Story published March 10, 2023

Here’s the March 2, 2023 email that was sent to all the ISVMA members asking them to oppose the anti-declawing bill. Look what they said, “To be clear, this bill threatens the veterinary profession. It belittles your education and credentials, undermines your credibility and restricts your ability to use sound medical judgment. It restricts your access to safe surgical solutions when a cat’s life is at risk. It compromises your medical oath and ignores the fundamental need to maintain the cat and human bond.”

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Illinois Rep. Barbara Hernandez introduced the anti-declawing House Bill 1533  in Feb. 2023.

The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA), their President, and representative are putting out lies and misinformation about declawing to the public, the media, and to legislators to try to stop this anti-declawing bill.

 

In our 9 years of surveying vet clinics in America, this was one of the most shocking surveys we conducted where so many vets had promotional declawing info on their websites, many are performing 2 and 4 paw declaws on a routine basis, and so many say that declawing is ok for a cat long term.

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The President of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Dr Joanne Carlson, started telling lies and promoting misinformation about declawing to the public, the media, and to legislators.

She was quoted in a story in the Courier Journal and The Telegraph as saying these comments at the state veterinarians council.

“To be clear, Illinois veterinarians perform feline onychectomies infrequently and any suggestions that this is a common practice are untrue,” Carlson said. “When it is done, as a last resort, it is to protect the health and well-being of the cat.”

There is no evidence that cats who have this procedure experience any long-term difficulties, Carlson said.

“Modern declawing is no more painful or complicated than one might expect from a spay or neuter procedure,” she said.”

Those are all blatant lies. This is history repeating itself with how the vets with the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association stopped the anti-declawing bill in 2016 with many of the same type of lies to legislators .

1) Our survey of 74 vet clinics in Illinois shows that declawing is a common and routine procedure and many are making good money declawing cats.

2) We’ve listed 4 studies at the end of this survey that show how declawing causes behavioral issues in cats. Here’s a recent story by Steve Dale where he even calls Carlson out for her lies. https://stevedalepetworld.com/blog/ban-declaw-bill-in-illinois-may-be-stalled/

3) From The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) in 2007.  “Physically, regardless of the method used, onychectomy causes a higher level of pain than spays and neuters. Patients may experience both adaptive and maladaptive pain; in addition to inflammatory pain, there is the potential to develop long-term neuropathic or central pain if the pain is inadequately managed during the perioperative and healing periods.”

4) You can ask any shelter/rescue in Illinois and in other states if they get declawed cats relinquished to their shelters for behavioral issues like biting or not using the litter box. Their answer will always be yes, they get declawed cats on a regular basis. Many of those declawed cats have to be euthanized because they can’t find a new home.

Dr Joanne Carlson also did this radio interview on March 7, 2023. https://wtax.com/podcasts/the-isvma-opposes-cat-declawing-bill/

She lies once again to the radio host and says that declawing doesn’t happen very often and there are very few instances where it’s performed.

She talks about elderly people on blood thinners or people with thin skin as excuses to declaw.
Why doesn’t Dr Carlson keep up on the latest info about this issue and know that the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the US Public Health Service, the National Institutes of Health, (NIH), American Cancer Society, National Hemophilia Foundation, and infectious diseases experts DO NOT advise cat owners to declaw their cats for any human health reason or to protect humans from scratches.
Also, all the big veterinary organizations like the American Association of Feline Practitioners, VCA, AAHA, and more also do not recommend declawing for human health issues.

They all recommend using common sense measures to prevent cat scratches, trim their nails, and use nail caps as alternatives to declawing.

Carlson neglected to mention that according to peer-reviewed veterinary journals, declawed cats bite more and use the litter box less than their clawed counterparts. Bite wounds and urine-soaked floorboards pose a greater health risk to these people.

Why does Dr Carlson think it’s better to have declawed cats biting elderly people with health issues and peeing all over the house as a way to promote human health?

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The Illinois Times published this story about this bill on March 16, 2023. https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/cutting-out-declawing/Content?oid=16586501

We reached out to the reporter, Scott Reeder, and sent him our survey that shows the ISVMA and their President were lying and saying that declawing is not a common procedure in their state. The ISVMA’s President, Dr Joanne Carlson even said this lie in his story, “It’s a simple surgical procedure,” she said. “If done properly, there are no limitations on the cat. So there really is no downside except for the fact that it is a surgery and we do have to take care. …”

Instead of interviewing the President of the ISVMA and acknowledging that our survey shows that declawing is common procedure in Illinois, Scott Reeder wrote an opinion piece in the Illinois Times and Telegraph that opposes this important cat protection bill. His opinion piece is filled with misinformation and fear mongering excuses to condone declawing. https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/when-the-claws-come-out/Content?oid=16614062

https://www.thetelegraph.com/opinion/article/two-groups-animal-lovers-differ-declawing-cats-17851456.php

Scott Reeder’s wife, Dr Joan Saner Reeder, is the declawing veterinarian at Coble Animal Hospital according to an employee who works there, and Sangamon Animal Hospital is their sister clinic. His dad was a veterinarian and owned Knox Pet Clinic and retired in 1985.  All four of these clinics still perform declawing according to employees who work there.  Employees at three of them say they perform declaws on a regular basis.  You can find the results in numbers 11-14 here in our survey and the results might explain the motivation for this opinion piece by this reporter.

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We surveyed 74 vet clinics in Illinois.

Here’s what we found.  85% of them declaw cats. How is that rare, ISVMA?

62 vet clinics declaw cats. 44 say that declawing is a regular procedure in their clinics.

22 asked if you want two or four paw declaws or said they also declaw cats on all four paws.

11 vet clinics do not declaw cats.

1 vet clinic, Loving Care Animal Hospital, we are not sure.

This is the vet clinic of Dr Joanne Carlson, the ISVMA President who is spreading lies and propaganda to the public, the media, and to legislators about declawing. Two employees said that they do not declaw cats but on a recent radio interview with WTAX, Dr Carlson was asked what the long time health impacts for declawing is to cats and she said, “Really there are none if done properly. In general these kitties, often times, in my hands, will be walking the very same day. We take extreme measures for pain control and these kitties often lead full normal active lives.”

If anyone knows if this is a declawing animal hospital, please send us a note at [email protected]

We will keep your information anonymous.

 

 

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The Survey.

The general questioning went like this: The practice was called by one of our researchers who asked for the cost for a neuter/declaw/microchip, which vet was skilled at the procedure, asked if they do them regularly, what vet performs them, and if cats are ok long term after a declaw.

