By Sandy Eastman - ONLYforPETLOVERS Minneapolis

Most people will agree that in any argument there are two sides to every story. Some sides are somewhat right; some a great deal wrong.

A cat has the natural instinct to keep his claws clean and sharp, thus the scratching process is part of his make-up, not something he does to irritate his owner. His claws are used to pick up food, to hunt, to protect himself. Every cat owner is faced with the question: declaw or not declaw.

People generally declaw their cat at a young age because they plan on keeping the cat indoors at all times, are forced by a regulation imposed by their dwelling, or because they do not want to run the risk of ruined furniture or small children getting scratched. Many would never think of having a cat unless it is declawed.

What is declawing?
Declawing is a surgical process that disarticulates the last digit of the toes to remove the part of the bone from which the claw grows. Whether done by a scalpel or laser, the disconnection of the tiny ligaments holding the bone in place is done at the joint. It is the equivalent in a human is having the first joint in all of your fingers removed. Normally, the cat spends about two days in the hospital and then endures, what some believe, a painful healing process. If proper pain control is used, however, the operation need not be painful.

In rare cases, not enough of the bone is removed and claws grow back causing infection and the need for another surgery. In the worst case scenario, a procedure done improperly or an infection gone untreated can result in amputation.

Laser surgery, an alternative to the traditional process, causes less bleeding and pain. However, it is more expensive. The downside can be an inexperienced operator which can result in burning of tissue and delayed healing.

How do the majority of veterinarians feel about the procedure?
According to several clinics in the Minneapolis metropolitan area, surgery, which most perform, can be done in a variety of ways. City Cat Clinic encourages alternative choices for its clients before considering the procedure. Only then do they do it by laser. Compassionate Care Animal Hospital is very cautious when performing the procedure and recommends it only for younger cats or those with an extreme behavior problem. Compassionate Care always uses injectible narcotics prior to surgery, along with a narcotic pain patch which is effective for a five-day period. Oral medications are sent home to be administered and antibiotics are always given to dissuade any occurrence of infection.

Humane groups argue that cats are unable to tolerant pain medications. In actuality, this is not true said Judi Funk, D.V.M. of Compassionate Care.

“Cats can’t tolerate NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) at normal drug doses because they lack an enzyme to break down certain drugs,” said Funk. “Cats do extremely well with narcotics and NSAIDs given every 48 to 72 hours”.

So what are the alternatives?
Training is the best non-surgical method of saving your sanity and furniture. Scratching posts make of sisal rope or inside out carpet will encourage your cat to scratch on a harder surface and away from your upholstery.

“Be sure the post is at least 30 inches tall and sturdy enough that the cat cannot tip it over,” said Suzanne Richcreek, D.V.M, at City Cat Clinic. You can treat a cardboard strip or a scratching post with catnip to entice the cat.

Also, the use of Soft Paws is touted as a method of controlling scratching in a cat that is not declawed. However, these blunt acrylic nail caps, which are glued onto the cat’s claws, must be replaced as the claws grow. The nails also need trimming on a regular basis.

So what really happens to the cat after it declawed?
Opponents say that cats can become fearful, defiant or aggressive and often resort to biting. Yet a cat who is declawed does not know that it has no claws, thus why would it not immediately begin to bite as a means of protection? Others state that cats often become more loving to their owners after declawing, thus making them better pets.

Many people in favor of declawing state that it is no different than spaying or neutering as the cat is still altered in some way. It is a proven fact that spaying or neutering has only a positive effect on the animal, health-wise and companion-wise. Studies are not conclusive on the declawing issue.

We can surmise from all the pros and cons that the answer to the question of declawing must be found in our conscience. The decision should be made in everyone’s best interest, especially the cat, to ensure a healthy and loving pet as well as a happy household.

Cat owners often waver between whether or not to declaw. ONLYforPETLOVERS correspondent Sandra Eastman answers some of the most frequently asked questions after speaking with ten animal clinics in the Minneapolis metropolitan area.

Can a declawed cat still catch prey?
All of my sister’s cats were declawed, but they had absolutely no problem catching the mice that scampered through her country house on occasion.

What about the tremendous pain involved?
Any orthopedic surgery involves pain, but the goal from a veterinary viewpoint is to always control the pain with proper drugs and correct procedures. An abdominal surgery is also extremely painful, but this is controlled with the proper drugs.

Will the cat have trouble using the litter box after he is declawed?
Although paws are tender after the surgery, a declawed cat will not lose his litter box instinct. Using a recycled newspaper litter during the healing process will avoid litter being impacted in the incisions.

Does the cat lose his means of protection?
Yes and no. A declawed cat must never be allowed to roam outside as he is still able to climb trees. Also, when backed into a corner, a declawed can also inflict severe trauma with his teeth. All severe wounds from cat fights are from their teeth, not their claws.