[Gpdd] RE: HEALTH -gas and declawing cats

[Michelle Melaragno]

Thanks to folks who replied about my gassy little "Domino".  Does anyone
know the name of the baby gas drops and what the dosage might be?

Regarding declawing cats...I hate it (this is just my personal feeling!)
I worked as a Vet Tech for some time for a vet who also hated to do it,
but could actually do it without the usual disfiguration you see on the
paws of most declawed cats.  One of my cats that was left by my ex is
declawed.  What's left of her toes are quite gnarled and she still walks
tenderly and won't jump down from anything higher than a chair seat
because of the pain it causes her.  She was declawed about 6-7 years
ago!!!  A very inexpensive, humane and easy alternative is to get your
cat accustomed to having its claws clipped every couple of weeks.  You
can get special cat nail clippers for about $6-8 (or for even cheaper,
use your own fingernail clippers!)  Every two weeks I hunt down (in my
house!) all of my six cats...one by one, I plunk them in my lap as I
sit, with their back to my chest and belly facing away from me, left arm
supporting kitty under the front legs...and I clip away.  Because I do
it so regularly, I have little real protest from anyone other than
Monster-Boy...but then, that's why I call him Monster-Boy!  You can
practice daily by putting your cat into that position in your lap and
with your fingers, gently pushing each toe to extend each claw...keep
moving on to the next toe then next foot.  As with any animals, watch
the quick!  Cats are pretty easy because you can just take the
dagger-like, hook shaped end off to prevent arm and furniture and G-pig
damage!  Let me know how it works for you!  As an extra note, the
special cat nail clippers are excellent to use to trim piggie
toes...they are very precise!

Michelle