Feline de-claw is an operation performed to eliminate destructive clawing of indoor furniture or to eliminate injury by an aggressive cat. It is recommended for indoor cats only, since it removes a primary source of protection.
Instinctive "claw sharpening" is common in cats, and most cats are difficult to train to use a sharpening post exclusively.
Dr. Bleish has over 25 years of experience doing de-claw surgeries. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia with pain medicine given pre- and post-operatively. Only the front claws are removed.
It is an ideal application for laser surgery, which reduces bleeding, swelling, and pain. The surgery is best performed at 4 months of age, when the animal will experience minimal discomfort. With the laser, even adult cats can be done with few problems.
As with all surgeries, we recommend a pre-anesthetic blood testing screening.
We normally schedule de-claw surgeries on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but other arrangements can sometimes be made if necessary. Some customers find that when their pet is boarding with us, it is a good time to have their cat de-clawed.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a pre-surgical examination for your pet, please contact our office at (816) 741-8338.