Knowledgeable Veterinarian And Client Should Decide To Declaw Or Not

Ha ha ha ha ha ha silly child, grow up do.

Thanks Michelle, for the idea. From now on I will refer to this misnomer as “declawing or rather de-toeing”. As you say a lot more people would ask questions about this disgusting mutilation if only they knew.

Dear What ever you are:
Let me say, as a collective group,one and all of us have read your AVMA article of which you brag.
I find it totally lacking all around.You must be ranked up there with the vets in Austin’s Banfield,where lining your pockets is more important then the welfare of the animals you readily butcher.You should remain anonymous.I fear your parents may well hang their heads in shame at your sadistic treatment of animals you took an oath to protect.I wonder sir,do you think so little of your wedding oath as well,as if some poor woman would even dare to tie herself to you.
You speak of us as if we were an uneducated,uninformed lot of maniacs with the thought that ranting about this heinous act would well solve it.It may well take that.If screaming from the roof tops that your clients are uninformed,and uncaring,that you yourself ought to be practicing in the morgue;instead of on animals,well sir,so be it! I for one will scream it from the highest roof top I can find,and until I can scream no more.Until this horrific practice is banned in all of the world,we will fight the fight and give voice to the cats that you yourself have helped mutilate!I unlike you,am not a coward,and will show my name!

As long ago as 1986, the UK’s Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons published a report on Mutilations which had this to say about the removal of claws.

“This procedure is only acceptable where, in the opinion of the veterinary surgeon, injury to the animal is likely to occur during normal activity. It is not acceptable if carried out for the convenience of the owner. Thus the removal of dew claws in certain breeds of dog where they protrude from the limb and are likely to become caught and torn is justifiable and even advisable. On the other hand, the removal of claws, particularly those which are weight-bearing, to preclude damage to furnishings is not acceptable”.

The RCVS are the UK’s equivalent of the AVMA so they don’t fit your stereotype of anti-declawers being “just a person who wants to rant and rave about the injustice of declawing with no scientific evidence to back up their theories. In fact, all vets in member countries of the European Union also consider declawing to be a cruel and unnecessary mutilation.

Please do more research and question vets you come into contact with, as to why declawing is banned in 38 countries because it is legally classed as an act of animal cruelty. Does that fact not ring alarm bells in your head as to the ethical stance of some vets in North America? The awful truth is that too many vets do not disclose exactly what declawing involves and so cat owners do not always make an informed decision. Even the term “declawing” is a misnomer, but then I guess if it were called “de-toeing” that would prompt a lot more people to ask questions about this procedure.

Thankfully more and more vets in the USA are now prepared to stand up and voice the cruel truth about declawing, as witnessed by the bans recently voted for in 8 Californian cities.

You are just starting out on a career where the physical and mental welfare of your patients (animals) should be your primary concern. Please don’t let yourself be mislead by vets who care more about money or their clients (humans) selfish demands. There is already enough animal cruelty in this world, without vets encouraging people to inflict it upon the creatures they are meant to protect from harm and suffering.

Michele(UK)

As long ago as 1986, the UK’s Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons published a report on Mutilations which had this to say about the removal of claws.

“This procedure is only acceptable where, in the opinion of the veterinary surgeon, injury to the animal is likely to occur during normal activity. It is not acceptable if carried out for the convenience of the owner. Thus the removal of dew claws in certain breeds of dog where they protrude from the limb and are likely to become caught and torn is justifiable and even advisable. On the other hand, the removal of claws, particularly those which are weight-bearing, to preclude damage to furnishings is not acceptable”.

The RCVS are the UK’s equivalent of the AVMA so they don’t fit your stereotype of anti-declawers being “just a person who wants to rant and rave about the injustice of declawing with no scientific evidence to back up their theories. In fact, all vets in member countries of the European Union also consider declawing to be a cruel and unnecessary mutilation.

Please do more research and question vets you come into contact with, as to why declawing is banned in 38 countries because it is legally classed as an act of animal cruelty. Does that fact not ring alarm bells in your head as to the ethical stance of some vets in North America? The awful truth is that too many vets do not disclose exactly what declawing involves and so cat owners do not always make an informed decision. Even the term “declawing” is a misnomer, but then I guess if it were called “de-toeing” that would prompt a lot more people to ask questions about this procedure.

Thankfully more and more vets in the USA are now prepared to stand up and voice the cruel truth about declawing, as witnessed by the bans recently voted for in 8 Californian cities.

You are just starting out on a career where the physical and mental welfare of your patients (animals) should be your primary concern. Please don’t let yourself be mislead by vets who care more about money or their clients (humans) selfish demands. There is already enough animal cruelty in this world, without vets encouraging people to inflict it upon the creatures they are meant to protect from harm and suffering.

