What veterinary clinics located within 25 miles of Easton, PA offer
feline declaw surgery specifically using laser technology (a.k.a.
laser declaw)?

Laser surgery is an expensive alternative to standard declawing that
has no inherent advantages. A poor surgeon with a scalpel will still
be a poor surgeon with a laser. They just leave less evidence of their
incompetence.

I have corrected several bungled declaws performed by veterinarians
using lasers. These people purchase a very expensive device and
receive an afternoon of "training" that usually involves free lunch,
dinner, or similar diversion, along with a good bit of time devoted to
"how your investment will improve your bottom line."

What you need is a feline vet, preferably someone who runs a cats-only
practice and who devotes extra time and energy to researching and
improving on techniques specifically for cats. Such a practitioner
will most likely use glue instead of sutures for the declaw and will
be concerned enough about post-operative discomfort to suggest either
painkiller pills or a transdermal patch with a strong painkiller.

Visit http://www.aafponline.org/findadoctor.php and input "Allentown
PA" to find the feline practitioner that's about 20 miles away from
you (unless you are in the Easton PA that is near Clarion, in which
case you are probably not going to find either a cat practitioner or a
laser surgeon!).

The last laser declaw I repaired cost the owner $500 for the declaw
and $270 for the repair (a "regular" declaw is about $170 using the
advanced techniques I learned from a feline specialist). The man's cat
was in quite a bit of pain from the bungled job-- the tips of the toes
were growing back mangled and twisted for weeks before they erupted
from the skin-- and the two procedures exposed the pet to twice the
dangers of anesthesia. He was quite embarrassed about the whole thing
because he's been bringing his pets to me for 20 years and this was
the first time he went elsewhere, and all because he thought he was
getting the latest, most up-to-date care for his cat.

If you are looking for a laser surgeon because it's "cool", good on
you; you deserve what you get. If you are looking for the best
possible care for your pet, don't make a medical decision that's
ill-informed or faddish. Seek an expert for your pet, and best of luck
to you both.

Hi warrenfr-ga

Don?t have your cat declawed, read the following articles 

http://www.catscratching.com/
http://www.cfainc.org/health/declawing.html
http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/scratching_and_declawing/declawing.html
http://www.pawproject.com/html/faqs.asp

Kind regards

Ross (Australia)

I tried to present a balanced view of the declawing issue in my answer here:

http://www.answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=469843

There is really no point on full declaws since cats don't do much
damage with their hind legs, but they need those claws to climb a tree
if they sneak out, defend themselves, and grooming. I don't recommend
declawing an outdoor cat or an older cat.
http://www.geocities.com/declawing/

I've never performed a full declaw, only fronts, and would have to
have a solid reason for such a procedure, i.e., elderly owner with
blood problems and a bouncy cat (I haven't the faintest idea how such
a pairing would occur-- this is my metaphor so indulge me). Even with
such an argument, I doubt I would do all four paws.

Let us not debate declawing here-- Pinkfreud's excellent answer to
469843 linked above is quite thorough. The anti-declawing lobby takes
a few liberties but the pro-declawing folks don't do a lot better with
their arguments.

I merely want to point out that a laser is a scalpel and if that
scalpel is used by a mediocre surgeon, there will be mediocre results.
Technology is no panacea; skill counts. One of the things you are
taught in surgery is how to know where to cut to prevent or minimize
bleeding and damage; bleeding is a signal and a laser nearly
eliminates this warning. I shudder to think of a generation of
surgeons using lasers without being careful to avoid nicking the
liver, never learning how to repair the occasional slip or wrong turn,
leaving behind a surgical field riddled with scorch marks as testimony
to their sloppy technique with who-knows-what result.

Give me steel and a steady hand any day.

All you folks who had laser eye surgery will find this out when your
eyeballs spontaneously combust. I'll be wearing my glasses and
charging $50 a head to read the newspaper out loud to you.

Man, that laser scene in "Logan's Run" with Farrah really creeped me out.

I guess I should have read the Google Answers website concept more
clearly...Had I known my question was going to open the floodgates of
public comment on the ethics of declawing instead of simply having my
question answered by a researcher, I certainly would have taken the
time to find my own answers.
     Listen, I don't need to justify myself, but for the benefit of
those expressing concern by commenting on my question, I'll offer some
information about my specific situation.  The kitten is strictly an
indoor pet and will never be let outside.  He was acquired from a
neighbor whose cat had kittens.  If we didn't take the kitten, it
would have gone directly to a shelter because she couldn't handle
raising them.  I have two children, a 4 year-old and a 2 year-old.  In
the 2 months that we've had him, every member of the family has paid
the price for entertaining him...as I type this, the wounds on my
hands bear the evidence of many rough-and-tumble play sessions.  Given
the option of having him raised in a shelter (or worse outdoors) or
being loved and spoiled by a wonderful family in a nice home, I choose
the latter at the price of the claws.
     Regarding my interest in laser vs. traditional, I don't decide on
procedures for my pets based on what's "cool" or "faddish."  I
couldn't care less what the trend is.  I am expressing interest in the
laser technique because I am looking for the best option for my pet
with the least post-operative discomfort, regardless of expense, and
it appears to be a promising option on the surface.  I'm not going to
book an appointment, sight unseen, if or when I get my question
answered.  The plan is to consult at length with the veterinarian to
determine if this is the best option for my pet and to evaluate the
experience of and establish a level of comfort with the surgeon.  Your
comments regarding your negative experiences with the laser procedure
are are appreciated and I will take them into account while I
determine the best option for my pet.  However, saying "I deserve what
I get" and referring to "spontaneously combusting human eyeballs," is
a bit presumptuous when posting a comment to someone you've never met.
 If you feel the need to comment, please keep it to fact and evidence
and leave the assumption and jabbing out.

I am the owner of indoor 15 cats----none of whom have been declawed up
until 4 days ago. My furniture is a shredded mess but that does not
matter to me. My cats 'rule the roost' and their welfare is my Number
1 concern. However, my youngest boy ( 18 months ) is a little devil in
many ways. I have endured scratches and lashes ad infinitum. Once a
month, my husband and I clip our brood's claws. This boy absolutely
refused to co-operate.He is high-spirited and well.....just plain
*nasty*. It's his nature and he will probably always be this way. He
will not use a scratching post. We have tried every technique under
the sun but this last time resulted in an injury to him. He struck out
as I clipped and the clippers got caught in his nail and I almost
yanked it out during this tussle. His foot began to bleed and I
determined that we must both 'bite the bullet' and get him
de-clawed----mainly for his own sake so that I would not
unintentionally harm him again. Our vet used the laser technique. He
is gradually healing and, of course, none of us are happy about
this----but the alternative to de-clawing was both frightening and
possibly dangerous to our cat. Every case is going tp be different and
I think each person should get all of the FACTS (no scare tactics
PLEASE-----there are disadvantages to EVERY action which is taken in
life ) and then determine their own course......I am involved in
feline rescue at my local no-kill cat shelter. Of course, I see many
people who de-claw their felines merely for the protection of their
furniture, drapes, carpet, etc   I do not agree but these poor animals
are rescued from the streets----often sick and starving and near
death. Some individuals cannot accept a cat into their homes unless
they de-claw them. That is SAD but at least this animal has a chance
for a home. There are thousands and thousands of cats who die alone
and unloved each year. At least, this is a CHANCE for them to have
some kind of life. I wish there were no homeless cats. I wish every
pet and every person on this Earth lived in PERFECT conditions. But
that is not the nature of life---unfortunately.  Good Luck to all of
you ---whether you agree about this issue or not. The BOTTOM LINE is
that we all love our cats. Thank You.