The practices that don’t declaw cats are in green lettering at the end of our story.

We have withheld the names of employees for fear that they might suffer a backlash for their honest answers.

**Some of the veterinary who opposed the bill by filing a witness slip in opposition are also listed.  Their name appears first and then the clinic.

Link to the list on the bill’s page. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/Witnessslip.asp?LegDocId=180412&DocNum=1533&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=143839&GAID=17&SessionID=112&GA=103&SpecSess=&Session=&WSType=OPP

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THE RESULTS

 

1) 2022 President-Elect of the ISVMA.

Dr Nicole Johnson. Pekin Animal Hospital.

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee asked, “Are you wanting to do the front two or all four?” A neuter/2 paw declaw is $363-$498 and a neuter/4 paw declaw is $444-$579. The employee said Dr Nikki (Dr Nicole Johnson) and Dr Simison do their declaws. https://www.pekinanimalhospital.com/our-doctors/

The researcher asked if they do the declaws regularly and they said yes. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes.

2) Vice President of the ISVMA.

Dr Matthew Bussan. Town and Country Animal Hospital.

Dr Matt Bussan also filled out an official witness slip to oppose the anti-declaw bill.

The employee said Dr Matt Bussan is the only doctor who will do the 4 paw declaw. The employee said that a 2 paw declaw/neuter is $640 and a 4 paw declaw/neuter is $730.

Their other doctors, Dr Lindgren, Dr Schertz, Dr Alexander, and Dr Goeckner will do the 2 paw declaws.

Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly, the employee said, “Usually, we don’t get them very often but yes, it’s a routine practice for them.” They can use a laser which is $85 extra. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said you can notice that they stop using the litter box because it’s painful for their feet and they can start using the bathroom around the house. The employee said in their opinion they don’t think it’s worth it “but that’s just me.”

 

3) Past President ISVMA.

Dr Phil Fassler. River Ridge Animal Hospital.

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee asked, “Are you doing just the front declaw or all four?” Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly and the employee said yes.

A two paw is $317 plus the cost of a neuter and a 4 paw declaw is $377 extra.

Researcher asked if they have any vets who are skilled at the declaw and the employee said all their vets are able to do declaws. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after the declaw and the employee said they won’t have their claws and there are many cats that are declawed who live very long lives. The employee said most generally the cats don’t have any issues. They said their laser cauterizes and makes the healing faster.

 

4) Dr Janelle R McFarland and staff with Wags and Whiskers Veterinary Clinic in Elmwood and Williamsfield.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

Link to this screenshot with the 10% off declaws. https://wagsandwhiskersveterinaryservice.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wags-and-whiskers-pricing-sheets-final.pdf

They also have the declaw discount in their Wellness Exam section.  https://wagsandwhiskersveterinaryservice.com/services/wellness-exams/

A facebook post from April 22, 2022 says they are unveiling their new Wellness Plans and then on April 28, 2022 they posted that flyer that says you can get 10% off on declaws if you buy their Wellness Plan. You can find the post by searching “declaw” on their facebook page.

The employee said that Dr Janelle McFarland does their declaws regularly and that a declaw is removing the first joint of a cat’s claws. The employee said that a neuter/2 paw declaw is $263 and a neuter/4 paw declaw is $327. They have to see the cat first for a wellness exam. The researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said, “They are, the younger the cat the better.”

They said the older the cat is they can have a longer healing process, especially if you plan on doing all four paws and it has special care afterwards.

Employee said that Dr McFarland likes to do declaws on cats that are younger than 5 months old but she has done them older but the healing takes longer. The employee said there are usually no long term effects on a declaw. They send the cats home with 3 days of pain meds.

 

5) Dr Alan Whitman and Lori Yoder, office manager. Whitman Veterinary Clinic P.C. in Piper City, IL  (Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

Employee said a declaw/neuter/microchip is $469. Employee said that Dr Whitman and Dr Wright perform declaws regularly with a scalpel. The researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes.

 

6) Countryside Veterinary Services. Taylorville, IL

Link to Countryside Veterinary Services declawing page. taylorvillevet.com/small-animals-2/

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee said, “Were you wanting a four paw or two paw?” A 2 paw declaw/neuter is $285-$575 and a 4 paw declaw/neuter is $320- $600. Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly and the employee said, “We do them on a daily basis.”

Researcher asked how they do them and if the cats are ok long term and the employee said their doctors use the old fashion way, a clipper that clips off the nail and glue them together, it’s painful but they send home pain meds. Researcher asked if they amputate anything and they said, “We go right up to the knuckle and rip them off.”  They said they require pain meds.

7) Dr Roger Clark. Benton, IL.

Dr Clark was recommended many times in this Facebook post from Jan 2022. One of his clients even says, “Clark done both of my cats. Cheapest around and doesn’t ask any questions LOL.”

A Dr Clark neuter/declaw/microchip is $270. Employee said that Dr Clark does around 1 or 2 declaws a week.

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said, “Honestly, with the declaws as long as they’re not too heavy or too old they typically get along ok.” They said the older and the heavier the cat, the harder it is for them. They do not have an age limit and said they will do declaws at any age, they just don’t want them to be heavy.

They don’t send the cats home with any pain meds.

Researcher asked if there are any long term issues after a declaw and the employee said there may be a crazy case where they will hold up a paw for a couple months or forever and said it’s pretty invasive because you are taking the whole toe off. They said a lot of times they will go home and they will act totally ok and and other cats it might just take more time to heal. They said they don’t have a lot of them coming back with issues.

They won’t do 4 paws and said the cats have more trouble. Researcher asked a lot of trouble or a little trouble and the employee said, “Enough trouble to where he stopped doing them.”

 

8)  Formea Animal Hospital, Alton, IL.

Dr Bob Formea was interviewed in this March 10, 2023  Story for the local paper, The Telegraph. Formea told the reporter this, “Formea said that with such a surgical procedure one can leave a little bit of the third phalanx so that the deep flexor tendon is still attached. “Instead of taking the whole thing, get at the right angle and leave a little bit of that farthest bone down there,” he said. “We try to do it that way.” “And, too, we have such good pain relievers,” he said. “We have Buprenex for the cats. We get them good and comfortable, and for the most part, they do really well.”

The declaw method he said he uses is the most mutilating and causes the most negative health effects to a cat. Basically he is leaving part of the bone so the cat has to walk on a rock for the rest of its life.

Here’s a 2017  STUDY showing that shows cats with bone fragments fair worse than those without.