Michele(UK)

The first thing you need to learn is that if you want your ridiculous opinion to be noticed then you need to put your name to it. Hiding behind anonymous impresses no-one, it just shows you haven’t the knowledge to back up what you are saying. I don’t see how you can expect such twaddle to impress the grown ups love, and I think you have an awful lot to learn yourself before you presume to tell us what you think is right and proper.
You seem to think you have seen it all and done it all already, have you ever heard the saying “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”? Do you think the AVMA website is unknown to us? Do you think we just sit here and imagine all sorts of scenarios based on fairy tales, or can you realise that a lot of time and research has gone into the forming of our opinions that declawing is never anything but costly abuse perpetrated by greedy veterinarians, ethically lax technicians and cruel owners. Don’t make us laugh by offering pages for us to read “if we’d like to take the time”. We’ve TAKEN the time, we have read the pages, we are NOT impressed.

You do not understand what you are trying to talk about, if you think that declawing can better the life of a feline you are starting out on your career with the wrong attitude, you will never be a good and compassionate vet tech. I would advise you to pop down the labour exchange pretty quick and have a change of career, maybe try street cleaning, you’ll notice you come across a lot of abandoned declawed cats in the gutters.

I think you know by now that none of us are inmpressed with your anonymous message.
Man you are so totally mixed up about what you think you know that it makes me wonder if you really have seen declawing operations carried out.
I dont think you can have and still preach that vets are knowledgeable and impart that knowledge to their clients.Literally millions of cats in the USA are declawed, I dont see how they could all have serious scratching behaviour, especially all the kittens mutilated because their owners were offered it on a plate.
Those knowledgeable vets didnt impart their knowledge about scratching posts.That wouldnt have filled their coffers.
Knowledgeable vets are the ones who dont declaw cats.They took an oath to harm no animal. Do vet techs not take an oath like that ?
Come on man, admit you have chosen the wrong profession, you so obviously dont care about animals.

The vet care industry is supposed to be full of people that care about animals, and are kind to animals. Since you lack this kindness, compassion and understanding of natural animal behavior, please find another profession. Our country certainly does not need another desensitized vet tech that hates animals. You’re job is supposed to be devoted to the betterment of animals, not destroying their healthy body parts because it is more convenient for the human and more profitable for your bank account.
I’m ashamed & embarrased to be an American when I read posts such as these from a vet tech. How we treat animals is a direct reflection of how we treat humans, so I for one am glad that I personally do not know you. And considering you signed your post “anonymous”, I’d say you aren’t fully glad to be yourself either. It’s common for somone with a guilty conscience to finds ways of justifying their heinous acts, acts such as needlessly crippling animals and robbing from them essential body parts that they need & use everyday. If you don’t understand why claws & scratching are vital components of cat life (digitgrade animals), you do not belong in the animal profession.
Do me a favor, before you assist in another declaw, stroll through the local shelters & rescues to get a taste of the bloody aftermath of declawing – the scarred abandoned & relinquished knuckleboneless cats. Start tracking how many of the cats your clinics declaws end up losing their homes. You will quickly see that this dreadful surgery is not doing what the AVMA claims it does — saves cats lives. In fact, it does just the opposite – creates cats that bite and don’t use their litterbox — more dangerous pets that humans quickly dispose of.
Only until we are kind to animals will our nation be a kinder, more respectful, and safer place.

So, you believe that under a knowledgeable veterinarian that has thoroughly discussed this with a client and all avenues have been exhausted declawing can benefit not only the client but form a better human animal bond do you ?
Hello, Rose to Anonymous, are you in the same world as us ??
Since when have these knowledgable veterinarians discussed ‘all avenues’ with their clients ? Was it before they advertised discount declawing or after ?Was it before their receptionists asked clients phoning in to book neutering procedures if they would like their cat declawed at the same time ? Was it before some of them are so declaw crazy that they made a ‘mistake’ and declawed a kitten while neutering it even though the client had not asked for it to be done ? Are you another of those poor fragile vet techs who prefer only to have to worry about a cat biting you in the clinic, rather than being able to scratch you too when they are in pain and afraid ?
Enjoy reading what the AVMA wrote, you spout ..HAH …..I gave up reading fairy stories years ago. The AVMA and the vets who declaw cats are knowledgeable about how to make money, that’s all dear.
Come and join us in the real world where we are knowledgeable that cats are deliberately crippled.

These must be the same Vet’s that peddle that dreadful dry “Prescription” food to uninformed owners, the food where the main ingredients are corn, peanut hulls, and that wonderful addition, animal by product more commonly known as road kill and dead pets.

Why wouldn’t they declaw every cat possible….. they now have a guaranteed patient for life because of the problems caused by the removal of the cats toes.

Yes there are knowledgeable vets, they are the ones who feed obligate carnivores raw meat, and believe that a cat who is born with toes should keep them, just as we should keep our finger tips.

Profit is the reason for declawing plain and simple. A simple decision for many Vet’s Do I want that Mercedes, or the Chevy?? How many cats do I have to maim to get it?

Shame on you for following in their footsteps.

