DECLAW

Our top priority is providing the highest-quality of veterinary care to each pet we treat. Every policy and medical procedure supported by our practice has been put in place with the health and wellness of pets in mind.

Our veterinarians perform a surgical onychectomy if they believe that a cat cannot be trained to refrain from using its claws destructively in the home, or poses a danger to family members. Unfortunately, all cats are not amenable to behavior modification and we believe that this surgical procedure will result in fewer cats being abandoned or euthanized.

We also believe feline onychectomy should be performed only with the medically appropriate use of anesthetics and analgesics and adherence to careful surgical and post-surgical protocols.

Here is a list of the methods we implement to help our feline patients remain comfortable for this procedure:

• A sedative & pain injection are given before the surgery is started 
• A transdermal (through skin absorption) pain patch is placed which continues to medicate the cat at home after the surgery
• The nerves that transmit pain to the paws are numbed during the surgery so they wake up comfortably
• An anti-inflammatory injection can be used to prevent swelling, throbbing, and pain post-operatively
• Our state-of-the-art therapeutic K-laser is used directly after each procedure which reduces pain
• Padded bandages are placed to protect their paws the first night after their procedure