Question: What happens when I get my cat declawed?
Answer: Feline declawing should always be the very last resort in attempting to control your cats scratching behavior. It is an elective and highly controversial procedure involving the amputation of your cat’s third phalanx, which attaches the nail to the last bone. For comparison, declawing would be like cutting off a human finger at the very last joint of each finger. The American Association of Feline Practitioners strongly opposes this procedure. Scratching is a normal behavior that your cat needs to do in order to help stretch their body and maintain the claw motion needed for climbing and hunting. There are MANY other alternatives to declawing, and all should be pursued before surgery.
Question: Can my dog eat raw garlic? I have heard its great for warding off colds.
Answer: Nope! I would stay away from this member of the alliums family, which includes onions, leeks and chives. Ingesting garlic can cause anemia by damaging red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. This can lead to elevated heart rates, pale gums, weakness and collapse. The toxic dose of garlic can vary from pooch to pooch and therefore should be avoided! If your pup ingests garlic, take him to your vet.
Please send your questions to Dr. Marina Shepelev at OwegoPawPrints@gmail.com, or visit www.emvets.com.
Dr. Marina Shepelev is an associate veterinarian practicing medicine at the Endless Mountain Owego Vet Center. She welcomes weekly questions concerning your furry friends.
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