Researcher asked the cost for a declaw with a spay and the employee asked, “Just the front or all four?” A two paw declaw/spay is around $550 and a 4 paw declaw/spay is around $600. The employee said Dr Formea does declaws with a scalpel and goes up to the digit, and does them regularly. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after the declaw and the employee said, “Yea, we haven’t had anybody come in with complaints.”

Researcher asked if most people get the two paw or four paw declaw and the employee said, “It just depends on if they’re going to still be an outside cat or if they are going to stay inside. It’s kind of 50/50. It depends on what you want.”

Researcher asked if he does around 2 declaws a week and the employee said, “He can do a couple a week, it just depends on how many people want to get that scheduled.”

 

 

9) Raymond J Ramirez DVM, Lakeview Veterinary Clinic.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

In the opposition slip on the anti-declaw bill’s website, Dr Ramirez said he is representing, “Veterinarians, Science based animal health.”

A neuter/2 paw declaw is $480. A neuter/4 paw declaw is $652. Researcher asked which vet does the declaws and the employee said, “Both of ours are very apt at doing declaws, we do them by laser.”  Researcher asked if they do them regularly and the employees said, “Yes they do.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes. The employee said they had their cat two paw declawed around the start of this year and she is doing fine.

Researcher asked what do people do the most, the two or four paw declaws and the employee said, “Most of them do the two but we’ve had some do four.”

They said that they send the cats home with liquid pain meds.

 

10) Albion Veterinary clinic.

Dr Donald St Ledger, long time 45 year AVMA member vet, declaws cats and gives no take home pain meds.

Here’s the full story. Long time AVMA vet gives no pain meds after a declaw

 

11) Dr Sarah Smith. Sangamon Avenue Veterinary Clinic. AAHA Accredited Animal Hospital.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)  This is the sister clinic to Coble Animal Hospital #12 in our survey.

A Neuter/declaw/microchip is $938. Researcher asked which vets are skilled at the declaw and the employee said, “Every single one of them does those on a regular basis.” Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said yes that there’s a little bit of a healing time of about 2 weeks but that’s with any surgery and they are taking part of their toes off. They have to wear a cone so they don’t mess with their paws. They said they only do the front paws and most places will only do the front paws because if they get out they can still climb and have some kind of protection.

 12) Coble Animal Hospital in Springfield is the sister animal hospital of Sangamon Animal Hospital.

According to an employee at this animal hospital, Dr Joan Saner Reeder is the veterinarian who does their declaws. She is the wife of Scott Reeder, the reporter who wrote this opinion piece in the Telegraph and the Illinois Times on March 23, 2023 about why he feels declawing should not be banned. https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/when-the-claws-come-out/Content?oid=16614062

https://www.thetelegraph.com/opinion/article/two-groups-animal-lovers-differ-declawing-cats-17851456.php

Dr Sarah Smith of Sangamon Animal Hospital also comes in twice a week for surgeries and also does the declaws.

A spay is around $550 and with a declaw the total could be under $1000. They said that Dr Saner uses the laser for the declaw and said it’s better because it is less painful, it’s more beneficial because the other way could potentially crush the bone fragment, the laser can go through the cartilage rather than going through the bone, the recovery period is much more smooth and quicker. They said the laser is way less invasive and way more comfortable afterwards and they tend to have less side affects.

The employee said that they don’t do declaws every week but Dr Saner has done them and has been a vet for 20 plus years.

Researcher asked if the cats are ok after a declaw and the employee said typically.  The employee said there are pros and cons to a declaw that you can discuss with the vet.

13) Knox Pet Clinic. Galesburg location.

Employee said that they can’t give the cost of the procedures and you need to get it from an exam. They said that they do declaws and have a few doctors who do them, Dr Siever, Dr Swanson, Dr Blackwell, and Dr Schweiter.

Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly and the employee said, “Yea, our doctors do them pretty frequently.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said yes.

14) Knox Pet Clinic. Knoxville, IL location.

Researcher asked for the cost of a spay/declaw and the employee asked, “Is that just a front declaw?”

Employee said a 2 paw declaw/spay is around $418 and a 4 paw declaw/spay is around $448. They said that they have 4 doctors who do the declaws in their Galesburg location.

Researcher asked if they do them regularly and the employee said, “For the most part, it just depends on how many people want declawing. It’s not something they do everyday but they’ve done several of them.” Researcher asked if they do a couple declaws a month and the employee said, “Oh yea, more than that probably.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term from a declaw and the employee said that it depends on young you do them and they try not to declaw any cats that are over 10 lbs because it’s hard on their feet and they said it makes it even worse if you declaw an older cat. They said you want to do a declaw as young as you can and they usually try not to do a declaw until the cat is at least 3 months old and they usually recommend doing a spay around 5 1/2 to 6 months so if people can wait to do the declaw with the spay so that the cat only has to get anesthesia once.

They said that most of the time the cat is ok long term after a declaw but they can’t say 100% because once in awhile the cat might get an infection or start chewing on their foot. They keep the cat bandaged for 24 hrs and then keep them another 24 hrs to observe for any signs of bleeding or problems.

 

15) Teegarden Veterinary Clinic. AAHA Accredited Animal Hospital.

This practice used to be a Cat Friendly Practice. (AAFP banned declawing in their CFP in 2021.) Many declawing clinics stopped being a Cat Friendly Practice so they could keep declawing cats.

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee asked, “ 2 feet or 4 feet?” A 2 paw declaw/neuter is $377 and a 4 paw declaw/neuter is $432.

They said that Dr Jason Kennell does their declaws. Researcher asked if he does declaws regularly and the employee said yes and said, “It’s something that he has done many times and is comfortable with.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok and the employee said yes they don’t typically see any issues after but sometimes cats might have a little bleeding if they are jumping off things they are not supposed to be.

 

16) Northside Veterinary Clinic. Taylorville, IL

Link to Northside Veterinary Clinic’s declawing page. https://www.nsveterinaryclinic.com/surgical-services.html

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee said, “Just the front two paws? They said a neuter/two paw declaw is $275 and a neuter/four paw declaw is $400. They said that they use a laser and it’s not as hard on the cats as a scalpel and said, “A lot of people get recommended to us because we use the laser.” They said Dr Randy Thompson does their laser declaws, he does them regularly and it’s a routine surgery and has been doing them for 37 years so he’s pretty good at it.

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes that 6 months is an appropriate age to get it so there’s minimal bleeding. The cats go home the same day and give an anti-inflammatory.

 

17) Effingham Veterinary Clinic.

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee said, “Are you wanting to just do the front of the claws or all four?” All four declaw is $451 and a two paw declaw is $193.

