How long does it take for a cat to heal after declawing?

[1234]

First I'd like to ask that everyone keep their opinions out of their answers, please. I've already had it done and feel completely guilty about it, but my cats are stubborn and were ruining every piece of furniture in the house.



SO, one of my cats had to wear a cone collar because she wouldn't stop licking/chewing at her paws. I just took it off because she just looked completely miserable.

My question is, are there stitches in her paws? And if so, do I need to put the collar back on? She's started to chew/lick them again. I would imagine she's just cleaning her paws, but I just wanted to double check.



Thanks in advance :)

Here's the thing..

they didn't come home with cone collars or bandages. We got the collar because we thought it best to keep her from licking.

Sachinha, unless you are a cat yourself, you have no idea what a cat is feeling. So stfu, please. Thanks.

I already said I feel guilty about it, and what's done is done.

Also, please do not criticize my "training" abilities when you don't even know me or what I've done for my cats.

My. Cats. Are. Stubborn.

And just in case you have noticed, the economy is pretty bad right now...I can't afford to go out and buy a new sofa every two months because they want to use it as a scratching post.

Don't criticize me without having adequate support, you d*uche.

Ocimom, thanks for your mostly unbiased answer...I wish I had researched it a little more too, although I probably would've done it anyway.

I'm not too worried about their personalities; if anything, they've seemed way more affectionate since having it done!

I would never drop them at a shelter, though. That's just wrong.

Okay Sach, I understand that you think you're Dr. Doolittle. Get over it.

I won't even get into the comment about how I'm stupid; you have no idea who I am, whether I'm a hick in the woods or an intellectual with an incredibly smart family. (I'm sure you can guess which one I am.)

It's the choice of the owner whether or not to declaw.

We did talk to the vet. Our vet seemed pretty alright with it. Our vet actually asked if we wanted ALL the claws out (we only did the front two; back claws seem really wrong to take out)..



So since you're such an animal expert, could you please just answer my question? (This is Yahoo!Answers after all, not Yahoo!Lets Attack Strangers For Their Personal Choices.) Should I put the cone collar back on or not? I've called the vet dozens of times asking if it's okay, and they say yes. I just wanted to get a second opinion.

Blue Diamond is getting best answer as soon as I can choose.



I'm not even going to get into it, though. It's not worth it, fighting a fight you can't win.

Back off; they're my cats.

Sach, I apologize for calling you a d*ouche. When I'm angry, I tend to say things without thinking. Do forgive me for that.



I just don't understand how all of you can be so close-minded about other's opinions, and be so rude about it in the process. Maybe you guys just don't realize how truly mean-spirited your answers are, especially when I just asked a simple question about a cone collar!

[lizw368]

she may be cleaning, but cat mouths are VERY full of bacteria, the cone and bandages were probably there for a reason. She wants to lick because she is very very uncomfortable and that is what cats do. Stitches or no, if it isn't healed she is licking open or partially open wounds, unless the vet says it is okay it probably isn't.

[Sachinha]

Stubborn or you're just a bad trainer?

This isn't an opinion, this is a fact.
First of all, cats CAN be trained.
Secondly, declawing a cat is a terrifying and painful experience. Not only physically but emotionally as well.
They have no way of defending themselves. Even if there is no danger, they will still get depressed over this.

Lastly, You don't know if she has stitches?
Don't you think you should have asked the vet?
Especially concerning the after care of all of this?
You have spoken to a pet trainer before you committed such an act. End of story

*NEW COMMENT*

k, you're obviously not very bright.

SCIENTIFIC FACT
CATS FEEL PAIN
I repeat
IT HAS BEEN PROVEN BY SCIENTIFIC FACT THAT CATS FEEL PAIN.
ESPECIALLY AFTER DECLAWING
Does the word SCIENCE mean anything to you?

Secondly, here's another fact for you
CATS CAN BE TRAINED.

You didn't do it properly, obviously, or else they would have stopped. Did you do ANY research about cat behavior or possible alternatives before declawing them?
Did you personally consult a pet trainer?
lmao. You didn't even know if your cat got stitches. Did you even spend 5 minutes speaking to the vet concerning the after care?
Did you even research how they remove the claws? Possible complications?"The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights is opposed to cosmetic surgeries and to those performed to correct 'vices.' Declawing generally is unacceptable because the suffering and disfigurement it causes is not offset by any benefits to the cat. Declawing is done strictly to provide convenience for people. The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR)

Some veterinarians have argued that some people would have their cats killed if declawing was not an option. We should not, however, allow ourselves to taken 'emotional hostage' like this. If a person really would kill her or his cat in this case, it is reasonable to question the suitability of that person as a feline guardian, especially when there are millions of non-declawed cats living in harmony with people."

