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Home Care Following Declaw Surgery
Killarney Cat Hospital
Wellness and Nutrition Centre
TEL: 403 (246-1115)
www.catdoctor.ca
Scratching with the front claws is a normal, instinctive behavior for
cats. The purpose of this activity is to re-move old, worn fragments of
nails. Though scratching is normal for cats, this behaviour can be costly
and de-structive to the home. For many cat owners, declawing is the only
solution. A declawed cat should be confined indoors, since the claws are
its primary means of defense. A house cat has little need for defense
and may be a more suitable pet when declawed because it can no longer
ruin furnishings or scratch people. A cat that has only the front claws
removed can still defend itself, but when all four feet are declawed,
it is imperative that the cat stay indoors.
Declawing is performed under general anesthesia and consists of surgical
removal of the nail bed. The incisions are usually glued with special
surgical tissue glue. Although sutures may be used on the paws, suture
removal will not be necessary. Antibiotic ointment is then applied and
the feet are bandaged. Effective painkillers are used before and after
anesthesia.
PRE-SURGICAL CARE
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Your cat was given a pre-surgical physical examination
and appeared to be ________________________________________________
PRE-ANESTHETIC SAFETY SCREENING TEST:
You have elected the pre-anesthetic blood test. Yes No
The blood test was within normal limits Yes No
If not please comment _______________________________________
You have elected preventive urinalysis Yes No
The urinalysis was within normal limits Yes No
If not please comment _______________________________________
FLUID SUPPORT: You have elected: p subcutaneous fluid support
intravenous fluid support
I have declined any fluid support
SURGICAL PROCEDURE
The operation was performed under general anesthesia.
The recovery was uneventful Yes No
PAIN CONTROL
You have elected slow release painkiller Duragesic patch
You have elected painkilling tablets to take home
You have declined pain treatment
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
PROPER RESTRAINT
Please protect your pet when leaving the hospital by using either a leash
or carrier. If your pet is recovering from surgery and gets loose, excessive
activity or injury may result.
FOOD AND WATER
No food should be given for the first 1-2 hours after you have brought
your cat home. Normal feeding may be resumed the same day. Do not become
alarmed if your cat does not wish to eat very much for a day. Water is
allowed in small amounts and frequently. Too much water at once may cause
vomiting.
EXERCISE AND ACTIVITY LEVEL
Restricting exercise is difficult. However, you should prevent your cat
from jumping as much as possible for the first five days. Jumping and
excessive activity may slow the healing. We recommend small children not
handle or bother your pet for 24 hours. Occasionally a cat breaks open
one of the small scabs where the nail was removed. A few drops of blood
followed by rapid cessation of bleeding is normal. Call us if bleeding
persist. You should keep the cat off of carpeting and furniture for the
5 days in case bleeding occurs. Your cat should be able to walk normally.
Tenderness may be evident for 1-2 weeks. Mild licking and cleaning is
acceptable.
MONITORING
Check the incision sites tonight 2-3 times, then daily for 7 days. Notify
us immediately if your cat's feet appear swollen, bleed frequently, your
cat is reluctant to walk, or there is a change general health or behavior.
USE SPECIAL LITTER
Replace the normal granular clay litter with non-dusty litter for seven
days. If you wish, we can supply Yesterday's News litter.
PAIN CONTROL
If you opted to use the Duragesic patch painkiller, remove it in three
days. When the patch is removed it is important to ensure all the glue
from this patch is also removed. Once the patch and all glue are removed,
the Elizabethan collar can also be removed. A mild skin irritation in
the area of the patch is normal. Please ensure that pets do not lick or
ingest the patch, and do not allow children to come in contact with it.
ELIMINATION HABITS
Many patients may not have bowel movements for one or two days after surgery.
This is normal if the patient is acting normally. If the constipation
persists please contact our office.
INTERACTION WITH OTHER CATS
Some cats (from multi-cat households) after arriving home may be perceived
as an enemy and attacked by the other cats. It is fairly normal to hiss
and fight. In this case you should separate them immediately. . It is
also recommended to rub a towel on the returning cat and then on the other
cat in order to transmit the smell onto each cat. Repeat this procedure
for each additional cat.
APPOINTMENTS
Return to hospital not required _________
required in _________ days for _____________________________________________________________
MEDICATION
Medication not required _________
required ______________________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
THANK YOU for allowing us to care for your companion.
Please do not hesitate to notify us if you have any further questions
or concerns.
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