Laser Declawing Service
Laser Declawing
Onychectomy is the technical term for declaw, and it is the removal of the first digit of the “toe”. This is only done in indoor cats, preferably between 4 and 6 months, or 4 and 10 lbs. Older cats are not recommended to be declawed due to a more developed anatomy, as well as high risk of phantom pain after surgery. Larger cats are not recommended to be declawed due to higher risk of hemorrhage. All the pre-surgical recommendations for other surgeries apply for declaw surgery.
How it is done?
At All Creatures, we take the comfort of our patients very seriously. All cats are pre-medicated with pain relief approximately 30 minutes pre-operation, and after induction of general anesthesia, a local analgesic will be injected into the feet to numb the nerves. Our surgeon uses the laser machine to remove the “toes” and a drop of tissue glue is placed to oppose the incision. Pressure bandage is then applied overnight, and removed early in the morning. The patient is given an oral dose of anti-inflammatory/pain relief in the evening. Patient is discharged the next day with some oral pain relief as well as a bag of paper litter. Wounds heal within 7-10 days after surgery, and paper litter should be used at all times until then.
2-paw and 4-paw declaw can be done individually, or at the time of spay or castration. 4-paw declaw is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. In case a 4-paw declaw is done at spay or castration, a patient will be sent home with prophylactic antibiotic at owner’s cost.