Cutting cats claws?

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Kim Buckley — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:25:41 GMT

I just don't know why people would kick up a fuss about it. People just love any excuse to complain I suppose.

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:28:45 GMT

I think once upon a time it was fine, but it's become more of an American society here in the UK where people want a lot more control and say in their lives. very micromanaged and they don't like it when you do things they don't ask for and would be more willing to sue you for it! this was one of the main reasons i moved away from the states!! seems the UK is only 5yrs behind with this attitude. :(

Re: Cutting cats claws?

emmRAR — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:11:24 GMT

I'm glad I asked!! Not sure I'll be doing people 'favours' any more...

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Celine — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:04:09 GMT

Its a weird one I agree, I often DO clip nails on dogs and cats without having asked first, BUT have also had one client at an old practice go mad at the vet for it (not my doing that time!) Having said that, the owner WAS a certified nutter

I'll do it regardless if the claws are long / thickened / digging in etc but won't clip cats claws otherwise unless I know the cat lives indoors only, I agree they need them to make quick getaways...

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Mrs Dot Dot — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:41:23 GMT

You would think that people would be plsd especially if you don't charge (and we don't charge) but have learnt from previous experiences and some people do complain... which is why we always ask / check / get consent etc etc

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Kim Buckley — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:37:39 GMT

I've clipped dogs claws under GA without consent quite regularly. Thinking about it you should have consent but don't see why anyone would complain because you are only doing it because they need doing and they don't get charged.

Don't clip cats claws unless asked.

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Steph Phillips — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:05:24 GMT

Have to admit, in the past I have clipped dogs nails without consent.. if I notice (while they are on the table) that their nails are reeeeaalllyy long, which I hate seeing.. (imagine the discomfort) I just clip them and dont charge. Then on discharge I mention that his nails were overgrown, clipped at no charge - owner happy!

Cats though - I tend to leave unless owner requests, or they are visibly overgrown and thickend - like in the older cats.

Re: Cutting cats claws?

NuttyNu — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:45:25 GMT

We always ask on admission if we can clip their claws as some people don't like it being done very much and we will get some people who have groomers etc clip them. I clipped my cats claws and she is an outdoor cat and she will still climb 5 ft fences just as easily and can still scale walls and i cut hers quite short as she was under GA for a lump removal and she is a nightmare otherwise. She has had no problems climbing or chasing wildlife!

We have a section of the forms for nail clipping and also for micro-chipping as we do it at a discounted rate. We also have notices up in reception saying the about the micro-chip discount and also about free nail clipping to try to get more people involved. It works quite well. We also call owners if they are very long when they have not given us permission because they need doing. Most clients are fine with this.

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Stella Skelton RVN — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:31:17 GMT

I'll always look but only cut them if i know the cat is an indoor cat...unless they're causing a problem i leave them for outdoor cats. x

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Mrs Dot Dot — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 08:45:35 GMT

We don't clip claws unless the owners have requested it or we phone and ask them, because surely it is classed as doing something without permission?

Also if anyone requests cat claw clipping I always ask if an indoor or outdoor cat and then explain that if you clip outdoor cats claws then they loose the ability or have reduced ability to climb trees/ fences to escape if needed, for a while, and to defend themselves.... then let the owners decide.

There are exceptions with clipping outdoor cats claws, mainly elderly cats with non-shedding, thickened, wizzened claws who probably don't go far anyway.

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Nick Shackleton — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 06:33:30 GMT

THe only time I would clip nails if it were part of the procedure ie if they were having foot surgery or having a dressing applied. Not keen on cutting kitties nails cos they can't escape. Most people used to ask anyway, like if was a post op check radiography. "oh can you clip his/her nails whilst they are under please"

Re: Cutting cats claws?

A-J — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:27:35 GMT

we wouldn't clip claws unless owners requested it. i wouldn't like it being done to my pets without asking, a bit presumptous. bets if a tick box on consent form i guess. one practice i worked in had a chap complain about it. Personally i woun't clip a cats claws.

Re: Cutting cats claws?

emmRAR — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:08:38 GMT

You certainly do learn something new. I had no idea that it might be a legal issue!

Now it's been said I can see the sense in it, but I always just saw it as doing the client a favour... laws gone mad I think!

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:03:39 GMT

We actually have a bit on consent form to ask if they want nails done while under...\(this is free of charge). most go for it...personally we clip all four feet on cats/out or indoor... never actually heard of them needing their talons long on the back... thats what \i like about this site though you learn something new everyday

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Vicky RVN — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:54:09 GMT

We ask on admit if they want anything else doing under ga so often people opt for nail clipping if they need it, so we add it fo consent form. We don't charge for it.

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Samantha Bell BSc(Hons) DipHE CVN DipAVN RVN VNA M — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:51:38 GMT

I think it would be advisable to ask at admit for permission, otherwise there has been no consent. Either that or write on the consent form something like 'general anesthetic for ****** and treatment as necessary'.

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Vicky RVN — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:38:44 GMT

[quote user="chanel clydesdale"]Is clipping claws without owners permission not classed as surgical trespass?[/quote]

Never heard of that before

Re: Cutting cats claws?

chanel clydesdale — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:35:06 GMT

Is clipping claws without owners permission not classed as surgical trespass? we had a vet work with us who wouldnt allow us to clip any patients nails without permission as it was surgical trespass but as long as we have permission we will do both cats and dogs under GA.

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Steph Worsley — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:56:24 GMT

[quote user="Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN"]

Outdoor cats should never need to have their claws clipped - essential for their defence against other cats and for climbing...

[/quote]

now you see I actually disagree with you here, yes I agree they shouldnt be cut really short, however taking the tips off (in my opinion) doesn't reduce their ability to climb or to defend themselves (my parents cats have never had any probs defending themselves or climbing whilst having their claws clipped and being outside cats all their lives, just as 2 examples!!!)

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:52:11 GMT

Outdoor cats should never need to have their claws clipped - essential for their defence against other cats and for climbing...

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 19:38:40 GMT

maybe I should add would cut the back nails if it was a very old indoor cat that had really thickened nails that were growing round. There are still not enough of us checking these and it can make the world of difference comfort wise

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Steph Worsley — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 19:38:24 GMT

I think its alays owner preference more than anything, (mainly cos we used to charge for nail clips even under ga!) so would ask any admit if they wanted them clipping

personally i clip all 4 paws of mine but they are 100% indoors and i value my legs!!!!

Re: Cutting cats claws?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 19:32:18 GMT

I only ever clip front claws on cats - the back ones they need as running spikes to get out of the way. my own cats get their nails clipped at every opportunity (which isnt as often as I would like - if you met them you would understand) I used to ask owners if it was an indoor or outdoor cat on admission , if indoor I would just ask them if they wanted nails cutting