I received this heartbreaking note from a cat owner in Ohio. The truth is, if all vets would stop declawing and just start counseling cat owners about the negative and horrific facts about declawing and educate them about the humane alternatives like sturdy scratching posts, various options of horizontal scratching pads, nail trimming, and soft paws, then no cat would have to go through this inhumane, dangerous, and mutilating procedure. And no cat would be killed from it or suffer like so many do.
It’s disheartening to hear about Star’s story since it is a tragic reminder that there are thousands of cats each year who are harmed, mutilated, and who die from this unnecessary procedure. Remember, around 2 million cats in America are declawed each year.
Dear City,
My story is we moved into a new home and my cat, Star, ruined the new carpet by clawing at it. We tried cat claw caps and my boyfriend was not happy with the claw covers because she could still get them off so he pushed me to declaw.
Star was a 4 year old cat so regular declawing was not an option. My vet did not want to declaw my older cat but he recommended a vet that used a laser and said the laser declawing was safer for the older animal. He did pre-bloodwork and all was a go.
She came out of the declaw surgery and a person from the office called to let me know the surgery was done and she was waking up. Not even an hour later the vet himself called to tell me they lost her.
I was like what do you mean lost her? He said she stood up, fell to her side and she passed away.
He apologized repeatedly and I told him I just wanted to come get her and bring her home.
We drove to get her and the whole vet office was crying along with all of my family.
They had her in a little cardboard coffin and we brought her home and buried her. The vet office wiped our bill out and sent us a sympathy card.
I would never fault the vet, his entire staff was more than professional during the whole thing.
It was an unfortunate accident and my cat was one of the few percent that didn’t survive a routine surgery.
The vet did say he was not doing to declaw older cats anymore after this. He was shaken to the core.
I get my new cat’s claw trimmed at the groomers monthly with no issues now.