bed for 24 hours will really bother her severe arthritis. But she is a survivor!

I am so glad to hear that your Mom is OK, and I hope she heals soon, without too much trouble from the arthritis.

Awww, Sweet little Adora. I'm so sorry for referring to her as a him.:o It sounds like she is coming around a little. Thats good news. ((((Adora))))

I hear you on the Psoriosis.:eek: I have it on my palms of my hands and the top of one foot. You just cannot get rid of the stuff...all you can do is manage it. I have been using Eczana for about a week and it seems to be helping. It's almost disappeared from my foot and right hand. My left hand is being a bit stubborn but is still better than it was. I think I like this stuff.

Don't forget to take care of yourself. This has been a stressful time for you....Hugs.

Adora probably doesn't really need to use the litterbox, she will when she needs to. If she is just going to stay in one place maybe move the litterbox, food and water temporarily to that room...less traveling for her.

When one of my animals don't feel well I bring the food and water to them and have been know to hand feed.:o

Glad your mom is doing fine.

This morning she woke up feeling pretty good. I normally don't even let her in my room at night because of her obsession of wanting to nurse me. For the past several nights, I have had her in my room. But this morning she woke me up by trying to nurse. So tonight, the door is closed!!!!! She is eating, drinking and using the littler box well. So this nurses duty is officially over. She is back to using instinct only in caring for herself with careful observation from me.

Great to hear!

I knew she would be fine but it's always good to hear it:)