Ron Hines DVM PhD is quite a well known American veterinarian and he describes cat declawing in a very irresponsible and careless way that is bound to mislead cat owners. A lot of cat owners are simply not aware of what declawing entails. This factor alone – a lack of knowledge of the operation – is a major factor why declawing exists.
What makes Ron Hines particularly irresponsible is that he has a successful website that receives lots of visits. He is, therefore, misleading hundreds of thousands of cat owners. He needs to be publicly criticised and he needs to amend his page on declawing which he entitles: “Should I Declaw My Cat“.
This is what he writes:
The claws of animals, like the fingernails of people are modified hair. When the front claws of cats are removed at an early age (less than six months of age) it is a minor procedure. No worse than circumcising a baby.
So what is wrong with that? Well, he correctly states that a cat’s claws are made of keratin. More precisely most of the claw is made of keratin but part of it is living tissue. He then writes “When the front claws of cats are removed….” This strongly implies that the removal of a cat’s claw is confined to the removal of the actual claw when we know that it is far more than that. It is the removal of the bone that supports the claw which is the last phalange of the toe. This is done ten times.
How can this operation, therefore, be described as “a minor procedure”. The pain produced is very severe and vets admit that.
Another mistake he makes is to write this:
I would much rather see a cat declawed than allowed loose out-of-doors.
What in heavens name is he saying? This is a bizarre statement. It is a very sloppy, imprecise statement. Cats outdoors can be safe in a catio or in a place where it is safe outside. He is saying that ten unecessary and hugely painful amputations on an innocent domestic cat is better than letting a cat enjoy the outside air and grass under their feet. Mad. Bad.
Rone Hines DVM has made a mess of his page on declawing. It is interesting that he writes that he has not declawed his own cat but immediately follows that by stating, “But I understand why owners who love their cats very much sometimes have their pets declawed.”
So people who love their cats like to mutilate their cats for their convenience? Does that make sense Dr Hines PhD? What is your PhD in? Ethics? Have you read your oath lately?
Vets have a duty to fully inform clients what declawing actually entails. Dr Hines fails miserably in that duty. Hines you are foolish despite your PhD.
Agreed. He knows what he is doing and clearly the wording is misleading. I wonder whether he has worded declawing like this because of peer pressure. He does not want to fall out with other vets. I sense that a lot, perhaps the majority, of vets passively support declawing because of peer pressure. They are scared to step outside the pack and become an outsider. That appears to be one reason. The other is money of course.
My opinion is that he is purposely candy coating for reasons that we all know.
He’s trained and knows what the real deal is.
The word “fraud” comes to mind. His clients should sue if he doesn’t fully disclose before he butchers their cats.
What an appallingly ignorant man, this bit at the bottom made me seethe with rage!
‘Dear reader, my responsibility is to you and your cat , not the HSUS or crusading activists. It would be easy for me to just supply you with their politically correct advice – But I am not going to give you advice that ruins your loving relationship with your pet or fills shelters with abandoned cats – no mater how much webflack my articles generate)’
He can’t even spell! But that’s beside the point, I can’t find any way to comment on there or to contact this excuse for a vet, not that he would care about anti declaw comments anyway,he is an arrogant man who breaks his oath every time he mutilates a cat or kitten! This is exactly why declawing MUST be banned, to stop vets like him spreading these lies about doing the best for cats and declawing saving homes. No doubt he will retire one day with his finger ends intact ands his bank balance bursting with blood money!
Thanks for your support Rudolph. Dr Hines really has got this wrong. I don’t know if he is being careless or is deliberately downplaying declawing. I have a feeling it is the latter. He lives in Texas. Texans tend to be hunters and shooters.
Definitely misleading definition of “CAT DECLAWING”. That too from a prominent American Veterianarian!The public always “BELIEVES” information from “ESTABLISHED NEWSPAPERS” and REPUTED INDIVIDUALS” even if at times the so called “FACTS” are later proved to be false or at best controversial.”CAT DECLAWING” is definitely harmful for cats as it alters their personality as well as effects their paws physically.