FROM THE ASPCA
"Should You Declaw Your Cat?
Some people declaw their cats to prevent or resolve a scratching problem. The term ?declaw? is a misnomer. It implies that declawing only involves the removal of a cat?s claws. In reality, declawing involves amputating the end of a cat?s toes. Cats suffer significant pain while recovering from declawing. An alternative surgery, a tendonectomy, severs the tendons in a cat?s toes so that she?s unable to extend her nails to scratch. This procedure may or may not cause less pain. However, if you choose this type of surgery, you must clip your cat?s nails regularly because she?ll be unable to maintain them herself..."

Answer me those questions. Go ahead


******
Put the collar on.
A person who is intelligent researches when they're ignorant about a particular topic.
You failed to do so. Just admit you made a mistake.

Some vets would rather see the money from that operation and tell you there's nothing wrong with it than tell you the truth.

[Ocimom118]

Your cats are totally confused as to why their feet feel different. And you may or may not have that problem the rest of the cats life. The cat doesn't have "stitches" - its probably GLUED together.

I've seen declawed cats years later sit and chew at their feet. I have no idea what is going on in their minds, but psychologically its probably not good.

I'm sorry you didn't try harder before you chose this option. And I do hope you will not dump your cats in the shelters when they start peeing in other places or biting more.

There is no real answer as to how long to heal - as you have both mental and physical issues and that could involve a few weeks to a lifetime!

[CafMochaValencia915216]

You can't afford new furniture but you certainly were able to afford declawing your cats? Funny.

Some cats NEVER recover from declawing. Every step they take is with pain. They often are so traumatized psychologically that their personalities permanently change. They also very often become biters because they have no other defense. I wonder how long it will be till your cats are dumped at a shelter because they start peeing on things or biting you or others?

I'm with those that think this was a very cruel and selfish thing for you to do to them. Did you ever try just TRIMMING the nails? With all the cats I've had over the years AND the nice furniture I've had I fail to believe that your cats were just SO untrainable that severing the first joint of every toe was the solution. You did so because you care more about your furniture than you do the well being of a living, breathing being.

I find it very rude - and unwarranted - for you to be telling people to "STFU". We're not the ones that selfishly mutilated our pet - YOU are. And if you didn't want the people on here, unlike you, that respect cats to comment on how horrible declawing is, then you shouldn't have posted this question. What did you expect? For all of us to applaud you? Sorry - we're VERY different people than you are.

[Claire490045]

Don't come on here and tell the cat section, they can't have their opinion, if you had researched declawing beforehand then you wouldn't have to ask this question, because no loving owner in there right mind would declaw a cat knowing what it involves, as for your sofa, you should know when you get a cat you are more than likely to get scratch marks on your sofa, my suggestion would be you should have accepted this before you got the cat's and got throws to go over your sofa to protect it and cover the marks up. you say your cat is more affectionate since having it done, they are probably in pain and crying out to you for comfort, you say you are not too woried about their personalities?? strange for a supposed cat lover!

In answer to your question, put the collar back on them, otherwise they will bite the stitches out and have to go back to the vet to have them put back in or worse be treated for infection, which will mean more pain for them. yes your cat's will be miserable with it on, i'm sure they will be miserable without her claws too, but nothing can be done about that now..poor mites!!

Don't even bother coming back at me with an answer, i don't want to hear it, don't bother reporting me either, i will return the favour for calling posters a D*uche!! I could go on but I won't bother.

[MJF581]

