At 04:56 AM 6/10/2007, you wrote:
I did not even get in to that issue but it is an important one. Many
many elderly persons bleet with a touch as theri skin is so thin.
Mine is like that now and i never heal . I try to wark long sleeves
but I am very scared up. If a person is a diabetic it is much worse
as they infect so easily. they are all choices we make in this world
and i would rather see a kitty declawed than allowed to live out doors.
Kelly
I have to support Kelly. I will go to any possible lengths to avoid
declawing but there are times it is in both the cat's and
caregiver's best interest. There is laser technology available that
takes most of the pain out of it surgery. I had my mother's cat
declawed because every time she (the cat) even looked at Mom, Mom
bled profusely and it took hours to stop the bleeding. Never mind
the bruises. Kitty did not mean to hurt Mom but just routine
stretching produces nails. Neither she nor the other cat seemed any
worse for the experience and I am very sure that both, if asked,
would have given up the first digits to their "fingers." I know I
would in exchange for a home, food, and all the love imaginable.
Dixie is not declawed and I am praying that the day never comes when
I have to do that. With a compromised immune system ...........
well, I just pray. She is wonderful about what she scratches and I
have AC friends who talk to her when she "forgets." Like most on
this list, I have adjusted my taste in furniture and found that
lacey throws on couches and other upholstered pieces stop a lot of
damage. And there is no carpet in the house (the floors are taking
a beating from the constant running and turning but that is
ok). There will be no long, expensive drapes.
Beliefs are very strong on this issue and I understand how volatile
it is. I'm just throwing in my own thoughts. And the thought that
perhaps we need to ask the cats in question what they would prefer
when death is a serious option.
If you have men
who will exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter
of compassion and pity, you will have men who
will deal likewise
with their fellow man.
St. Francis
----- Original Message -----
From: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Kelly L
To: <mailto:felvtalk@felineleukemia.org>felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:59 PM
Subject: Re: OT - Phelix...and lessons learned.
At 09:34 PM 6/9/2007, you wrote:
this is where I will disagree. does it hurt for a few weeks. Yes it
does but a good vet gives good pain medication. Are there long term
consequences, That is debatable, A close friend, fellow rescuer and
Feline behaviorist plus RVT has had all 14 of her cats declawed, In
the past when I actually had furniture and a dog that lost an eye
just about I chose to declay the front toes. Yes I know what is involved,
the cat went on the live a happy and very healthy 15 more years.
Now that I have given up drapes furniture and dogs that live in
close proximity with my cats i would never do it, but I have adopted
out cat to people I knew would, but I also knew what wonderful cat
parents they are.
Braces a cruel and frequently put on our kids for only cosmetic
reasons, we subject our kids to years of discomfort,
I would opt for a declaw rather than to have a cat tossed outside by
one or the other care giver.
and to euthanize a cat instead makes me see red.
Kelly
Beth, it's not my "never declaw ideal" that made me say that, it is
my genuine belief that declawing causes long term physical and
psychological suffering, and I do not think putting a suffering cat
through more things to make it suffer more is a correct course of
action. Two wrongs don't make a right. Declawing is 100% cruel and
inhumane, and euthanasia is 100% humane when done correctly. To me,
there is no gray area there, it's black and white. To eliminate
suffering, yes, I will euthanise an animal. I do not have those
strong no-kill ideals others have these days. My son bites his
fingernails until they bleed sometimes... would I ever THINK to
even consider amputating his fingers to solve that problem? True,
it WOULD completely eliminate the problem, and his self-mutilation,
but at what cost? That's how I feel about it. That's just me,
personally. I'd like to see a $1000 fine and mandatory 90 days in
jail for felony animal cruelty for anyone that has a cat declawed -
that and the revoking of veterinary licenses for any vet that does
the surgery. But I admit, I'm totally way on one side of the fence
on declawing - probably to the point of being impractical and even
a bit of a lunatic.
Phaewryn
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