"There is no need to be frustrated with a destructive cat. Declawing can be performed safely,with excellent pain control, and with out long term complications or lameness."
With the right experience, techniques, and care declaws can be performed with great outcomes. Like any surgery though some complications can occur, but it is uncommon that long term complications occur. Here at Premier VetCare we are focused on making this, as all our procedures, as pain free as possible. We use proven anesthesia protocols that provides excellent pain control during the procedure, we also perform all our declaw procedure with a CO2 surgical LASER. Surgical LASER greatly facilitates a very precise removal of the claw, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues, as well as, diminishes post operative pain and bleeding. We then provide a pain injection in recovery and we send home oral pain medications for you to continue at home. Most cats are back to their old self in just a few days
Facts About Declawing Cats
When cats are made to live with us in our homes, this is somewhat of an unnatural environment for them. However consider that it is a known fact that cats living totally indoors will live at least 2-3 times longer than an outside cat because of dogs, cat fights, cars, disease, & abusive people. Therefore it makes good sense to help your cat live the best life possible by keeping it inside your house and making it an acceptable member of your family. This may include declawing it to prevent damage to the home and those living in it.
Declawing is not cruel in our opinion. It is much more cruel to get mad at the cat for following its natural instincts. Even Crueler to consider re-homing, abounding the cat outdoors, surrendering it to a shelter, or event consider euthanasia. You read that right, euthanize, we have had clients that rather euthanize a problematic destructive cat than declaw it. The clients were more concerned about what their friends and family would think about them declawing their cat. Thinking euthanasia was less cruel than a declaw procedure. Thankfully we educated the owners on the myths about declawing cats, and they now live peacefully with their owners after a safe, and effective declaw procedure.
Declawed cats are NOT defenseless. Cats do not fight with their front claws. They bite and scratch with the rear feet. They can still climb trees (to escape) without front claws.
No cat is too old to be declawed. However, the younger the cat is when surgery is performed, the faster the recovery. 8-16 week old kittens are often running all over the house the very next day after surgery.
The rear feet can also be declawed but is only recommended if your cat damages you or the furniture with the back feet.
WHAT IS INVOLVED? The surgery is done under general injectable anesthesia. The last joint of the toe that contains the claw is precisely surgically removed using our surgical LASER. The feet are sore for 1-2 weeks but excessive post-operative pain is rare except in older, overweight cats. The pain is typically well controlled with oral postoperative pain medications. We have newer better medications available specially for cats that work great. Additional long-lasting pain injections or oral medications are recommended when appropriate. Special litter recommendations are made to ensure that nothing sticks to the feet to cause an infection, and we ask the cat's activity and jumping is restricted. Otherwise no special home care is required.
Declawing is probably the single most important surgical decision for your kitten, other than spay/neutering. It is a difficult decision that we recognize is individual to each family and may help ensure a satisfactory relationship between the cat and its owner! We are happy to help you weigh your options and help guide you through this choice. With the experience of over 1700 procedures we have the experience and track record to help with a successful, and safe declaw procedure if you decide it is necessary.
If you think you may need to declaw your cat we strongly recommend performing that procedure early, as kittens between 8-16 weeks do really well, be any age cat can be declawed successfully.
Pricing includes:
LASER assisted Declaw Procedure
DVM Exam (Elective Sx)
Anesthesia
Surgical Prep & Supplies
Surgical Monitoring& Recovery
Buprenorphine Pain Injection
Pre & Post surgical Onsior Oral Pain Medication
Recheck exam in 10 days
Below are the starting prices for our Declaw procedures.
The cost of the pain medication provided is dependent on your pet's weight so the cost of your cat's procedure may be more.
A full Treatment Plan and cost is provided at time of drop off for surgery.
Declaw (2 foot) - $283.50*
Declaw and Spay - $333.50*
Declaw and Neuter - $323.50*
Declaw (4 foot) - $373.50*
Declaw (4 foot) and Spay - $458.50*
Declaw (4 foot) and Neuter - $428.50*
*High Risk Declaws
Cats over 5 years old or weigh over 15 lbs are at a higher risk for complications associated with declaw procedures. Our doctors are still experienced and capable of providing safe LASER declaw procedures even to high risk felines. We are happy to discuss the additional risk and answer any questions with you regarding those risk. Though typically they will do fine, and not suffer long term complications, additional surgical time, anesthesia, pain medications, and rechecks are needed to insure a positive outcome. High Risk Declaws are an additional $100 per procedure.
NOTE: Despite our best efforts, occasionally a pet will open the incisions or infect the incisions. This is nearly always due to excessive licking, chewing, or jumping. Surgical complications are ALWAYS POSSIBLE with any procedure. Please return your pet anytime you are concerned about complications. Post-op rechecks are performed at no charge, but the client is responsible for any and all drugs and materials needed to treat the pet as a result of any complications occurring after surgery.
