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Animal Update: The Truth Behind Declawing

(CBS SF) - Declawing cats - that's today's topic on Animal Update with Dr. Jack Aldridge, Director of Veterinary Services at the San Francisco SPCA.

There is some controversy about whether or not it's inhumane to declaw cats.

"Many people see declawing as a quick fix if a cat is shredding the furniture or scratching people," reasoned Aldridge. "The San Francisco SPCA will not perform declawing surgery and we never recommend it. Declawing cats can have serious medical and behavioral consequences and most true cat lovers consider it inhumane and unnecessary."

"It's illegal to perform this surgery in San Francisco," he continued.

KCBS' Jeff Bell reports:

What's involved in declawing?

"Declawing involves surgery under anesthesia to amputate the first joint of each toe, including the bone. This can be a painful procedure," Aldridge warned, "and sometimes results in infection and lameness."

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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