Reptile & Amphibian Forums

>>Daughter's cat is a polydactyl with five toes on one back foot. Yesterday she caught and tore the dew claw. (We don't know how.) So she is on antibiotics with a "wait and see".
>>Since this isn't the first time, maybe it's time to bite the bullet and have it removed.

Sometimes it is necessary to remove the extra claw. It's also necessary to make sure these claws are trimmed on a regular basis. There have been instances where the claw actualy grew into the flesh and caused the cat a great deal of discomfort.
Snagging and tearing a claw can happen to any cat really....it happened to one of mine and she's is not polydactyl. So speak to the vet and see what he/she recommends before making a decision.
-----
Dottie
Proudly owned by The Catnip Crew...Munchkin,Casey,Maddie,Harley,Meadow,Ashley,Nicky and Mushka

She's used to having her claws trimmed. They are done every week or two. The vet was pleased last checkup because the quick is so nicely back from the tip of the claw.
All of our cats and all of the foster kits (except the foster feral) are used to having claws trimmed. We start them at about a month and continue every couple of weeks until they are adopted. We let their new hoomins know that they are used to it and to continue trimming.

Keeping the ones that can't be sharpened because of their position or that could get caught on things easily trimmed extra short is all you can do.

If you are considering removing the claw, I do hope you mean just the one that's causing the problem and not all of them?

Just that particular claw would come off (it it's still there). Right now, we're monitoring her for any sign of infection. If it gets infected, it's straight to the vet. Until then, there is nothing a vet can do, so she's confined to one room with her food, water, litter, and toys. She's moving around well and is grooming the foot and big toe claw area.
I actually doubt that she pulled out more than the external part of the claw that gets shed anyway. My suspicians are that the nail bed is intact because the area itself shows little damage. She's rebounding quickly, too.
However, I've had enough of the problems that this claw has caused her and will be discussing it again with the vet.
Her other claws are all fine, even though she has more than the average cat. They extend properly, retract properly, don't do any harm to her pads or other body parts, and she's good about the clipping of them. There's no reason to remove these.

If the claw is troublesome for the kitty and the Vet recommends removal, I would think this would be helpful for her. It can't be good that she keeps tearing it and causing herself harm and pain.
-----
PHWildCat
Cat Board Monitor and Chat Host
Pet Hobbyist
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

>>If the claw is troublesome for the kitty and the Vet recommends removal, I would think this would be helpful for her. It can't be good that she keeps tearing it and causing herself harm and pain.
>>-----
>>PHWildCat
>>Cat Board Monitor and Chat Host
>>Pet Hobbyist
>>A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

I 100% agree. Of course not being a vet and having never seen this cat, I wouldn't even attempt to guess which option is in this cat's best interests. But gee, if the vet and you agree that it's the best option, then it probably is.

The sad reality is that if she needed any other medical procedure, there wouldn't be political pressure or emotion either way. But because the ever-so-taboo subject of declawing is involved, you may run into someone who will scold you for even considering it, regardless of the circumstances. (CatHobbyist people don't tend to be like that. But you may run into someone "in real life" who does.) I trust you will make this medical decision for your cat just as you would any other medical decision.

And please give her a headbonk from me. Sounds like she really hurt her paw. I hope that it wasn't infected and she was feeling better quickly.

Lisa

Mary, just wanted to say thanks for taking care of all those kitties who can't take care of themselves.

Jen