Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge. I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.
Declawing cats is in direct contradiction and violation of that oath.Declawing of cats is unethical.Catdad is correct that education is crucial and there are many many working hard to educate.
Remember the "America's Favorite Veterinarian" contest fiasco? The only vet in the top 10 who did not declaw was about to win by a landslide. The contest was canceled because of "cyberbullying" but no proof of this "bullying" was ever provided.
Howeverthe result of that was that two other vets in the top ten running have decided to no longer declaw cats!
Vets are starting to admit how awful it is, and realize their practice can live without that particular gravy train.
People are becoming educated. A whole new generation is growing up with the understanding that amputation of a cat's toes is cruelty and inhumane.
But, we still need laws. Those vets who run "specials" and "coupons" and "packages" need to be stopped. Even their precious AVMA states as a "last resort". But there are vets out there advertising that "the cat heals more quickly if done as a kitten" and "It's cheaper to have your kitten declawed than to replace your furniture".
Visit The Paw Project and City The Kitty Advocate for Animals. The links and screen shots are there showing these disgusting things.
If you have the stomach for it you can read about these three cats whose owners were "talked into" declawing after the owner had decided against it. All three cats have suffered severe complications. One cat, so far, has had to have her paws amputated. Not sure about the other two yet. All this though the vet swore that his AVMA "specialist" who came to his practice to do these surgeries (what a racket the two vets have going eh?) has been doing declaws for 30 years with never a problem.
Sure. And now these cats...well their suffering is beyond appalling. If it were my decision, I would have them euthanized. No cat should be forced to live with such suffering, simply because the owners feel guilty for caving under the pressure of an unethical vet.
One of the ways I have helped spread awareness is to donate copies of The Paw Project documentary dvd to local shelters and my local library. Every time I look it up at the library, it's checked out!
If other first world nations (like the UK & Canada) can declare it unethical and ban it, then why can't we in the U.S. The only answer I can come up with is money.
Things could easily change in the US as well. Contrary to popular belief (I am not intending to say you believe this, many people do though) being a veterinarian doesn't mean rolling in cash. Profit margins in most clinics are not huge, and it's difficult/expensive to build a profitable clinic. so the more customers who refuse to take their animals to dr's who support declawing the less clinics there will be that will offer it.
Both my cats are declawed, never caused any problems and if I got another cat I'd have her declawed as well.
.
Why?
Quote:
I don't get the uproar about it, if you don't want to declaw your pet, don't. It should be up to the pet owner and their vet
Perhaps if you educated yourself about what these amputations actually consist of you would get what the uproar is about. Your vet knows what s/he is doing to your cats. But your vet wants your money, so doesn't care what happens to your cats.
I've posted some links above, to get you started.
Cats feel pain. They HIDE it, instinctively, because cats are fairly low on the food chain, and showing pain or illness makes them vulnerable.
Vets know this. Vets know. The ones who still do it, they just want your money. But I imagine they think the client is pretty gullible, especially in this time with all the education out there about it, to fall for the lies.
Yes, and I'll take ownership- I felt after reading how it was performed that doing this procedure to my animals is off limits to me. It's unethical to me. At the same time I will not paint those vets as evil, or horrible. It used to be a very routine to have done and it is still legal here. If a client is still absolutely insistent on this procedure, I would rather see a veterinarian do it well, or refer that person to a place that does it well then drive a client to a backwards place that has little consideration standard of care or pain management.
I appreciate that. And, really, I'm not trying to be as tough about this particular issue as it might seem.
I think a big part of it is that I live in an area where some people seem to have this idea that they know better than me about what's right for me. Frankly, when I did my google search, I was shocked that declawing hasn't been outlawed anywhere around here.
Maybe it's a type of "professional courtesy", but I do respect that people will practice their profession within the established ethical boundaries. If I don't like it, I can choose to go someplace else, or work to get a ballot measure to get whatever practice it is outlawed. But, at the end of the day, I don't feel that it is not my place, as someone who doesn't have the education and experience that these people have, to tell them what should or should not be "ethical" within their profession.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SweetLittleWing
His practice through client experience encouraged it so we wouldn't dump them or request that they be put down later for scratching a couch. It sounded like something that happened often at the time. Which is why I mostly mentioned grumpy. a miserable grumpy cat who bit people, peed everywhere and pooped on the floor- if a couch being scratched was such a big deal to those folks they wouldn't have kept a cat like her for a week, nevermind 9 years. So I was puzzled as a non-dumper that the issue would be pressed. My mother tried a lot for that cat, even spending time in that room reading or throwing toys for her so she had company. I also read books in there, or would throw toys for her to chase if she wanted. she never liked being pet, but would sit beside you. Her limit was being told she needed $500-$1200 in treatment when she did get ill, mom opted for euthanasia and stated if it had been the other cat, there would be no question- treat it. But not for a cat who was very rarely "happy" and soiled outside her box for years.