Another pro declaw hiding behind anonymous ! Don’t expect credibility from us by doing that.
You have oh so much to learn ! Yes you have it all set out cosily in your mind don’t you, you’ve seen declawing operations, you’ve researched it a bit and you smugly think you know it all. How many cats have you seen months or years after the initial operation ? Have you seen statistics of how many are suffering ? Of course you haven’t, you aren’t interested are you, you still think the AVMA are to be looked up to like Gods.So let me tell you a few home truths,they turn a blind eye to the vets who do not follow their last resort policy.They turn a blind eye to vets advertising declawing with discounts and even encouraging neuter/declaw packages on little kittens. Yes a last resort operation performed on kittens which haven’t even had chance to learn to use a scratching post! And do you know how many vets DO inform their clients of the exact procedure and that the cat may have physical or mental problems from the amputation of his toe ends ? I don’t suppose you do as in your neat little world of school and prospect of a career, you think you know enough to come on here and lecture those of us who know a darn sight more than you do ! So let me tell you,very few vets tell their clients the truth about this money making operation ! I’m in contact at present with a very guilt ridden sad lady whose cat has died through being declawed,she would never have had this done had her vet told her the risks.
Have you studied the anatomy of a cat yet ? If so you should know they need their claws for walking, grooming, and very important this,exercising their muscles.Do you know many declawed cats develop stress illnesses and arthritis ?
Don’t turn into another of those hard hearted vet techs who earn blood money by assisting with declawing.Find yourself a no declaw practice to work in and hold your head high knowing you are not condoning the abuse of cats.It is illegal in our country and 37 others for good reaaon ! Think about that.
BTW I do know what I’m saying, being a retired vet nurse with more experience than you will ever have !!

Hello Anonymous. It’s interesting to read your view about declawing. However, I believe that if you have the smallest amount of humaneness within you, as you go through your years of training, as you start to understand the corruption that is rife within the veterinary profession in the USA, as you start to see declawed cats returned to the vet with myriad behaviour and physical problems caused by the mutilation that is declawing, as you do some extra hours shelter duty, gassing or euthanasing declawed cats who have been dumped by idiot lazy owners – you will realise that there never a reason to electively chop off the toe ends of cats for human convenience. Clearly, right now, at the start of your career, you are high on the hubris of career possibility. Sadly, you have already lost the ability to see a cat with claws as the real deal, the whole cat.

The AVMA is a trade body, it’s only purpose is to ensure that its members run a profitable business. Declawing makes running a vet practice very profitable, but it ensures that the declawed cat’s life is miserable. I do hope that you recieve intelligent training in spotting feline pain expression at vet school, this will enable you to ensure that your clients (the cats) receive much better care from you. If you become a vet who declaws cats routinely, then there is no way you can consider yourself a humane vet. You will be an unethical vet who is happy to mutilate cats for the sake of your wallet and popularity amongst ignorant owners. You could take a feline behaviour course and actively teach owners how to train their cats humanely. That would be a great thing to do. Whatever you do, before you spout more of this naive pro-declaw hyperbole, please read about the other side (the true) side of declawing.

The world doesn’t need vets who mutilate animals. The world needs educated, humane vets who stay loyal to the oath they take.

I wish you well in your career and I hope that as you become more experienced you will understand that you have been lied to by the AVMA, every pro-declaw vet you come into contact with and also your sacred tutors who will be teaching you the procedure.

Yep, they all lied to you. It’s up to you to find out the truth. If you can’t be bothered to do that, if truth doesn’t matetr to you, I’m sure they will be still hiring at the butcher’s store or the abbatoir in years to come

Thank you for taking the time to put your point of view.

I wish you well in your career. I would hope that you would reconsider your position on declawing as:

Declawing is unnecessary. It is a question of jumping out of the box and thinking much wider than you are. You are thinking within the confines of a culture that condones declawing, which makes an unbiased or objective view impossible.

If (as we do in Europe) you live in a different culture declawing looks barbaric from any angle.

The AVMA policy is not good in my view as it allows for declawing and it is almost universally ignored by vets in the USA who don’t see it as an operation of last resort but as a priority (hence coupons etc. see All Paws Animal Clinic as one example – this vet got an award!)

We have said this many times before. The domestic companion cat is not to be physically modified to suit our desires. We either accept the cat as she is or not at all (don’t adopt).

With that policy the “problem” of abandoned cats, and abused cats would gradually fade over time.

Declawing is the symptom of an incorrect culture or attitude towards the cat companion that creates all manner of other problems all of which causes suffering for the cat and eventually for us as well (abandoments etc. see Declawing Myths and Truths)

I would like you to step out of the culture that you have acquired and think laterally and more widely. Then decide what is best and the answer is not to allow a knowledgeable veterinarian and client to decide to declaw or not as veterinarians have indoctrinated clients into believing that declawing is acceptable.

One last point: the client is the cat not the person. What does the cat want?