Emergency Kitty Manicure

I got a call with an unusual problem so I asked Dr. Hodgkins for help. David said:

I spoke with you on Cat Chat® about an older rescued cat that has claws that are beginning to grow into his pads. The nails are extremely thick and only a little can be trimmed at a time. Also to add to the problem is the tips of his pads have callus like growths that have thickened through the years reducing the clearance between the pad and the nail. The vet has always said to trim what we could that removing the nails or the growths would be a last resort. Surgery has always been a concern since this cat has always had an issue with upper respiratory problems. His age has been estimated at 13 years. He has done wonderful since getting off kitty crack and no longer throws up his food daily.

We are going to put all of the cats on Platinum Performance. The German shepherd is 2 years old now, should he get the teaspoon per 10 pounds. He weighs 107. We are feeding him 2.5 cups of Purina Pro plan for large dogs plus home cooking and/or canned food from your good list.

Does he need the full amount of Platinum Performance?

David in Kentucky

I turned this over to the Official Vet of CAT CHAT®, Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, thinking there might be something like selective claw removal that does NOT involve the entire amputation since I know how dreadful declawing can be. And this was her reply:

“The claws CAN be cut or trimmed, it may take special equipment. There are electric trimmers on the market e.g. the kind that nail techs use to give us all our beautiful manicures. The claws just have to be cut regularly. Declawing is really lucrative for the vet, but if I get an ingrown fingernail, I sure as hell don’t want my last digit amputated to resolve the problem!!! I can tell you that amputation at this time in the cat’s life is going to be a nightmare; I would not go anywhere near such a procedure on this cat. Adult cats do not do well after declaw, the recovery can be extremely long and painful. And heaven help her if they get infected. Have David contact a good groomer in his area, one that does a lot of cat grooming. Most groomers know a lot more about nail care than vets.”

So there’s your answer – just cut as much as you can frequently. As for putting the cats on Platinum Performance, you’re going to see some dramatic changes in their energy and outlet on life – be prepared for them to ‘turn the clock back” several years and regain youthful behavior. As for the GSD, since they are tremendously at risk for hip problems I would definitely put him on the full amount of Platinum, since he has just now reached adulthood for a large breed dog. However I am dismayed at the kibble you have chosen for him, David – you’re home cooking the protein portion of his meal, or using one of my approved canned foods, but you’re using a kibble with ingredients THE DOG BIBLE clearly explain as not in his best interest, to put it politely. PLEASE learn what those words on the label mean and I am sure you will run to the pet store to get a high quality dry food (or www.PetFoodDirect.com where you get a 20% discount if you put “RADIOPET” in the coupon code box). It’s so hard to be such a generous, dedicated and conscientious owner as you are – going the extra mile to give Platinum to all your creatures- and then to find out that the cornerstone of your dear dog’s diet is not what you believed it to be. Better late than never! If you do get The Dog Bible please send me your address and the dogs and cats names so I can send you an autographed bookplate – or just spend time on my website and read the Q&A’s and Blogs about canine nutrition. I know you’ll do the right thing right away.

Tracie