American Veterinary Medical Association
Headquarters: 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100; Schaumburg, IL 60173
ph: 847-925-8070; fax: 847-925-1329; email: avmainfo@avma.org
Governmental Relations Division: 1910 Sunderland Place, NW;
Washington, DC 20036-1642
ph: 800-321-1473; fax: 202-842-4360; email: avmagrd@avma.org
Public policy opportunities for veterinarians: MLutschaunig@avma.org
Dear AVMA:
I commend the AVMA for updating its position statement on feline
declawing to "only after attempts made to prevent the cat
from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents a zoonotic risk for
its owner(s)."
However, veterinarians unified under the oath "above all, do no
harm," ought to represent the well-being of animals. Neither
the surgical amputation of an animal's toes at the last joint (onychectomy) nor the
severing of tendons to disable a cat's claws (tendonectomy)
is in the best interest of a cat.
"Declawing represents a clear and undisputable risk to the cat,"
claims Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Professor of Behavioral
Pharmacology and Director of the Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of
Veterinary Medicine. "Declawing is inhumane."
In fact, a Journal of Veterinary Surgery report shows 50% of 163 cats
who underwent onychectomy suffered from direct
postoperative complications such as pain, hemorrhage, and lameness. Of 121 cats
observed for lasting repercussions, almost 20% had
ongoing lameness. Bone chips that impair healing, recurring infections, and radial
nerve injury are among other outcomes linked to
declawing.
In over 20 countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada,
declawing is either illegal or extremely restricted. I urge the
AVMA to join its global colleagues with a position statement that denounces declawing
as cruel and unwarranted.
In addition, I respectfully ask you to withdraw the misleading AVMA
statement: "There is no scientific evidence that declawing
leads to behavioral abnormalities..." This claim contradicts studies, as well as
innumerable accounts from cat guardians and shelter workers,
that attest to behavioral consequences associated with the removal of healthy bone,
claw and tissue.
National shelter surveys reveal that 70-80% of cats surrendered for
offensive behavior are declawed. JAVMA's own 2001
study identified the onset of undesirable behavior in 33% of declawed cats, following
onychectomy. Nearly 18% started or increased their rate
of biting. Over 15% stopped using the litterbox.
Veteran shelter workers are very familiar with post-declaw house
soilers and biters. Shelter director William Lombardi,
Gloucester County, New Jersey, says cats with claws intact are always relinquished
for human-related reasons such as "moving" or "new baby."
Conversely, declawed cats are dropped off with behavioral problems. In another JAVMA
study (October 2001) Dr. Gary J. Patronek, VMD, PhD.,
maintains, "�Declawed cats were at an increased risk of relinquishment."
I call upon the American Veterinary Medical Association to firmly
oppose declawing procedures. Why inflict pain upon an
animal solely for human ease, particularly when so many options for training cats and
curtailing scratching damage are now available?
Thank you,
