Pain and adverse behavior in declawed cats

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the impact of onychectomy (declawing) upon subsequent development of back pain and unwanted behavior in cohorts of treated and control cats housed in two different locations. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study. In total, there was 137 declawed and 137 non-declawed cats, of which 176 were owned cats (88 declawed, 88 non-declawed) and 98 were shelter cats (49 declawed and 49 non-declawed). All cats were physically examined for signs of pain and barbering. The previous 2 years of medical history were reviewed for documented unwanted behavior such as inappropriate elimination and biting with minimal provocation and aggression. All declawed cats were radiographed for distal limb abnormalities, including P3 (third phalanx) bone fragments. The associations of declaw surgery with the outcomes of interest were examined using χ analysis, two sample t-tests and manual, backwards, stepwise logistic regression. Results Significant increases in the odds of back pain (odds ratio [OR] 2.9), periuria/perichezia (OR 7.2), biting (OR 4.5) and barbering (OR 3.06) occurred in declawed compared with control cats. Of the 137 declawed cats, 86 (63%) showed radiographic evidence of residual P3 fragments. The odds of back pain (OR 2.66), periuria/perichezia (OR 2.52) and aggression (OR 8.9) were significantly increased in declawed cats with retained P3 fragments compared with those declawed cats without. Optimal surgical technique, with removal of P3 in its entirety, was associated with fewer adverse outcomes and lower odds of these outcomes, but operated animals remained at increased odds of biting (OR 3.0) and undesirable habits of elimination (OR 4.0) compared with non-surgical controls. Conclusions and relevance Declawing cats increases the risk of unwanted behaviors and may increase risk for developing back pain. Evidence of inadequate surgical technique was common in the study population. Among declawed cats, retained P3 fragments further increased the risk of developing back pain and adverse behaviors. The use of optimal surgical technique does not eliminate the risk of adverse behavior subsequent to onychectomy.

Pain and Problem Behavior in Cats and Dogs

“…Specific reports of similar chronic pain related problem aggression in cats appear to be missing in the literature, but such responses are believed to occur in relation to both arthritis and dental disease [11][12][13][14] and typically manifest as poorer mood [13] and defensiveness in relation to interaction [13,15,16] but also increased fearfulness in some cases [13]. A retrospective cohort study of 137 declawed cats indicated that declawed cats were at increased risk (odds ratio of 2.66) of having back pain and nearly nine times more likely to show signs of aggression [17]. Central sensitization (sometimes called "wind-up pain"), in which there is increased sensitivity towards pain in body regions not initially affected by a painful lesion, is also believed to occur in the cat, resulting in aggression when touched in this non-painful region [18]; the absence of a lesion associated with the area may lead to the mistaken supposition that the cat's problem is "behavioral" rather than pain-related.…”

Late-onset osteosarcoma after onychectomy in a cat

“…17 However, one study found that 63% of the onychectomized cats evaluated had P3 fragments left behind at the time of surgery, and those cats were the most at risk for postoperative complications related to the onychectomy procedure. 16…”

“…Onychectomy has been linked with numerous complications, including pain, 14,32–34 infection, 14,33,35 hemorrhage, 33,35 swelling, 33 lameness, 14,33–35 incomplete healing, 35 reluctance to jump, 14 reluctance to scratch, 14 chewing at the digits, 14 neuropathic pain, 14 neuropraxia, 35 claw regrowth, 14,16,33–35 protrusion of the second phalanx, 33,35 callused and misshapen toe pads, 33,35,36 tissue necrosis, 35 increased aggression and biting behavior, 37 inappropriate elimination, 16,34,37 back pain, 16 muscle loss, 34 barbering, 16 and flexor tendon contracture. 36,38 Based on the current case, neoplasia may also be considered a potential complication of onychectomy in cats.…”

Surgical and Behavioral Relationships With Welfare

“…Surgical methods and adherence to appropriate technique affect the outcome for declawing, as with all surgeries. A recent study demonstrated that 63% of cats had radiographic evidence of P3 remnants, and this was most highly correlated with back pain, periuria, and aggression (128). These results were seen far out from the surgery date.…”

“…It should come as no surprise that evidence shows declawing causes pain in cats, in part due to a number of surgical sequelae including retained bone fragments, osteomyelitis, excessive tissue handling during surgery, and complications from bandaging (124). While pain is an expected outcome of any surgery and should be ameliorated appropriately, there is evidence that there is short-and long-term pain due to onychectomy (124)(125)(126)(127)(128)(129). Behaviors indicative of pain, such as forepaw shaking and laying on their side, were seen in cats that were declawed compared to those having a sham procedure performed (125).…”