Cat Claws
Cat claws are scythe-shaped and built up in somewhat the same way as human skin. They are also made of the same substance as human nails i.e. keratin. They are an extension of the epidermis which is joined to the end of the bone. The external-most layer of the claws is the cover or the sheath. In the middle part of the claw, there are vessels and nerves. The sheath is at times filed or completely finished by the cat via scratching. This, the cat includes in its self-grooming. It usually takes 6 to 9 months to grow back at the rate of 1.9 millimetres per week.
There are 5 toes on the front feet and 4 on the back accompanied with an equal number of claws. This is the normal number. However, there are cats that exhibit abnormality in this respect. A certain Moggy from Ontario, Canada has a total of 27 toes which is also a Guinness Book World Record. If you want to get your cat in a cat show, an abnormality like this may hinder it.
Cats have the ability to draw in and draw out their claws with the help of specialised muscles, tendons and ligaments. Claws help cats in various ways. They aid a cat in climbing, balancing, digging, catching its prey firmly and also as a tool of protection.
Cat Claw Infection and Diseases
Cat claws are most vulnerable to breaking and tearing. This is called Trauma and is nothing severe. However, if you find your cat licking its paws and limping, you need to take it to a vet! In case of bleeding, you can use a home-remedy. You can either apply silver nitrate on the wounded claw or a mixture of water and cornstarch or flour before you can take your cat to the vet. Such a wound must be professionally handled as it can acquire an infection quite easily.
Primarily, there are 2 types of infections: bacterial infection and viral infection. Bacterial infection is when only one claw or those of the same foot are infected. Viral infection is when more than 2 claws or more than 1 foot is infected. Viral infection may also be because of leukaemia which can prove to be fatal.
Pemiphigus is an autoimmune disease that may afflict the claws as well. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that affects the claws and the claw-bed. There is also the compulsive nail biting in cats that although apparently is not that big of a deal but it is advised that you bring it up in the next session with the vet.
Symptoms of Infections
If your cat has a broken claw which refuses to heal, it might be because of an infection. The presence of swelling, blood and puss also indicate in the same direction.
Treatment
The treatment of nail infection depends upon the type of infection incurred. In case of no infection and there is just a broken or chipped nail, the vet will simply clip off the broken part. He will further prescribe a topical anti biotic to prevent infection. If the vet suspects an infection, he will first perform a few tests to determine the type of infection and then, according to the severity of the infection treat the cat. This could range from a simple course of oral antibiotics to complicated medications, especially in case of leukaemia.
Declawing
The main idea behind declawing a cat is to keep your furniture, wooden accessories and human and other companions safe from being scratched. It is performed in America and Canada only while many people living even there think of it as barbaric and cruel. Declawing is an elaborate process. It includes removing not only the claw but also the first knuckle. Hence, it is normal for your cat to feel pain and get uncomfortable initially. Getting your cat declawed might also cause bleeding, infection, lameness, an abnormal extending of the bone into the claw or general behavioural issues such as biting, having litter box problems, etc.
How to Stop Scratching
The cats have an instinctive impulse to scratch. They do this to demarcate their territory, to let other cats know that this is their domain. Hence, it is important for them to do so. Instead of stopping them from scratching, you can make arrangements so that they may use other things to scratch on. Although declawing is an option, but like discussed above, it is a laborious process that not only inflicts pain but can also cause a number of other problems already discussed.
Since your main motto for getting your cat declawed was to protect your cat from scratching your furniture, in alternatives we will look for how to prevent this. You can start by buying a scratch post which you can encourage your cat to use instead of the furniture. In case your house is small and has no room for a scratch post, there are scratch posts that can be hung on the door handles readily available in the market. There is also a variety of other types of scratch posts available in the market to choose from. To protect your furniture while making your cat adapt to the scratch post, cover it with thick plastic or double-sided tape. You may also spray a catnip smelling spray or rub dried catnip on the scratch post to lure your cat towards it.
Using water spray when your cat is scratching the furniture is a good alternative but will only work while youre around. You can use orange peel as a deterrent because cats abhor its citrus smell. The ideal place to keep the scratch post is near your cats favourite sleeping lace as cats tend to scratch after taking a nap. You can also include nail trimming in the cats regimen or use Soft Claws. In case you find your cat going to attack your furniture again, gently pick it up and put it down near the scratch post. If it uses the scratch post, shower it with praise. Remember! NEVER punish the cat physically for not listening to you because it will only have a negative effect on the cat. A firm NO should more than do it. Gradually, with time and a lot of patience on your part, your cat will learn to use the scratch post!
Preventive Measures
The best you can do to avoid any untoward incident concerning your cats claws is to get it clipped every week or at least once every two weeks. Start this process at an early age so the cat becomes used to this routine. You can use either the human nail clippers but it is preferred that you buy cat slippers since they have been designed especially for cats and will be easier to use. Press the top and bottom of the paw to squeeze out the nail and clip it leaving at least 2 mm above the dermis. You can also get it done by a vet.
The younger cats have a tendency to scratch their nails on scratch posts if they are indoor cats and on trees if they are outdoor cats. This keeps their nails short. But older cats or cats without a scratch pad can grow long nails. To keep them from any claw related injury, keep them clipped. Also examine the claws from time to time and start this practice from an early age so that the cat is used to it.
