How to take care of a cat after it has been declawed. Cats may need a little extra TLC after the declaw surgery.
The cat declaw surgery is very painful and the recovery can be rough, especially for older or overweight cats. All alternatives should be considered before going ahead with this surgery. The cat declaw surgery is a complete amputation, up to the first knuckle, of each toe and cannot be reversed.
The recovery period for this procedure is about 7 – 10 days. During this period your cat will require a little extra care.
- Litter Box – The gravel or clumping/sandy type litter in the litter box will need to be removed and replaced with shredded paper or a pellet type litter. The pellet litter (Yesterdays News or Feline Pine) can be purchased at most discount stores. This is to prevent the regular litter from entering the incisions and contaminating the site. The regular litter may also cause pain to the tender toes. When kitty has made a complete recovery you can return to using the litter of your choice. Beware: abruptly changing litters may cause litter box aversion!
- Check Paws – The paws will need to be looked at several times a day. Check the incisions for any signs of bleeding or infection. If you see redness, swelling, discharge, or if the paws are bleeding call your veterinarian immediately. It is not uncommon for post-declawed paws to bleed a few days after surgery, but your veterinarian needs to be aware of the complication. Infection is another common complication of the declaw surgery.
- Sore Paws – The paws will be very tender for a few days following surgery. Many believe the soreness lasts longer because of “phantom pains” (similar to human amputees).
- No Jumping - Try to prevent your cat from jumping for at least 10 days following surgery. (Feel free to start smirking or laughing out loud now). This will help the paws heal faster by not disrupting any formed blood clots and, of course, keeps the soreness to a minimum. This is best accomplished by keeping kitty contained in 1 or 2 rooms; if this is not possible then do your best by not encouraging rough play and extra activity.
- Pain Medications and Antibiotics - Your cat will appreciate pain medication following this procedure. If your veterinarian does not prescribe any – ask for it. The pain medication maybe in an injectable form that lasts up to three days; your veterinarian will give the injection. Otherwise the medication maybe an oral tablet or liquid. Antibiotics are not always needed and will be dispensed at your veterinarian's discretion.
The copyright of the article Cat Declaw Recovery in Pet Care is owned by Charla Dawson. Permission to republish Cat Declaw Recovery in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
