the Right Way &
the Wrong Ways
to Declaw a Cat:
A. Toe Anatomy: B. Best Technique C. Cut too shallow
D. Lacerated Pad E. Destroyed Joint Articulation
Legend:
A. Toe Anatomy: Claw/Toenail = "C"; 3rd phalange (III) with bone & germinal tissue of claw; 2nd phalange (II)
B. Best Technique: Deep enough to remove germinal tissue, but shallow enough to spare joint & toe pad. . (green = surgical cut; yellow is joint capsule area)
C. Cut Too Shallow: Retained germinal tissue causes partial claw regrowth within months to years (= spurs).
D. Lacerated Pad: In order to avoid retained germinal tissue, some surgeons cut too deeply, thus lacerating toe pads & causing lameness (red = common areas of lacerated pads).
E. Destroyed Joint Articulation: Careful dissection can spare the pad, but still removes the whole 3rd phalange, creating an unnatural walking surface.
[the above drawings are adapted from page 274 of Current Techniques in Small Animal Surgery, Editor M. Joseph Bojrab, DVM, MS,PhD, 1st Edition, 1975]
....a Note about "Lasers":
As noted in the diagrams above, it is the skill of the surgeon, not his tools, which determines the outcome. A cat can be gently, humanely declawed with either traditional surgery or with a laser. Conversely, when done incorrectly, a cat may be lame & disfigured regardless whether the surgeon uses a laser or a surgical instrument.
... & a Note about "Tendonectomies":
Yes, there is indeed a surgical alternative to the "declaw" procedure...it is called a "Tendonectomy". This procedure will mechanically prevent the cat from extending its claws. It is a very gentle surgical technique. And, yes, we will be happy to provide this surgery for your cat; however, there are some important facts to consider first: (a) you will need to trim his toenails once a month to prevent them from growing into his footpads; and, (b) after about one year the toenails will start to grow in a knurly fashion (due to the lack of normal tension provided by the tendons); at which time you may decide to have the regular "declaw" performed.