As you asked, I'll keep my opinions out of my answer - I tend to agree with the other posters on those.
Because this is a painful prodedure, the cat will naturally want to lick at the wounds. You're best to keep the collar on the cat for perhaps a week until they start to heal over. You will also need to exchange the litter in their tray for something like shredded paper that isn't going to aggravate the pain.
Make sure you take the cats back for checkups when advised by the vet and keep an eye on them in the next few months too - if you notice any signs of the cats feeling pain in the paws, they need to go back. Sometimes the bone that's removed in the procedure starts to grow another claw, but not of the normal form because of the damage during surgery, and this causes immense pain to the cat and needs to be addressed.
You may also find that the cats act as though their paws are painful long after they should have healed. This is what is known as "phantom limb syndrome" and is caused by nerve damage. The cat's perception is that their paws are very painful even though they have healed. This can be tough to treat and sometimes the feeling of pain is permanent. One of the biggest issues with cats being declawed is their reluctance to use their litter trays. Once the cat experiences pain in the tray, it may never use it again. Figures show that 80% of declawed cats that end up in shelters are there because they have abandoned their litter trays, and have used soft furnishings instead - including carpets, rugs, beds and sofas. If you are not to end up in the same situation of having your sofa ruined, you will need to watch out for this as it's a very common problem.
I hope they dont' develop any lasting problems and that it goes smoothly.
Good luck to your cats.

[BlueDiamond747]

My cats are declawed. It only took them about 3-4 days before they were themselves. I don't think there are stitches, my vet uses a surgical glue. My cats have never had a cone, and have done just fine. As long as they aren't broken open and bleeding, I would think it should be fine without. It is also good to use a different litter like Yesterday's News during the healing time, which the vet said was about 2 weeks.

I had mine neutered and declawed at the same time. My cats received pain meds at the time of surgery as well. They had bandages on them until the following day. I could have left them on longer but the bandage seemed to upset them. Once the bandage was off, they were MUCH happier. I personally do not endorse declawing but my husbnd won't allow them in the house if it's not done. Here is how I feel about declawing: So many cats are destroyed for lack of home each year. Which is better? A cat to lose its claws or lose its life? A great many people comment how well cared for and spoiled my cats are. My cats are indoor only cats, and although declawing is not ideal, they have done well. One passed away at 18 yrs, another is currently 16 yrs (most people don't believe it), and another is 2 yrs old.

[SarahA841]

okay then instead of saying stupid things like "i cant get a new sofa every month!" just go to walmart and buy a 2 dollar bottle of lemon scented spray. they dont like the smell of lemon or orange so therefore they wont claw the furniture. Plus, declawing HURTS the cats. no im not saying im a cat and blah blah blah those stupid excuse you put. I have been around cats all my life which tends to make me more sensitive to how a cat is feeling or what it is feeling. you know what declawing would be to a person? cutting off the part of your fingers and toes with the nails. how would u feel if somebody came and did that to you? also, if you care more about your "precious" furniture than a living breathing cat's feelings, you should have never gotten a cat in the first place. me, along with many others, hate seeing any animal in pain. So if you do get another cat, do it a favor, dont declaw it. It really does hurt them and declawing can turn them into a cat that bites, like someone else said. Normally if a cat gets agitated they will use their claws to warn you to stop whatever you are doing that was making it uncomfortable. but if a cat is declawed, it cant do that, so it will go straight to biting and if you do get your cat declawed, it puts it through a lot of pain and suffering im sorry if this makes you more mad but you need to listen to the truth to learn also, if you thought it was wrong to take back claws out... i dont even understand that so its front claws are apparently less important i see? NO they need ALL their claws or else they wouldnt have any in the first place did you ever think about that?

[Danielle627]

Declawing is great. We treat our kids exactly the same. I mean, when a kid keeps on messing up your furniture and walls by drawing, or smearing paint, staining with juice or just being messy, we cut off the end of their fingertips too, don't we?

What..? You mean... WE DONT?? What's that I hear you say? Cutting off a child's fingertips for this reason - or any reason - would be abusive?

What if I say 'Back off, it's my child' after I've done it? Does that mean I can get away with it, and it's automatically not abuse? Huh? NO??? What do you mean that even though it's 'my child', cutting off it's fingertips is STILL WRONG and people will STILL GET INVOLVED and RIGHTFULLY SHOULD?

=O!!!!

See where I'm going with this? You've done a terrible thing. You're an uneducated disgrace, and nothing will change that. Declawing isn't matter of opinion, sweetie, it's FACT that it's wrong and abusive. It's ILLEGAL where I live, and NO VET who cared about cats would perform declawing operations in the USA. NEVER trust a vet who will. And NEVER trust an owner who will get their cats declawed.

Look at you, trying to excuse it, saying 'They're my cats! This is my opinion!' - like that means ANYTHING. It doesn't matter if they're *your* cats, it's still abuse and it's still wrong. If you declaw, you shouldn't own cats! It doesn't matter what your opinion is, because it doesn't change the fact that declawing is mutilation, abuse, and NEVER EVER needed.