i need help, its about declawing?

Question

well i have a cat.. it loves to play with his claws. he has scratched me many many times and i have just been diagnosed with cat scratch disease. i have two choices now give him up or get him declawed. i feel as it unhumane to do it. but this is illness isnt good. i dont want any one else to get this illness from him,

Answer 1

Do not declaw your cat; people have already pointed out it's inhumane (it's illegal where I live, and in many other countries... they didn't think that up just for the heck of it!). But more than likely it WILL NOT HELP!!! If your cat has a problem playing rough, and you get him declawed while you don't do anything to train him, he will almost certainly start to BITE instead. Cat bites get infected more often than scratches.

Not to mention many declawed cats stop using the litter box.

So, likely you'll put him through the pain of surgery, having to adapt to walking in a very different way, you'll spend a lot of money on him, and chances are it's only going to make the situation WORSE.

It's not that difficult to clip his nails, learn how to do it and do so regularly. And train him, no matter what people say about cats being independent and 'untrainable' that isn't true, they're not dogs but you can teach them some 'manners'! When you play with him and he uses his claws, sternly say 'no!' and stop your playing at that time. He'll learn how to keep his claws to himself. If you don't correct him and get him declawed, I can almost guarantee you'll end up with a biter.

Answer 2

Cat scratch fever is not a big deal. Getting a cold is worse. And it probably will not happen again. So declawing is wrong. Get caps if you are that worried.
Declawing will only cause more bad behaviors like biting or not using the litterbox. Please don't put your cat through such pain and trauma. If you love the kitty you will do what is best for it and declawing is torture. IT IS VERY PAINFUL! And it will develop arthritis later that will need medical attention for the rest of its life.
There are many disadvantages to declawing and only one advantage.

Answer 3

I used to work at a vet...If you can not declaw your cat, please don't. The surgery takes off the first bone/claw at the end of each toe. For a few days after surgery, cats sit up like a dog begging becuase it it hurts too much to put their paws down, and they shake their paws becuase it hurts (think lots of blood spatters on the wall at the vet)

Another option is the vinyl claw covers called softpaws. www.softpaws.com They are vinyl claw covers glued on over your cat's claws to prevent him from scratching. You will need to replace each cover every 4-6 weeks at the claw sheath is shed.

If you find that you must declaw your cat to keep him, do a lot of research of the vets in your area - some are more skilled than others. Ask how many declaws they do and ask for a reference from a client who had it done.

Good luck, I hope you can keep your cat.

Answer 4

declawing is optional here. this is because cat scratch disease is mild, only causing some swelling in lymph nodes in most cases.

but even more importantly, you become immune to cat scratch disease after you have it once (like chicken pox). so there is no need to declaw your cat because the damage has already been done anyway.

also, the cat is usually not permanently affected by the disease. its caused by a bacteria that is transmitted through fleas usually. if the cat is not in contact with other cats, or fleas, the bacteria will go away in a few months and the cat will no longer be a threat.

Answer 5

Declawing your cat is the best idea. Cats can give you many diseases by scratching you. Come on everyone this is a cat that has given this person a disease, and it is not unhumane to declaw or the vets would not be allowed to do this. This is a pet that is being taken care of by the owner not a "wild cat" thats defending itself in the wild!

Answer 6

You can have the vet or a groomer put on nail caps to blunt his claws so he can't break the skin with his claws: http://www.softpaws.com

Your cat can be treated with antibiotics to stop the infection. Keep him indoors and on monthly flea control from the vet to keep him healthy.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_bartonella.html

Declawing may increase the likelihood that your cat may feel defenseless and start to bite, once it can no longer scratch. Cat bites are far worse than cat scratches.

Here's an article on cats & immune-compromised people that may help:
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=catsandimmunecompromisedpeople

Please see this link about declawing: http://www.declawing.com

If your parents are absolutely set upon the idea of declawing him and will not change their minds, even after reading the http://www.declawing.com link and the linked info about bartonella (cat scratch disease), then you should insist that they at least take him to a vet who is experienced in performing the procedure with a laser instead of the old-fashioned way.

Answer 7

Declaw it... if its still a kitten its not recommended to declaw under 6 months of age. Sometimes I've heard of cats getting mean, but thats only if the cat is a couple years old and they can't cope with not having those claws. Make sure its a trusted veterinarian, it shouldn't be too expensive (around $100+?). My cat was declawed at 3 months by her old owners and theres scarring on the pads of her feet. Make sure its a trusted vet. It shouldn't be too big of a problem for the cat. If your cat is an outdoorsy cat, then reconsider that idea. It really doesn't hurt the cat at all. It would probably hurt him more to get rid of him than to suffer a week or two of sore feet.

Answer 8

Don't declaw the cat. I had a cat that I got at an adoption and she came declawed in the front, but not the back. My cats were indoor cats. Besides not being able to fully protect herself against my other cat (they fought), when she got outside (she was indoor cat, but got out a couple of times several years ago), she wasn't able to protect herself. She couldn't climb a tree and one time, a dog was in the area and had I not gotten right there, she wouldn't have been able to climb the tree. I've talked with several vets about it too and they don't recommend declawing cats. I'm not saying they won't do it, but when you declaw your cat, you are taking away it's ability to defend and protect itself.

Answer 9

you should look into why u got cat scratch disease in the first place. your cat probably has bartinella disease-which can be cured with a vaccine. a lot of cats have that disease and show no symptoms. but a good majority of cats in u.s. carry it. have your cat tested. declawing is very painful for cats. and unnecessary. often times their personality changes good or bad after the surgery. look into that bartinella test.

Answer 10

Declawing is inhumane especially when the cat is in a situation where he needs to climb up high to get away from the hunter. See if your doctor can give you something for your cat scratch disease or if you do declaw your cat, then keep him in the house all the time.