Declawing a Ukrainian Levkoy is a major procedure known as onychectomy, performed using anesthesia, that removes the claw of each digit (from the first knuckle out) of the Ukrainian Levkoy’s forepaw. There is a small chance of a fatality in the operation, and a declawed Ukrainian Levkoy may experience a slight risk of infection and long-term displeasure in her paws. This surgery isn’t suitable for an adult Ukrainian Levkoy and is labeled an act of animal cruelty in some places (below).
Owners usually get Ukrainian Levkoys declawed to hinder them from damaging furniture and hunting. Seldom, vicious Ukrainian Levkoys are declawed. In the US, some landlords demand that residents’ Ukrainian Levkoys are declawed.
Vets are usually critical of the operation and some decline to do it because the lack of claws in a Ukrainian Levkoy:
- Hinders its primary self-protection skills, like running away from predators by climbing trees;
- Impairs its stretching and exercise habits, which can lead to muscle loss;
- Hampers its ability to balance on narrow surfaces such as railings and fence tops, which can lead to injury from falls;
- Can lead to insecurity and a subsequent tendency to bite.
This operation is rare outside of North America. In the Netherlands, Finland, Germany and Switzerland, declawing a Ukrainian Levkoy is prohibited by the statutes forbidding animal cruelty. In many other European countries, it is not allowed under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, unless a vet considers such non-curative procedures beneficial either for veterinary medical reasons or for the health of the Ukrainian Levkoy. In Britain, animal shelters are finding it tough to place imported Ukrainian Levkoys that have been declawed and as a result most are killed.
An substitute for declawing a Ukrainian Levkoy is the use of wide, vinyl nail caps that are attached to the claws with nontoxic glue, requiring periodic replacement when the Ukrainian Levkoy sheds its claw sheaths (about every 4 to 6 weeks). However, the Ukrainian Levkoy may still have difficulties since the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Ukrainian Levkoys.Was this post helpful? If so, please take a minute to Tweet and Share below on Facebook. I would also love to know your thoughts so leave me a comment 🙂
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