Post-Operation Care for Declawed Cats

Cat declawing is a surgical procedure involving permanent removal of the last bone and toenail of the toe. This procedure usually involves only the front feet, although some cat owners elect to remove claws on the back feet as well. The traditional method of performing this surgery involves using general anesthesia and can be painful for a cat, but the introduction of laser surgery, while still requiring general anesthesia, appears to be less painful for cats and is becoming a more popular option. Regardless of the surgical method, proper post-operation care is important to ensure comfort and proper healing.

  1. Pain Management

    • Because the cat remains in the hospital for one to two days following the declawing surgery, general anesthesia is completely worn off and the cat is feeling the surgery̵7;s full effect. Pain depends on factors such as the age, weight, activity level of the cat and the cat̵7;s individual tolerance level, but in general, the heavier the cat, the more pain it will feel. Follow your veterinarian̵7;s instructions on managing your cat̵7;s pain carefully as recovery will be quicker if the cat is in less pain. Pain medication can be in pill form or in a patch and be necessary for up to one week.

    Cleanliness

    • By the time your cat comes home, he will not be wearing bandages. Keep the surgical area clean using a saline solution and administer any antibiotic medication the vet may order. While you can expect your cat to lick the area, try to prevent excessive licking. If this does occur, call your vet to find out if they recommend an Elizabethan collar or a bitter-tasting liquid you can apply to the paws to discourage licking.

      Keep the cat's environment, especially the litter area, scrupulously clean. If your cat will use it, replace your usual litter with shredded newspaper. If the cat will not use shredded paper, try a commercial shredded-paper pellet litter. Use your normal litter only as a last resort, and then immediately clean the paw area with a saline solution each time the cat uses the litter box.

    Behavior

    • It is crucial to keep the cat indoors. Restrict play or rambunctious activity until healing is complete. This may not as difficult as it sounds as the paws will be sore and walking may be difficult. Provide a stepping platform for areas you know your cat likes to jump on, such as your bed, so the cat can still have access without having to jump.

    Warning Signs

    • Complications resulting from declawing surgery can include bleeding and infection. You may see some blood around the paw area, usually because of a scab pulling loose. If bleeding is profuse or you cannot stop it, call the vet immediately. Keep a close eye on the area for signs of swelling and infection. If you see any signs of discharge, redness, or if the cat appears to be in pain longer than a week after surgery, call your vet immediately.