Nail Caps Essay

There are several options available to cat owners who wish to stop damaging or injurious scratching behaviours. These include behaviour modification, nail caps, frequent nail trims, tendonectomy and declawing (onychectomy). Non-surgical options include behavioral modification, frequent nail trims, nail caps and feline pheromone sprays. Nail trimming and nail caps do not modify the cat’s behaviour, but it can reduce the damage done from scratching behaviour. Nail caps may need to be replaced every four to six weeks and may require the help from veterinary staff to place the caps. Sedation may be required to place the nail caps. Feline pheromone sprays vary in their effectiveness, as they only reduce stress and anxiety. Tendonectomy is a procedure where the tendons in the cat’s foot are cut, so the cat is unable to extend its claws. The procedure cuts the tendons between the second and third phalanges. This procedure does not remove the claws, therefore the claws require frequent trimming as the cat cannot condition and maintain the claws themselves and they may grow into the pad. With tendonectomy procedures, the claws grow longer and thicker. There are fewer complications and less postoperative pain in tendonectomies than in declaws. Complications from …show more content…
The phalanx and claw are extended with the nail trimmers. Pressure is applied to the nail trimmers, cutting over the joint. The contour of the joint is followed with the trimmers, crushing and cutting the extensor tendon, the ligaments and the deep digital flexor tendon. The nail trimmers are completely shut to complete the amputation. The incision is then inspected for remaining fragments of the phalanx, which are removed. The incision is left open or can be closed with suture. Pressure bandages are applied to each foot and left on overnight. The cat is monitored for several hours after the bandages are