Researcher asked if they have a surgeon that does their declaws regularly and the employee said, ”We do declaws a lot, all of our doctors know how to do them.”  They use a scalpel.

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said a declaw is taking the claw completely out at the first joint and they recommend the cat is smaller when they get that done because it’s easier on the feet and they are usually good for the rest of their lives. They said some cats develop pain in that area later in their life because the first joint is removed. They mentioned studies that show there can be arthritis.

 

18) St. Petersberg Veterinary Clinic.

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee asked, “Do you just want the front or all four?” A 4 paw declaw/neuter is $400-$450. A 2 paw declaw/neuter is $350-$375.

It’s an additional $65 extra for a laser declaw.

Researcher asked who does their declaws and if they do them regularly. The employee said their 4 doctors are very good at declaws and they have declaws “quite often.” Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes and said their doctors are very good.

 

19) Sesser Animal Hospital.  Sesser, IL

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee said, “Did you want the front paw or the back as well?”  A two paw declaw/neuter is $170 and a 4 paw declaw/neuter is $200. Researcher asked which vets do their declaws and the employee said that all four of their vets are really good and Dr April Spence does them quite frequently with a scalpel. Researcher asked if their vets do declaws quite regularly and the employee said, “Yes we do, we actually had a few this week.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok after a declaw and the employee said, “Absolutely, they are a little sore for a few days which is to be expected.”

They send the cat home with some pain meds.

 

 Dr Brittany Meyer. Country View Veterinary Service clinics.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

20) Country View Veterinary Service, Payson, IL location.

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee said, “Four paw or two paw?”

An all four declaw is $200 and a two paw declaw is $150. They said that both of their vets do the declaws, Dr Meyer and Dr Lohnes.  Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said, “Oh yea.”

Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly and the employee said, “Oh yea, we do them every week.”   They said that within a day or two the cats are back to normal.

21) Country View Veterinary Service,  Barry, IL location.

The employee said that a front declaw is $150 and $200 for a 4 paw. They have two vets who do the declaws regularly and it’s a routine procedure. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said if they are young enough yes but the older ones usually end up with arthritis. They said it’s best to declaw at 2 months.

 

22) Dr Jennifer Anne Creed. Midwest Ragdolls.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

Dr Creed is a veterinarian who has been breeding Ragdoll kittens in Chicago for 20+years. She recommends declawing for cat owners with health issues in her FAQ section. https://midwestragdolls.com/ragdoll-kittens-for-adoption/

 

23) Morgan Butler. Schreiber Veterinary Services.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

The employee said that you have to have a health check first and a neuter is $80-$100 and a declaw is $300 and said Dr Schreiber does their declaws. Researcher asked if they do them regularly and they said it depends, and said, ”We did two this week.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said, “We’ve never had any problems, he’s been doing it for 30 years.”

 

24) Dr Patricia Hoagland. Ottawa Veterinary Hospital.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

Their facebook page has many posts about declawed cats trying to find a new home.

The employee said that Dr Hoagland does their declaws and a neuter/declaw is $205. They said that they don’t do 4 paw declaws. Researcher asked if Dr Hoagland does them regularly and the employee said yes.

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said, “They’re in pain for a while, but they are ok.”

 

25) Dr Nicole DiGiacomo. DuPage Animal Hospital. AAHA Accredited Animal Hospital.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

 

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee said, “Declaw just the front two? Two paws or four paws?”

The said that a 2 paw declaw/neuter $800-$900 and a 4 paw is around $100 extra. They have two doctors that do their declaws. Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly, “Um, yes.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok after a declaw and the employee said, “They should be.”

26) T O Miller Veterinary Clinic, Murphysboro, IL

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee asked, “Are you wanting just the front feet or all feet?”   A 2 paw declaw/spay is $190 and a spay/4 paw declaw is $260.  They said that Dr Landers does the declaws regularly with a laser. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and they employee said, “Yea, a lot of cats here that get a spay sometimes will get their claws done as well, either the front or  front and back.”  They said they go home with pain meds.

 

27) Dr. Shawn M. Costello, Harvard Veterinary Clinic.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

A neuter/declaw/microchip is around $700. The employee said that all their doctors do declaws regularly.

28) Pana Animal Hospital.  

Link to their cat declawing page. https://www.panaanimalhospital.com/general-surgery.pml

The employee said that a 2 paw declaw/neuter is $155 and a 4 paw declaw/neuter is $180 and Dr Tamara Lutz performs them. Researcher asked if she does declaws regularly and the employee said, “Well, whenever someone requests it, yes.” Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and they said yes. The employee said that Dr Lutz declawed her cats and they are fine and have no issues.

 

29) Barnes Animal Hospital.

 A neuter/declaw is $370. They said that Dr Barnes does their declaws. The employee was asked if Dr Barnes does declaws regularly and the employee said yes and said, “We do them often.” Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes. They said that they don’t typically get cats back in with any issues. They do not do 4 paw declaws.

 

30) Griggsville Pittsfield Veterinary Clinic.

 Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee asked, “Just the fronts declawed?”

A four paw declaw/neuter is $120 and a two paw declaw/neuter is $100. The employee said that their vets Dr Wilke and Dr Johnson do their declaws regularly. They said that it’s $50 more to use a laser. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes.

 

31) River Heights Veterinary Hospital. Thrive Pet Healthcare clinic.

 Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee asked, “Front or back for the declaw?”   A four paw declaw is $345.82 and a two paw declaw is $270.

The researcher asked who does their declaws and if they do them regularly. The employee said that all their doctors do declaws and said, “They do them, we don’t get a lot of people that do them.” Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes.

 

Animal Hospital of O Fallon. Two locations.

32) O’Fallon

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee asked, “Two or four paws?”  A spay/2 paw declaw is $650 a spay/4 paw declaw is $779.  They said that Dr Brett Ziegler is the vet who does their declaws. The researcher was asked if he does them regularly and the employee said, “We don’t get a lot of requests for them anymore but he has done a lot of them.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said yes.

33) Fairview Heights.

The employee said that a spay/2 paw declaw is $563.89. They said if you want a four paw declaw you need to discuss that with a doctor.

They said that Dr Ziegler does their declaws with a scalpel. The researcher was asked if Dr Ziegler does declaws regularly and the employee said, “Yes he does, he’s very good at it as well.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said, “Oh absolutely. He’s very meticulous about it.”

