Kitten Torture

[payne_n_diaz]

Yesterday was more than a national day of mourning and rememberence... My cat Spike got neutered. What was supposed to cost $50 ended up being $135, because upon examination the vet said one of his testicles had not descended, so they had to go looking for it. Instead of snip-snip, his procedure was a snip-slice.

On the brighter side, we also had something called 'Soft-Paws' done to him. Rather than have him declawed, which I think is painful and cruel, they put acrylic caps on the tips of his nails. This will save my furniture, and my skin, from the onslaught of his little claws. The caps last about six weeks, and it was only $18, so I think it was worth the investment. The only bad thing about them is that Spike has to learn to use his rear claws for traction instead of his front ones.



I just hope the dog doesn't take this as a sign that it's open season on Kittens.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I am here to tell you that Soft Paw's are a life saver and they are not even that hard to put them on kitty yourself as they eventually start to fall off either...what I did was used one of the bright colored ones as opposed to the clear ones so that I would find them on the carpet as they fell off and I would then know that it was time to trim a nail and put on a cap...I can also tell you that in the beginning my cat chewed on them incessantly and pulled his first set off completely within the first two weeks but they do get used to them.

Oh and as far as using the back claws well what your dog will have to look out for will be what I call the Jackrabbit syndrome its where the cat grabs on to something (like a dog for example) and kicks with both back legs at the same time like a rabbit that would be hopping with claws extended so I don't think it is the kitten you have to look out for.

Trust me... I know...

[mcbarnes1970.livejournal.com]

To be honest, the two of them are very close and love to play. Any and all kicking that has been directed toward my dog has been in a playful way. Granted, at times Dixie (my dog) plays a little rough, but Spike has grown quite a bit since the first day we brought him home and can hold his own.

As someone who has trained dogs on a professional basis, I know it is easier to bring a new puppy into a home that has an established cat than the other way around. We were successful in doing the opposite, and the secret is to limit their interaction for the first week or so, followed by increased interaction with constant supervision. As long as the cat has an escape route (like a cat tree), there usually isn't an issue.

We were lucky because Spike was hand fed as a baby and raised with a German Shepard.

THANK YOU!

[talitha-oy.livejournal.com]

As a vet tech, I am really glad you went with the Soft Paws instead of declawing. Look at your hand....now look carefully and the first section at the tip of each finger, up to the first knuckles....THIS is what they chop off the equivalent of in a declaw surgery. It's painful, barbaric and unnecessary. I'm glad you went the kinder way. The only problem with Soft Paws is that they DO tend to fall off often. The good news is that they carry them at most Petco stores, and you can easily replace them yourself as often as they fall off.
:)