Conference misery::feline_v1

Sometimes this happens - the current method of de-clawing is to
remove the nail portion of the claw, not any of the paw as was done in
years past.  Although this form of de-clawing is infinitely more humane,
in that it is like you having a toenail removed rather than having
half of your finger cut off, it requires the vet be much more practiced at
this procedure for it to go perfectly the first time.  If the vet does not 
cut at just the right place, residual claws can grow back and cause 
problems.....The double claws and "deformed" appearance are common when 
that regrowth takes place.  

Now that the cat has been "done" again, you probably won't have any
more trouble with him.  Keep an eye on both of the boys to make sure
the problem is taken care of.  I perform a weekly check over on my cats
to make sure they are healthy in general - run your hands over their
body, make sure eyes and ears are clean, LOOK at all feet and toes, etc.
when I comb....that way I am really sure of any changes....of course
my kids get brushed everyday because I'm allergic to their dandruff so
I have a better opportunity than some to keep abreast of the condition
of their bodies  8^}.

Oh, and you may get some hissing and growling when Brad gets home - he will
be crabby himself and he will smell different to Alex, which may lead
to a "readjustment" period for both......

				D

    D,
    
    	I visited with Brad yesterday. When she brought me in and opened
    	his cage, he hissed at her! SHe said maybe you will have better
    	luck with him because he wont look at anyone! Well the minute 
    	he heard my voice-he looked at me with his lil half shut eyes.
    	I wanted to cry! I spent some time with him and he fell asleep
    	in my hand. I brought him my sweater and was sleeping on it when
    	I left. I phoned this morning to see how he was. She said he is
    	wide awake and little more pleasant. I know my visit helped. He 
    	knows that I didnt just desert him! I know that is very important
    	for these babys. Hopefully! He will come home today! I miss him
    	so much! They are going to phone me later this morning and let
    	me know how his paws look after they examine him. I want him
    	home today! I know all about the re-adjustment period. I know
    	Alex will be fine and welcome him with open arms. But Brad will
    	be a little upset. It happened before when they were seperated.
    	Im just really sad that my poor baby had to go through this again.
    	Question: will he be able to walk right away or should I carry
    	him here and there? Should I make a nice comfortable spot for him
    	with his favorite afagne? (SP) To me this is major. Will I have to
    	give him his special box with shredded paper? I will keep you
    	updated as soon as I hear. Thanks D...
    
    	SueJ
    	Mother Of Sir Alexander & Lord Bradford

Brad will be able to walk. The vet will tell you any special instructions
about care for the paw when you pick him up...it is likely you will have
to use shredded paper for litter for a few days, but your vet will tell
you that for sure - you may not have to..You will be pleasantly surprised
to see Brad's condition when you pick him up, I'm sure - once the anesthesia
wears off, he will pretty much be his usual self.

I know this is serious to you, it would be for me too - our cats are our
babies, but this is truly not a serious threat to Brad's health.  He will
be fine and dandy in a few days - like it never happened.  You can be proud
of yourself because you were attentive enough to catch the problem and
prevent infection by dealing with it immediately...you are a very good 'Mom'.

Hang in there.....I'm sure your vet hasn't lost a worried cat owner yet..8^}

    Hi D...
    
    	Good News! My baby is coming home today! I cant wait to get out
    	of work so I can get him. The vet said he is wide awake and
    	waiting! He will give me some antibiotic drops for Brad.
    	The vet says I should keep him confined for a day so that
    	he wont jump and hurt his feets. 8^( I hate the thought
    	of keeping him in the bathroom or in a lil cage. But
    	if Im lucky he will be mellow on my lap. 8^) Your
    	gonna love this: The vet said most cats do not like
    	using shredded paper, so he said to use either :
    	unpopped popcorn or split peas! Now thats sitting
    	on the throne in style! ;^)  I just cant wait until
    	I feel my boy purrring again! I will tell ya I was 
    	in tears this morning when the receptionist said he
    	had to stay another day. But The Vet knows Best!
    	Thanks a lot "D" !!! I really appreciate you being
    	here to talk with. Also the vet said the reason why
    	these growths happen again is because of the method
    	of declawing Vets use to use. From what I understand 
    	is that Vets have changed the method to prevent this 
    	sort of thing. I know there is pain. But the way some
    	of the people talk about-its like torture. I asked my
    	vet "is he and will he be in pain? He said no. If you
    	cant trust your vet-who can you trust ??!! The lil 
    	withdrawel that Brad took out? was $78.50. Not too
    	bad. Thanks again D....God Bless you and the kittys...	
    		
