Why we do not declaw, ear crop or tail dock
Why we do not provide ear cropping & tail docking of dogs and declawing of cats as one of our services:
While we respect anyone's opinion on these procedures, we at Pet Street Veterinary Care Center have strong ethical beliefs against ear cropping, tail docking and declawing.
Reasons not to perform ear cropping and tail docking:
1) Dogs are using their ears and tail for so-called non-verbal communication (communication without making any sounds). By performing these surgeries this important way of communication is taken away.
2) A lot of these procedures are done because of certain breed standards. It won't improve quality of life for the animal.
3) Risks and complications of anesthesia and surgery.
Note: Dr. Willem-Jan van Deijck owns a rescue Boxer, named Guapo. Ear cropping and tail docking, two common procedures for a Boxer were not performed when he was a puppy. Every day Dr. van Deijck appreciates Guapo having his ears and tail. He can read Guapo a lot better in regards to how he's feeling and/or acting in certain situations.
Reasons not to perform declawing:
1) Scratching is a natural behavior for a cat! They mark their territory and it's a great exercise for them.
2) It's a painful procedure. Think of it as 10 amputations! A common misconception is that the owner thinks we only take away the nails. Unfortunately with declawing we take away the nail including the last bone of the toe! Phantom pain may exist for weeks, even months, after surgery due to the slow healing process of the nerves.
3) Risks and complications of anesthesia and surgery.
4) Declawing may sometimes lead to litter box problems and biting problems. Also their chief weapon of defense is taken away. Since strictly indoor cats sometimes manage to escape, a declawed cat won't stand a chance against a larger dog, a bigger cat or a predator.
If you want to perform any of these procedures on your animal for cosmetic purposes only, we would like you to consider AVMA's (American Veterinary Medical Association) policies on these matters (see below).
Only if there is a medical reason (e.g. broken tail) to perform tail docking/ amputation on your dog we will provide this service.
A painless alternative to declawing we provide, is Soft Paws (Vinyl nail caps that keep a cat's nails blunt and harmless for 4-6 weeks).
If you have a personal reason to declaw your cat we can refer you to one of our colleagues.
AVMA policy
Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs
(Oversight: AWC; HOD 07/1999, EB revised 11/2008)
The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.
AVMA policy
Declawing of Domestic Cats
(Oversight: AWC; EB 03/2003, revised 04/2009)
Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents a zoonotic risk for its owner(s).
While we respect anyone's opinion on these procedures, we at Pet Street Veterinary Care Center have strong ethical beliefs against ear cropping, tail docking and declawing.
Reasons not to perform ear cropping and tail docking:
1) Dogs are using their ears and tail for so-called non-verbal communication (communication without making any sounds). By performing these surgeries this important way of communication is taken away.
2) A lot of these procedures are done because of certain breed standards. It won't improve quality of life for the animal.
3) Risks and complications of anesthesia and surgery.
Note: Dr. Willem-Jan van Deijck owns a rescue Boxer, named Guapo. Ear cropping and tail docking, two common procedures for a Boxer were not performed when he was a puppy. Every day Dr. van Deijck appreciates Guapo having his ears and tail. He can read Guapo a lot better in regards to how he's feeling and/or acting in certain situations.
Reasons not to perform declawing:
1) Scratching is a natural behavior for a cat! They mark their territory and it's a great exercise for them.
2) It's a painful procedure. Think of it as 10 amputations! A common misconception is that the owner thinks we only take away the nails. Unfortunately with declawing we take away the nail including the last bone of the toe! Phantom pain may exist for weeks, even months, after surgery due to the slow healing process of the nerves.
3) Risks and complications of anesthesia and surgery.
4) Declawing may sometimes lead to litter box problems and biting problems. Also their chief weapon of defense is taken away. Since strictly indoor cats sometimes manage to escape, a declawed cat won't stand a chance against a larger dog, a bigger cat or a predator.
If you want to perform any of these procedures on your animal for cosmetic purposes only, we would like you to consider AVMA's (American Veterinary Medical Association) policies on these matters (see below).
Only if there is a medical reason (e.g. broken tail) to perform tail docking/ amputation on your dog we will provide this service.
A painless alternative to declawing we provide, is Soft Paws (Vinyl nail caps that keep a cat's nails blunt and harmless for 4-6 weeks).
If you have a personal reason to declaw your cat we can refer you to one of our colleagues.
AVMA policy
Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs
(Oversight: AWC; HOD 07/1999, EB revised 11/2008)
The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.
AVMA policy
Declawing of Domestic Cats
(Oversight: AWC; EB 03/2003, revised 04/2009)
Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents a zoonotic risk for its owner(s).
