One of our kittens was born with two of her claws (and the corresponding pads) fused together. The claw is curled back into the pad and, although we normally file it back while she's sleeping it's starting to grow too quickly for us to keep on top of (she doesn't sleep much these days) and we think it may be starting to cause discomfort.
Has anyone else had any experience with this sort of thing? The vet didn't have any advice to offer when we first took them as it looked like we would be able to keep trimming and filing. Obviously I don't want to go down the route of de-clawing (is that even legal in the UK?), but American websites keep throwing it out there as a solution.
Any advice would be MASSIVELY appreciated!
Deformed Claw
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unexpectedbacon
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meriad
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Re: Deformed Claw
No, declawing is not legal in this country thank goodness - why it's still allowed in the US time and time astounds me; you'd think they'd know better wouldn't you?
Obviously daily inspection and regular clipping right back as short as you can go would be the best and ideal way to cope with this, but claws growing into a paw pad can and will cause health issues of their own and if there is a medical reason for it as in your case then removal of the two toes may be the only option; but the vet should be able to advise on that. It definitely would need to be very verylast resort; and I think what would be a huge difference in your case is that you're removing 'only' the two toes that are causing issues; so the cat will still have the rest of it's paw to walk on and not put excess pressure on where the amputation would be.
I think a good heart to heart chat with your vet is advisable - and depending on where you live and if you have insurance, see if you can get referral to a specialist vet who would deal with surgery of this kind. Another option would be to take some very good clear and close up photos and contact someone like Noel Fitzpatrick (http://www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and see if he can give advice over the phone?
Good luck, I really really hope that regular clipping of the claws will be all sufficient to allow your girl to have as normal a life as possible.
Obviously daily inspection and regular clipping right back as short as you can go would be the best and ideal way to cope with this, but claws growing into a paw pad can and will cause health issues of their own and if there is a medical reason for it as in your case then removal of the two toes may be the only option; but the vet should be able to advise on that. It definitely would need to be very verylast resort; and I think what would be a huge difference in your case is that you're removing 'only' the two toes that are causing issues; so the cat will still have the rest of it's paw to walk on and not put excess pressure on where the amputation would be.
I think a good heart to heart chat with your vet is advisable - and depending on where you live and if you have insurance, see if you can get referral to a specialist vet who would deal with surgery of this kind. Another option would be to take some very good clear and close up photos and contact someone like Noel Fitzpatrick (http://www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and see if he can give advice over the phone?
Good luck, I really really hope that regular clipping of the claws will be all sufficient to allow your girl to have as normal a life as possible.
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unexpectedbacon
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Re: Deformed Claw
That’s really helpful and mind-easing, thank you! Hopefully we’ll be able to find a way to work around it without having to amputate, but if it really starts to affect her then so be it…
We'll see what the vet says. Thanks again
We'll see what the vet says. Thanks again