PUBLICATIONS
Jennifer Conrad. "Declaw Surgery and Reparative Surgery," http://www.pawproject.com/html/surgery.asp
Jackson Galaxy. "Cats and Claws -- Living Happily Ever After," http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library_ &act=show&item=1
Jean Hofve. "Declawing: A Rational Look," http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library_ &act=show&item=002
Jennifer Conrad, K. Wendelburg, Silvio Santinelli, Anna Park. "Deleterious Effects Of Onychectomy (Declawing) in Exotic Felids and a Reparative Surgical Technique: A Preliminary Report," paper presented at the 2002 American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
ABSTRACT
Onychectomy, or declawing, is a controversial and morbid procedure when used in the management of exotic felids. There are three basic techniques, all of which lead to significant gait disturbances and bony deformities. Although each method of onychectomy has a purported rationale, every declawed animal we have encountered manifests some degree of dysfunction, such as abnormal standing conformation and the slow and painful placement of paws during ambulation.
Fourteen declawed exotic felids with morbid sequelae of onychectomy have been treated with a reparative surgical technique. Over 90 percent of these animals have exhibited markedly improved gait and stance.