Expert: Tina - 3/23/2007

Question
He was just declawed and neutered last week Friday. I know its only been a week but in my previous expierences with cats, they bounced back rather quickly. Cole is not, he is just sitting around and hiding, he is still eating and drinking but just not moving, should I give him more time before taking him back to the vet or should I go now...its not that he is sick, my kids (and myself) are just worried...
Thank you

Answer
HI Georgette,

Please take your cat back to the vet right away - they should be able to at least give you pain medication for your cat. Has he even been given any painkiller?

I am very sorry to hear that you had your cat declawed. It is a very painful and unnecessary surgery involving the amputation of the last bone on each digit, just like removing the last part from the knuckle to the tip of each of your fingers. Think about how much it hurts when you slam your hand in a door - the finger tips are one of the most heavily innervated regions of the body, much like the tips of cats' toes. Now imagine the agony that cats go through when they are subjected to the declawing operation.

I'd be hiding and not walking around too if someone had done this to my feet.

Not only is the immediate recovery from the operation painful, but studies have shown that declawed cats show signs of ongoing pain. For example, declawed cats do not dig for as long in the litter box. Declawed cats often turn to biting as an outlet for frustration and their feeling of vulnerability.  Declawed cats are also frequently subject to early arthritis in their remaining toe joints as a result of the nerve damage that occurs, as well as other potential complications from the mutilation of their toes.

You should definitely call your vet because there is also a change Cole would have additional inflammation or infection and you need to take care of his pain.