    	SueJ
    	Mother of Sir Alexander & Lord Bradford >~
    	
    	

    Sue,
    
    How are the kids doing?
    
    Carol
    

    Hi,
    
    	Brad wasnt able to come home on Tuesday. But I picked him up on
    	Wednesday. He was bleeding on tuesday so they kept him an extra
    	day. He came home and was fine! I was surprised, he walked out
    	of his cage and said "Ok Wheres my food and wheres my box!"
    	He will not go in the popcorn. I replaced the litter with
    	the popcorn, I figured they both can use it. But Alex said
    	no way and held it until yesterday when he pleaded and begged
    	me to put his regular litter back in the box. So I did and he
    	went. So I have another little box in which I placed shredded
    	paper in it and Brad finally went but not solid. The minute
    	he leaves my sight- I follow him, he wants his box so bad.
    	He hasnt gone solid since he has been home. So after work 
    	Iam going to get some re-usable litter and maybe this will
    	solve our little dilemma! I hope so. Brads good, but sleepy.
    	Not problems at all with Alex and Brad. It was like Brad 
    	never left. Like I said I was really surprised. I think 
    	Alex is wondering why Brad and I have been sleeping in 
    	the spare room with the door closed. Alex thinks its 
    	a treat when I come out and he walks in and there is 
    	a box and food in the room. He thinks its for him !!
    	What really is upsetting is Brad was bleeding a little
    	when he came home and I phoned the doctor and he never
    	phoned back ! It makes me wonder-seriously ! I was very
    	upset. I called him three times. I do not know if I will
    	bring them there again. Thanks for asking about the boys!!
    
    	SueJ
    	Mother of Sir Alexander & Lord Bradford

    
    sue...
    
    glad to hear that his lordship has returned home. hope the bleeding has
    stopped by now.
    
    i don't blame you for being upset with the vet for not calling you
    back. when little stella had her spay surgery, i was *extremely* upset
    cuz the receptionist/assistant had such a cavalier attitude at my
    concern. it took several callz before i could get anyone to talk to me. 
    i have since changed vetz...
    
    good luck to the boy...
    
    diane & stella & stanley
    

    Sue -
      Who have you been leaving the messages with?  I'd keep trying
    until you get the vet and then tell him how many times you've called.
    It might be the receptionist or answering service.  If he's a good
    vet at least make sure he's informed of the problem before you switch.
    That gives him a chance to correct the situation - whether or not
    you go to a new vet as a result of your experiences.
      Nancy DC
    

    Hi,
    
    	I have left messages with the receptionist! And the assistant.
    	His paws are just fine. The biggest problem Iam having is that
    	he will not go in the box! I have purchased this litter that 
    	is reusable and it has a special box. It has two compartments.
    	On the bottom tray you place newspaper and that soaks the urine.
    	Both will urinated in it. But will not go solid! SOmeone HELP!
    	As a matter of fact I thought Brad was holding it all this time,
    	when I discovered it tucked away somewhere! YUCK. What can I do
    	to help them get use to this? Has anyone heard of this litter ??
    	Its "Kitty ____" cant remember! help please !
    
    	SueJ
    	Mother of Sir Alexander & Lord Bradford

    It is called Kitty Privvy and I used for awhile.  My cats also liked
    to urinate in it but didn't like to use it for defacating.  I stopped
    using it because the granules are so hard and large, that they probably
    hurt their feet.  Try switching to regular litter or something like
    Everclean, the reusable 'sand' litter which is soft and very easy
    on the paws.  My guys loved Everclean but they also used their
    litterbox as a kid's toy sandbox and I was vacuuming the house more
    than ever back then.
    
    --Roberta
    

    
    	I see what your saying. I cant use regular litter right
    	now because of Brads surgery. About the Ever-Clean, that
    	isnt recommended because of the surgery either. Yea, I
    	heard they love to play in the stuff! I dont know what 
    	Im going to do!~ Thanks

    How about shredded newspaper?  That's what a lot of folks use after
    having their cat declawed.  Some cats take to it, others don't but
    it's worth a try anyway.
    

    Hi R.
    
    	No go. Ive tried that too. he urinated in it and left me a 
    	surprise somewhere else. As a matter of fact, one of them 
    	let me know they didnt like it by going right on the rug 
    	that the box is on. I guess Im just hoping they will just 
    	get use to it?? My fiance' thinks its something personal!
    	But he loves they boys. Hey we are a package deal!!
    
    	SueJ 
    	Praying they get use to it !
    	

    
    
    	WoW... I found this note. Just remembering how much I missed
    	him then....Love you My Baby...
    
    	SueJ-Alex-Angel Brad