Ruth, one of the country’s staunchest advocates against declawing, forwarded a couple of photographs to me of a red, spotted tabby-and-white cat being declawed together with a photograph of the cat after being declawed. The screenshot is below.
Jim, a visitor comments (see below): “The woman on the left is the vet and the one who, according to the post, threw the severed cat toes at a third person, apparently a student intern, who was the one who took the photo and wrote the comments. The cat on the right is not the same cat as the one on the left…but apparently was subjected to declawing. It’s still very disturbing and discouraging.” This clears things up. My description off the photos is not accurate with respect to the parties but it does not change what is happening with respect to ethics and moral code.
Perhaps I needn’t add words to this page but I will add a few. I am compelled to. I presume the photograph on the left shows the veterinarian and his assistant declawing this cat. I don’t know the name of the person who made the comments which are below the photograph but they are crass beyond belief and appear to be made by the vet. The behaviour of this couple of medics during the declawed operation is highly objectionable. It is nauseous.
The veterinarian is laughing at the fact that his assistant threw at him the fragments of bone and the claws that had been amputated from this cat’s smashed toes. He actually finds it amusing. Amusing for God’s sake! Only a vet who is completely desensitised to the reality of what he is doing could behave in this manner. And then to post the photos online. Extraordinary. Update: Please read the comments by Ruth on this as she has a better grasp of the ‘players’. This article was written from the screenshot alone.
In the picture on the right we see the aftermath of the declawing operation. This is the classic, fearful, racked with pain, face and posture of a cat who has suffered 10 amputations at the same time, which all took place within about 15 minutes and therefore the operation is quite likely a botch. The vet or assistant finds the photo amusing for some macabre reason.
I am shocked and I am in despair because these vets certainly do not care and by that I mean the vets who genuinely believe that declawing is acceptable and which is part of their culture. Shame on him and her. They are not fit to be veterinary medics.
To be an excellent vet you have to have empathy with the patient. That is as important as knowledge and skill. It is also telling that a trainee vet (if I am correct) is doing the operation. It tells us how routine and unimportant it is to the clinic.
Dear Michael-
I know you are in total agreement with my prior statement; because I and many other’s are keenly aware of how deeply you love and support animal rights.God Bless and enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.
Your friend, Eva
That is sick.
Well said Eva. As you know I totally agree with you.
If any one of us could begin to imagine or experience the trauma, fear and excruciating pain these or any animals have to endure, we humans would outlaw such monstrous and selfish acts within a short time, in all countries. I am of the firm conviction that if a pet owner is offended by the animals body parts that he or she should not ever be allowed to adopt., or even be a sitter to them.
Eva_ serial killers were once or initially started acting out their abusive behaviors on animals.Just because one animal or hundreds are subjected to barbaric procedures, this still does not make it right.
Yes, I believe, you are correct, Elizabeth. It’s a slow process but change in occurring.
There more support for banning this surgery. More and more are growing every day. Including vets.