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.
Hi, I’ve emailed you the pics and requested a friendship on face book and sent you the link to the International anti declaw group my sister and I co founded 6 years ago x
Hi Irish. Your comment was held up by software because it contains 2 links. Sorry, it was not me. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Ruth and everyone.
Thanks for contacting the AVMA. If everyone does that they will HAVE to notice the outrage that we as devoted cat lovers are expressing. Together we can make an impact- and let the AVMA know about these uncaring and unfeeling veterinarians who are practicing very BAD medicine. Let’s all take action. It is truly urgent.
Ruth could ye please send me a link for this photo on facebook to share,yesterday I posted a few pieces about declawing on my facebook wall asking others to share and it saddens me not one share at all,to me those that make the claim that they love animals and are in the movement would have complied,animal activists cannot be selective because to do so other ar issues go un-noticed,here is my facebook link Ruth if ye too have an acct and if not then please email the link to me!
email
eire57@yahoo.com
There’s a contact form on the AVMA page …..I’ve written……..Concerning Dr. Jill Colburn. Moonbrook Veterinary Hospital, Jamestown, New York and the un-named intern who posted the pictures, assisting her at the declawing of a cat. The disgusting picture of those people having fun while amputating a cat’s toe ends, needs to be investigated. Also the cat cringing in the corner of the cage and the comment ‘poor kitty ha ha’ These pictures are all over the internet and it’s to be hoped the owners of those cats don’t see them. Neither of those women having fun, is wearing a surgical gown or a mask. Declawing is barbaric and should be illegal as it is in other civilised countries, but what is even worse is veterinary clinic staff making light of serious major surgery which cripples cats for life and calling it ‘a good day’ and sharing the pictures!
Maybe more people can let the AVMA know how disgusted we are!
Thank you for being brave and reading it and commenting too Diane, it’s so truly upsetting and I hate to upset good people who already know how cruel declawing is and want it stopped. But we have to let everyone know this is happening.
Sometimes I feel I can’t bear it any more, yesterday I wanted to jump on a plane and fly across and kill those two worthless women, but it wouldn’t help even if I could as I’d end up in prison and be no more good to the cause!
Yes I hope Karma exists and all the evil vets who declaw get their just deserts and also the staff who assist at mutilating cats and laugh about it.