When asked if he uses a laser the employee said no he doesn’t believe it in the laser and said, “He takes off only what he absolutely needs to so the pet is most comfortable for the rest of its life.” The employee said, “He does it all the time and very few pets ever have a problem after a declaw.”  Employee was asked how many declaws he does a week and the employee said, “I would say about 2 a month.”

 

 

34) Eastside Animal Hospital. East Peoria, IL

Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee asked, “Were you wanting just the front 2 or the back two as well?”  A spay/2 paw declaw is  $472 and a spay/4 paw declaw is $675. They said that Dr Turnbull does their declaws with a clipper.

They said that they use a local block and said, “It’s kind of like if you were to have a tooth pulled, we are gonna numb the feet before we do the declaw.” They said that way the cat doesn’t feel anything for a day or two after the surgery and they go home on pain meds. 

The researcher was asked if he does them regularly and the employee said, “Yes, we do them quite routinely.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said yes and the way they do it with the blocks and she’s had a lot of experience doing declaws and generally they are ok but there’s always a risk the cat could have an issue after surgery but that’s with any elective surgery and said they have a really good surgical outcome.

 

35) Clyde’s Animal Clinic in Mattoon.

This practice used to be a Cat Friendly Practice. (AAFP banned declawing in their CFP in 2021.) Many declawing clinics stopped being a Cat Friendly Practice so they could keep declawing cats.

The employee said that Dr Clyde does their laser declaws and a two paw declaw is $450- $550. Researcher asked if he does them regularly and the employee said, “Yes, we do quite a few declaws here.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok after a declaw and the employee said typically and at the prep op exam they can go over all the risks and concerns. Researcher asked why they don’t do the 4 paw declaw and the employee said, “We consider it inhumane to remove all the cats claws” and said if it were to get outside it would need some way to protect itself.

The researcher asked if the 2 paw is not inhumane and the employee said, “It is in a way which is why we like to go over all the risks and concerns before the appointment so that you are fully prepared on what to expect later on in life.”   They said the cats can sometimes develop bad arthritis and other tenderness in the paws.

Researcher asked if they see those problems there and the employee said, “Quite often.”

They said that they use a laser which can lessen the risks but they are still there and it does still occur.

 

36) Praire State Veterinary Clinic, Orland Park, IL  

This is a Thrive Pet Healthcare clinic and Thrive allows declawing in their clinics. Here’s our story. https://citythekitty.org/thrive-pet-healthcare-allows-declawing-in-their-practices/

(Nov. 2022 survey info) Employee said that a neuter/declaw is $320. They said that they have 2 female vets who do their declaws, Dr Tassone and Dr Riffice and they said, “We only do the 2 front paws.” When asked if they do declaws regularly the employee said, “Yes they do.”

When asked if a declaw is ok for a cat long term they said yes and that the cats are “totally fine.”

37) Stone Creek Veterinary Clinic.

A neuter/declaw is $270.50. The employee said that Dr Heinrichs does their declaws and they only do the front paws. Researcher asked if Dr Heinrichs does declaws regularly and the employee said he’s done many but said, “I wouldn’t say he does them regularly but he does do them quite a bit a year.” Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after the declaw and the employee said yes, the cats just have to stay overnight. The employee said he mostly uses a clipper to declaw. They said that they give an Onsior injectable before the cat gets the declaw and they usually don’t require take home pain meds but if you feel they need it, you can get them. They said the Onsior usually lasts 24-48 hrs.

 

38) Teal Veterinary Services.  Galatia, IL

Dr James Teal does their declaws.  Researcher asked if the cats are ok after a declaw, “Cats are fine.”

Researcher asked if he does the regularly and the employee said yes, “Just whenever someone wants one done. The other day he did two. ” They said that some people don’t want them because they are cutting down to the bone. Employee said that the doctor will the four paw declaws as long as the cat stays indoors since it can’t defend itself.

Employee put another vet on the phone, Dr Molly Berry and she said that she doesn’t perform declaws.  A two paw is around $300 and a four paw is between $350-$400. She said that Dr Teal “only does all four declaws for very special circumstances because declaws are very invasive and it can cause a lot of long term problems as well.”  Researcher asked if the cats are ok after the declaw and she said that they can get arthritis, pain associated with the site, more severe arthritis, and altered gait has been noticed and that’s why she doesn’t perform declaws. She said they put them on a heavy narcotic and heavy anti-inflammatory after the declaw.

She said there can be behavioral issues where the cats are more apt to bite. She said there are some reasons why she could see it would be necessary but she tries to avoid it if they can.

 

39) Thompsonville Veterinary Clinic.

The employee said a declaw is around $500-$600 and their vet, Dr Kristine Kozak does the declaws with a blade.

Researcher asked if their vets do declaws quite regularly and the employee said, “Yea pretty much.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes. They send the cats home with pain meds.

40) Dr Chris Johnson. Archer Veterinary Clinic.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

The employee said you have to make an appointment and talk to a doctor to get a declaw cost and to talk about the procedure. Researcher asked why and the employee said that a lot of people don’t like declawing anymore so you have to talk to the doctor and have them look at the cat. Researcher asked if the doctor doesn’t like doing declaws and the employee said, “No, it’s people that don’t like doing it.”

Researcher asked, “The doctor likes doing it but people don’t like to do it” and the employee said, “Right.”

Researcher asked if the doctor is ok doing the declaws and the employee said, “Oh God, yes.”

Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly and the employee said yes. The researcher asked if the cats are ok after a declaw and the employee said, “Oh yes, definitely, sure” and there are no problems. The researcher asked if they do one a week and the employee said, “Oh yea, whenever people want it but they have to make an appointment first so the doctor can go over everything with the people.”

 

41) Nicole Swope. Ancare Veterinary Hospital in La Salle.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

This practice used to be a Cat Friendly Practice. (AAFP banned declawing in their CFP in 2021.) Many declawing clinics stopped being a Cat Friendly Practice so they could keep declawing cats.

Link to Ancare Veterinary Hospital’s declawing page. https://www.ancarevet.com/services/cats/declawing

If you search “declaw” on their facebook page it will turn up two declawing posts from 2013, one touting how Dr Dullard declawed a Ragdoll cat from the DVM, Dr Jennifer Creed, listed in our survey who also opposed the bill and breeds Ragdoll cats and recommends declawing.

Link to photos on their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/profile/100063754496823/search?q=declaw

Employee said that they do declaws but need an exam to get the cat’s overall health and then they would schedule the surgery from there. They said that Dr Dullard and Dr Seppanan do their declaws. Researcher asked if the cats are ok after the declaws and the employee said yes. Researcher asked if they do them regularly and the employee said, “I wouldn’t say regularly but they’ve done it often enough that they have plenty of knowledge and experience.”