I get that, and would never think to question someone who literally had the cat's interests at heart.
Back about 5 years ago, I went in to the vet to have my cat put down. He had been treated for cancer in his ear two or three years prior, and the cancer just got him in the end.
When he had his surgery, the vet said that she was not able to get all of the cancer out- that it had wrapped around the healthy tissue in his ear. We had the option at that point to remove the ear canal, and I decided not to do it. I felt that it was too much for a 12 year old cat. So, between the surgery and when I took him in for euthanasia, he had not been seen by the vet. I only mention this because when I called the vet up to say "it's time", they informed me that they would have to do a full examination.
Turned out that once they saw him, the examination was not necessary. When I asked afterward what the deal was with this, they let me know that, by law, they cannot euthanize an otherwise healthy cat at the request of the owner. I don't know for sure, but I would think that a reason behind this law are people who would have cats put down for "couch scratching" or the like.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SweetLittleWing
My point in sharing what my friend told me indicates attitudes around declawing in that region are changing. Which is a great thing.
I agree, and fortunately, I've seen the same thing where I am.
Even though we are a "full house" in terms of animals, I still check the shelter/rescue sites regularly. What has stood out to me is how few cats are declawed.
It used to be a very routine to have done and it is still legal here. If a client is still absolutely insistent on this procedure, I would rather see a veterinarian do it well, or refer that person to a place that does it well then drive a client to a backwards place that has little consideration standard of care or pain management.
.
I do not agree. Vets need to take a stand. If they say "I do not think you should declaw your cat because it is amputation of the toe bones, we can help you train your cat" and after all the education, the client still insists, and the vet does it, all that education is useless. The client says "well he agreed to do it so it can't be all that bad anyway"
If a vet does it, the vet is condoning it. It just is that black and white.
But I thank you for starting the thread and sharing that knowledge and understanding is spreading.
Cats feel pain. They HIDE it, instinctively, because cats are fairly low on the food chain, and showing pain or illness makes them vulnerable.
Not all cats who are declawed live in pain constantly. And, yes, cats absolutely "show pain".
You know, your words would be a heck of lot more impactful if you actually stuck with your cases in point and didn't try to make it all a "universal truth".
Even though we are a "full house" in terms of animals, I still check the shelter/rescue sites regularly. What has stood out to me is how few cats are declawed.
This is most likely because often when declawed cats are dumped for behavior problems such as litter box avoidance, and biting they are deemed "unadoptable" and if it is a no kill shelter they are quietly sent to the nearest pound instead.
This is most likely because often when declawed cats are dumped for behavior problems such as litter box avoidance, and biting they are deemed "unadoptable" and if it is a no kill shelter they are quietly sent to the nearest pound instead.
Actually, the only declawed cats I've seen are at a local no-kill shelter.
Not all cats who are declawed live in pain constantly. And, yes, cats absolutely "show pain".
You know, your words would be a heck of lot more impactful if you actually stuck with your cases in point and didn't try to make it all a "universal truth".
I do not agree.
Cats show pain when they are in so much agony, they can no longer hide it.
And did you know that cats who have two paws that hurt, will not, cannot, limp?
Thanks for the advice. You mean I should lie to make it sound better? I don't agree with that, either.
Actually, the only declawed cats I've seen are at a local no-kill shelter.
Yes, I guess my meaning wasn't clear. If they are labeled "unadoptable" because of behavior problems they are sent to a place that is *not* no-kill.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
At the same time I will not paint those vets as evil, or horrible. It used to be a very routine to have done and it is still legal here. If a client is still absolutely insistent on this procedure, I would rather see a veterinarian do it well, or refer that person to a place that does it well then drive a client to a backwards place that has little consideration standard of care or pain management. 