 

 

42) Dr Reid Zehr. Fairbury Veterinary Hospital.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

The employee said that a neuter/declaw is $480. They said they don’t do 4 paw declaws. They said that their vet, Dr Jackson does their declaws. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term, the employee said they recover well from surgery but said, “I would let you do your own research on that.” Researcher asked if Dr Jackson does declaws regularly and the employee said, “Yes she does.”

 

43) Shawn Costello, Harvard Veterinary Clinic.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

Link to this routine declawing page. https://harvardveterinaryclinic.com/veterinary-services/

A neuter/declaw/microchip is around $700. The employee said that all their doctors do declaws regularly.

 

44) Lena Veterinary Clinic.

Link to Lena Veterinary Clinic’s laser declaw page. https://www.lenavetclinic.com/small-animal.html

A neuter/declaw is $355. They don’t do the 4 paw declaws. They said that all their doctors do declaws and they do them on a regular basis and use a laser. They said that the cats do fine long term after the declaw. They said the cats go home with some pain meds.

45) Assumption Veterinary Clinic.

The employee said that a neuter/declaw is $493.50. They said that they try to avoid doing the back paws. They said that Dr Devan Fordham does their declaws.

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said yes. Researchers asked if she does the declaws regularly and the employee said yes.

The employee put the manager on the phone and they said that you have to get a consult first before a declaw because declaws are shown to have some serious side effects on cats long term, some don’t have any and some do. The manager said that Illinois is actually debating now to make declawing illegal and the researcher asked if that means people have to get a declaw done soon and the manager said if you want to have that done that would be the way to go.

They said their doctor does not recommend declawing cats and that’s why they have the consultation first to go over why they don’t recommend it and only if it’s necessary in the household. They said that you are cutting off the first knuckle bone and that can lead to some issues later on in life like arthritis. They said that their doctor used to do declaws regularly and she’s trying to slow down on doing them because she doesn’t like doing that for cat unless it’s necessary. Researcher asked why she doesn’t like doing them and the manager said because it’s hard on the cat and you’re cutting off the whole knuckle and it can lead to crippling and arthritis. Researcher asked if she doesn’t like doing them why doesn’t she stop and the manager said that the only reason she still does them is in case people will turn to leaving the cat out on the street or take away their home.

 

46) Capital Illini Veterinary Services. Chatham, IL. AAHA Accredited Animal Hospital.

This practice used to be a Cat Friendly Practice. (AAFP banned declawing in their Cat Friendly Practices in 2021.)

Many declawing clinics stopped being a Cat Friendly Practice so they could keep declawing cats.

This clinic still says they are a Cat Friendly Practice on their website but AAFP does not list them as a Cat Friendly Practice on their site. https://www.capitolillinivet.com/service/cat-friendly-certified-care/

The employee said, “We don’t do declawing anymore because we don’t have the laser machine and we only do amputation we’re kind of getting away from that as well. “

They suggested Laketown and said, “They do the laser removal declaw.”

The employee said, “Generally we only do it if there are medical issues in the house or if the cat is completely destroying everything.”

Researcher asked if declawing is bad for a cat and the employee said, “Yea, it’s just painful and the recovery can be very difficult.” The employee talked about other alternatives like nail clipping and nail caps.

A declaw is $230. A neuter/declaw is $970. They use a scalpel.

Researcher asked if the cats are ok after their declaws and the employee said, “Generally speaking, it’s an open wound. They stay overnight with bandages on.” They said they send the cats home with pain meds and it’s kind of a rougher recovery because it’s a healing wound.

 

47) Laketown Animal Hospital. Springfield, IL. AAHA ACCREDITED ANIMAL HOSPITAL.

Link to Laketown Animal Hospital’s declawing info page. www.laketownanimalhospital.com/surgery

The employee said that Dr Bret Peterson does declaws regularly. They said that they use a laser and it’s better for the pet. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said, “Every pet is different so I can’t guarantee how they are going to behave afterwards.” They said they’ve had cats with no problems previously.

48) Village Veterinary Practice. Clarendon Hills.

 The employee said that all their doctors do declaws, it’s painful, they have bandages on while they are with them overnight, and they go home with pain meds. Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly and the employee said yes and said that it is not an uncommon procedure but then said that they don’t do them that often and try to deter owners from doing them ask much as they can.

They said because it’s a painful procedure by removing the nail all the way to the bone and they try other alternatives and that’s the “nicer thing to do” and they try not to put cats through that if they don’t have to. Researcher asked if their doctors don’t like doing declaws and the employee said, “Right, yea, but we will do it if the owner really it done but we try to do all the other methods first.”

 

49)  Northgate Pet Clinic. Decatur, IL   This is an National Veterinary Associates (NVA)  Clinic.  This is an AAHA Accredited Animal Hospital.

NVA told us on November 28, 2022 this,  “We are proud to share NVA has adopted a stance very similar to the German law you originally cited when you reached out to NVA earlier this year. We do not support elective declawing and it should not be performed. We communicated this to our hospitals.”  (The German law only allows declawing for the health of the cat like a tumor or injury.) NVA deceived us to believe that they stopped declawing. Many NVA clinics are still declawing cats. Here’s our story.

The vet at this clinic, Dr Larry Baker, is in this Feb. 3, 2023 TV interview about the anti-declawing bill in Illinois.

Here’s an excerpt from the story, “One veterinarian said that it is mainly because their cat could be tearing up their furniture and scratching. Larry Baker of the Northgate Pet Clinic said that would be one of the benefits to doing the procedure.”

However, he said that the surgery is not performed often and can cause the animal some discomfort afterwards.

Baker said that, overall, he would not encourage people to declaw their cats.

“The best reason to declaw a cat is an owner that likes their cat, gets along with the family well, is they’re ruining the furniture and the owner says, ‘I’m going to have to get rid of that cat or have him declawed,’” Baker said. “Then to me there’s no question about it. I would declaw rather than get rid of the cat.”

Their employee said they have some vets who will do a declaw but you need a consultation with the doctor to get a cost of a declaw.

 

50) Naperville Animal Hospital.

This practice used to be a Cat Friendly Practice. (AAFP banned declawing in their CFP in 2021.) Many declawing clinics stopped being a Cat Friendly Practice so they could keep declawing cats.

They said that a neuter/declaw is $738. They only have one vet who does the declaws, Dr Amanda Mirabella and you need a consult with her before the declaw because declawing is not something they recommend.

Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly and the employee said, “It isn’t something we do often because we try to dissuade people from declawing their cats.”

Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said it can cause physical and psychological trauma to the cat. They said that declawing has lead to behavioral issues.

51) VCA Klingele Veterinary Clinic, Quincy, IL.  AAHA Accredited Animal Hospital

VCA BANNED DECLAWING IN 2020 AND THEY DO NOT ALLOW DECLAWING UNLESS IT’S FOR A MEDICAL REASON FOR THE CAT.

In 2020 VCA told all their clinics, “At the core is our firm belief that we must always do the right thing for our patients and we can no longer support declaw procedures in cats unless there is a medical reason to perform the procedure. Examples include neoplasia, infection, and trauma.”

Did this VCA misinterpret their position or are they making their own rules?

Here’s VCA’s full declawing position. https://citythekitty.org/vca-animal-hospitals-stopped-declawing/

The technician said that they only declaw cats if it’s medically necessary from a doctor and they don’t do it as a cosmetic surgery. They said that if you have a bleeding disorder or immune compromised person then they will do it.

The tech said that they don’t do declaws that often anymore because VCA doesn’t really condone declawing and they only let them do them if it’s medically necessary.

They said that their vet, Dr Jeanie Spooner does their declaws. Dr Spooner is listed as a Fear Free Veterinarian on FearFreePets.com page.

Fear Free does not allow their veterinarians to declaw cats.

 

Screenshot from FearFreePets.com on March 29, 2023.

 

 

52) Village Veterinary Practice, Western Springs.

 The employee said they only do the front declaws and they don’t do them regularly and they haven’t had to do one for some time because declaws aren’t requested frequently by clients. The researcher asked if it’s bad for a cat, the employee said it depends on your preference but typically it could be painful because it’s removing the first knuckle, but it’s 45) always your choice. Researcher asked if the doctors like doing declaws, the employee said it’s whatever the client would like to do, the doctor’s opinion does not take precedence over your choice.

 

53) Burr Ridge Veterinary Clinic.

A neuter/declaw is $600-700 and the cat has to stay two days.

 

Ashton Animal Clinic. Two locations.

54) Ashton, IL

 They aren’t taking new clients but said that a neuter/declaw/microchip is $500-$500. They said they highly recommend not doing declaws but they will do them.

 55) Kanesville, IL.

 Researcher asked for the cost of a declaw and the employee said, “Do you just want the fronts done or all four feet?”   A 2 paw declaw/neuter is $455 and a 4 paw declaw/neuter is around $500.   They said Dr Linda Gould does their declaws and she’s done plenty of them. They said they don’t recommend a declaw, asked if you have tried other options, they do them as a last resort, and basically it’s cutting off the tip of their fingers. If you have tried all other options and you are going to get rid of your cat or euthanize them vs doing a declaw, they said they will do the declaw. Researcher asked if their doctor likes doing declaws and they said they don’t think she minds doing them.

 

56) Dr Melissa Davis. Canton Veterinary Clinic.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

Link to declawing info. https://www.cantonveterinaryclinicil.com/services/cats

The employee said their declaws are case by case basis and the doctor would have to give a cost estimate and the doctor would have to meet the patient first because the declaws are based on their weight and age. They said that Dr Davis does their declaws and said she does about one every 3 to 4 months. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term and the employee said yes.

 

 

57) Bellemore Animal Hospital.

A neuter/declaw is $355. They only do the front paws. They said that Dr Fischer does their declaws. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and they said yes. Researcher asked if she does them regularly and the employee said yes. They said that she can use a scalpel or a laser for the declaw.

58) Countryside Veterinary Clinic. Albion, IL

Neuter/declaw $143. They don’t do 4 paw declaws. The employee said that their vet, Dr Emily Smith, does the declaws. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term, the employee said yes and that they had one of their cats declawed by Dr Emily and their cat hasn’t had any issues. Researcher asked if they do declaws regularly and the employee said they don’t do them very often since not that many people like to get declaws done but whenever she does the neuters she also does the claws too so they are asleep and don’t feel anything.

 

 

59) Meller and James & Associates Veterinary Service.

 They said that they aren’t taking in new clients. They said that all their doctors do declaws and it’s up to the clients discretion if they want it done.

 

60) Dr Alexis Brandes. Partners and Paws Veterinary Service.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

They aren’t taking any new patients but they do declaws.

61) Crest Hill Animal Hospital. Dr Brandy Saubert, (NVA) National Veterinary Associates Medical Advisory Board veterinarian. Crest Hill, IL

December 2022. The employee said that they only do the two paw declaw and it costs $460.  They said that you can do a neuter/declaw together the day of the appointment and you can just drop the cat off in the morning for the procedures. When asked if the cats are ok long term from a declaw they said yes and asked if their doctors do declaws regularly the employee said yes.

Another employee only a couple of their vets do declaws and they are Dr Brandy Saubert and Dr Katie Aksami. When asked if they do the declaw procedures regularly the employee said yes. They said a spay $342 and front declaw is $461. They said that you can make an appointment drop the cat off first thing in the morning between 7-8 am. The employee said, “We use the laser for the declaw procedure so it’s a lot easier on the kitty.”  They said it’s quicker healing and they are moving around real quick.

Here’s the full story about how NVA said they were ending declawing in their clinics but deceived us.  (NAV is the biggest veterinary group company in America with over 1000 practices.) https://citythekitty.org/did-the-declawing-veterinarian-on-nvas-medical-advisory-board-make-nvas-declawing-policy/

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62) Past President of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Kristin Plomin. Hinsdale Animal Hospital.

They said that you need a consult for the declaw and then they can schedule the procedure. They said that all their doctors can do the declaws and are great in surgery. They said that they don’t see a lot of declaws because they are strongly not recommended because it’s very painful for the cat and they don’t recommend them but all their vets have done them. Researcher asked if the cats are ok long term after a declaw and the employee said, “No it’s very painful long term” and said that they will do them but will talk to the clients about all the side effects from getting them declawed.

 

Veterinarians from the University of Illinois veterinary college who filled out an opposition slip for the anti-declawing bill.

Jiajie Jessica Xu manages the veterinary care, health, and welfare of research animals in the Beckman Institute and Psychology research facilities. Xu collaborates with researchers on animal projects, and she serves as a voting member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.   https://animalcare.illinois.edu/staff/jessica-xu

Sarah Allison Associate Director, Division of Animal Resources, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine. Division of Animal Resources

Lauren Forsythe,  Pharmacy Coordinator, Dept. of Veterinary Clinical Medicine.

 

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Here’s a post in January 2022 from a cat owner who is looking for recommendations for a declaw.

Some of the vets recommended are in our survey.

Dr Clark is number 7.  Thompsonville vet is 31.  Dr Teal is 30. Spence and Spence at Sesser is 15.

 

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Here are the vet clinics we found that do not declaw cats.

 

63) Five Star Veterinary Center. Springfield, IL

The ISVMA’s veterinarian who testified in the hearing, Dr Dena Nelson, sold her clinic, All Cat Clinic, to 2 veterinarians and it’s been renamed Five Star Veterinary Center in Springfield. Here’s a story about this. https://springfieldbusinessjournal.com/2022/03/all-cat-clinic-sold-rebranding-with-new-name-and-focus/

According to an employee at this clinic they do not perform declawing.

The researcher asked why they don’t declaw and the employee said, “Just the standard of care that we do not do here.”

Researcher asked if a declaw is bad for a cat and they said, “It’s not great.” Researcher asked why not and the employee paused and said, “I’m not at liberty to give that information, it’s just not something that we do.”

 

64) President of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Marina Lynn Jaworsky.

Green Tree Animal Hospital.

The employee said that they don’t declaw cats. Researcher asked why they don’t declaw and the employee said it’s not recommended and their doctors don’t do them, it’s super painful, it’s pulling all their nails out, and they talked about the humane alternatives like nail covers and more cat scratchers.

 

65) Downers Grove Animal Hospital. Cat Friendly Practice.

They said that they stopped doing declaws last year, they said that many clinics don’t do declaws anymore, and said they are a Cat Friendly Clinic and they don’t feel that declawing is very friendly to them. They said there are other ways to help cats with their scratching, people have a misconception that they must be declawed because they are going to live in a home, but there are other ways cats can keep their claws and be happy and everyone lives together nicely.

 

68) Spears Animal Hospital, Carbondale, IL

The employee said they do not declaw cats.

 

 69) Harvester Veterinary Clinic.

The employee said that they don’t do declaws and it’s not recommended for a cat.

They said if that’s a service that you want, you can try Archer Veterinary Clinic for the declaw.

 

70) Rhiannon Ardisana . Stateline Hillcrest Animal Hospital. Villa Park, IL. AAHA Accredited Animal Hospital.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

The employee said that none of their doctors will declaw cats and said it’s pretty hard on a cat.

 

71) Winding Creek Animal Hospital.

They do not declaw cats anymore. They said it’s very painful.

72) Dr Nancy Hayes. Owner of Whitney Veterinary Hospital which is an AAHA Accredited Animal Hospital.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

The employee said that they don’t declaw cats because of all the problems it causes like physical problems because it’s removing their entire first knuckle, it’s very painful, causes painful recoveries, it causes a lot of behavioral problems later in life. They said they are AAHA and AAHA doesn’t recommend declawing so to be accredited by AAHA they can’t do declaws. They said a lot of clinics are going away from declawing.

73) Pet Wellness Center of South Illinois.

 They said they don’t declaw anymore because they are AAHA Accredited and Feline Friendly Practice. Researcher asked if it’s bad for a cat and the employee said yes.

74) Dr Kate Brucker, Albin Animal Hospital. Mattoon, IL.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

https://www.albinanimalhospital.com/about-us/meet-the-doctors.html

The employee said that they do not declaw cats. Researcher asked why they don’t declaw and they said, “Because we’ve had a lot of behavioral issues with it and you’re cutting off to the first knuckle.” Researcher asked if it’s bad for a cat and the employee said, “Yes, it’s bad for a cat.”

 

75) Dr Charles Benson. Indian Prairie Animal Hospital. AAHA hospital.

(Filed a witness slip to oppose the bill.)

https://www.ipahvet.com/meet-our-team/

The employee said that they do not declaw cats.

 

 

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***It’s important to note that the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA) has many resources on animal health and welfare on their website but not one thing about declawing or about the humane alternatives like sturdy scratching posts, scratching pads, nail trims, deterrents like double sided tape or Feliway, Soft Paws, etc.  The only cat related links they have in their Client Education section are Cat Fanciers Association and Radio Cat about hyperthyroidism. https://www.isvma.org/client-education/

For instance, here are some valuable resources for cat owners about declawing and the humane alternatives.

Feline Practitioners Info

 

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DECLAWING STUDIES SHOWING THAT IT CAUSES BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

Scientific research has found that declawing has many short    and long-term consequences for cats. There are nearly 100 studies on the subject; here are just a few:

 

1. A 2017 study^[1] found that, compared to clawed cats, declawed cats were:

• Three times more likely to have back pain.
• Seven times more likely to house-soil (urinate or defecate outside the litter box).
• Four and a half times more likely to bite.
• Three times more likely to be aggressive.
• Three times more likely to “barber” (excessively lick or pull out their

fur—a common reaction when a cat feels stressed).

2. A 2016 study^[2] of the link between declawing and house-soiling reported that declawing made that behavior more likely.
3. A 2015 report^[3] cites “postsurgical conditions that cause pain or discomfort while urinating or defecating, such as onychectomy [declawing]” as a medical cause of housesoiling.
4. A 2000 survey^[4] documented that 33% of cats developed behavior problems (house soiling or biting) after being declawed.

 

^[1] Martell-Moran NK, Solano M, Townsend HG. Pain and adverse behavior in declawed cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. First published 2017 May 23.

^[2] Gerard AF, Larson M, Baldwin CJ. Telephone survey to investigate relationships between onychectomy or onychectomy technique and house soiling in cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2016 Sept 15; 249(6): 638-642.

^[3] Curtis TE. Feline inappropriate urination. North American Veterinary Conference Institute: Today’s Veterinary Practice. 2015 Sept/Oct.

^[4]  Yeon SC, Flanders JA, Scarlett JM, et al. Attitudes of owners regarding tendonectomy and onychectomy in cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2001;218:43-47.

^[5] Lockhart LE, Motsinger-Reif AA, Simpson WM, et al. Prevalence of onychectomy in cats presented for veterinary care near Raleigh, NC and educational attitudes toward the procedure. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 2014;41:48–53.

^[6] Mills KE, von Keyserlingk MAG, Niel L. A review of medically unnecessary surgeries in dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2016 Jan;248(2):162-171.

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March 11, 2023.

The ISVMA put out this flyer that has so many blatant lies on it. Here are all the facts vs myths and our story shows how many of their statements in this flyer are completely false. https://citythekitty.org/declawing-facts-vs-myths-humane-options/