Polydactyl cat nail removal.... Yes or no??

[Katie_daily]

We have a 9 month old cat who only has three toes on her front feet, but has an extra toe on each front leg, kind of looks like she has little thumbs. In both of these extra toes, she has a really thick claw growing.....think, as thick as dog nails. They obviously don't get worn down, and they are growing curled, so I tried to clip them recently. She went berserk (understandably), and bit/scratched me, despite my husband holding her.
So my question is, is it possible to have these claws removed by the vet? I don't want to distress her every couple of months by trying to clip them. They are super thick and really dark, so very hard to see where the quick is.
Thank you in advance for any advice!

 

[Maxidoodle]

Might be worth a trip to the vets, to see what they suggest, perhaps they may just be able to clip them for you.

 

[Shady]

I would certainly discuss it as I have seen some nasty accidents when there is an extra claw there. Because they are not weight bearing the surgery is quite simple and recovery quick

 

[Katie_daily]

Might be worth a trip to the vets, to see what they suggest, perhaps they may just be able to clip them for you.

Thank you for replying. Yes, I plan to have a chat with the vet next month when my dog has to go. But just wanted to put the feelers out to see if I'm being awful or not, in wanting them removed. Thank you

 

[Katie_daily]

I would certainly discuss it as I have seen some nasty accidents when there is an extra claw there. Because they are not weight bearing the surgery is quite simple and recovery quick

Perfect. Thank you . I just wanted to see if other people think I'm being reasonable enough bringing it up with the vet..... I hadn't thought of nasty accidents with it. Thank you

 

[Equi]

The toes are abnormal, so it isn't as if you are doing it for selfish reasons (like those who take them off so the cat can't scratch stuff.) It would be perfectly reasonable to take off these particular claws to help the comfort of the cat.

 

[PurBee]

I had a stray female turn up years ago that had thumbs. The extra digit was quite low down though so she could use her paw like a hand and grab things. We temporarily called her thumby, she was very cute but rehomed her once we got her tame, as she terrorised my 2 existing cats at the time. I would love to have kept her as her character was adorable but they never got on.
I can imagine if the extra digit is quite high up the foreleg and with a massive claw as you describe, its more likely that could get caught/snagged when climbing trees or going amidst bushes etc. I’d certainly inquire with your vet as it sounds like its growing unusually.

 

[Katie_daily]

The toes are abnormal, so it isn't as if you are doing it for selfish reasons (like those who take them off so the cat can't scratch stuff.) It would be perfectly reasonable to take off these particular claws to help the comfort of the cat.

Thank you for your reply. Yep, while I wish she wouldn't scratch stuff, like my carpet, wall paper, curtains , the extra toes don't do anything so you're right. Thanks!

 

[Katie_daily]

I had a stray female turn up years ago that had thumbs. The extra digit was quite low down though so she could use her paw like a hand and grab things. We temporarily called her thumby, she was very cute but rehomed her once we got her tame, as she terrorised my 2 existing cats at the time. I would love to have kept her as her character was adorable but they never got on.
I can imagine if the extra digit is quite high up the foreleg and with a massive claw as you describe, its more likely that could get caught/snagged when climbing trees or going amidst bushes etc. I’d certainly inquire with your vet as it sounds like its growing unusually.

Aw wee rascal terrorising your cats . Yeah that's true, I'd now be worried about her snagging the extra toes on trees. Thank you

 

[PurBee]

Aw wee rascal terrorising your cats . Yeah that's true, I'd now be worried about her snagging the extra toes on trees. Thank you

Dose the extra toe work, as in can she move it, or does it just hang there immobile?

 

[Maxidoodle]

Thank you for replying. Yes, I plan to have a chat with the vet next month when my dog has to go. But just wanted to put the feelers out to see if I'm being awful or not, in wanting them removed. Thank you

Sorry my post wasn’t particularly helpful , I don’t want to read and run. You do realise that we need photos

 

[Katie_daily]

Dose the extra toe work, as in can she move it, or does it just hang there immobile?

I don't think it does much, it's not flopping about, but I don't think it's much use to her. Looks cute though

 

[Katie_daily]

Sorry my post wasn’t particularly helpful , I don’t want to read and run. You do realise that we need photos ❤

Oh here no, it was helpful, so thank you! She also has a weird keratin growth under the same paw.... Its like a little grey horn. It probably needs removed too. This rescue kitty is costing us .

 

[Katie_daily]

I don't think it does much, it's not flopping about, but I don't think it's much use to her. Looks cute though

I've just caught her using it to grab my jumper

 

[Maxidoodle]

Oh she is just lovely, look at those special toes . We have a “Tuxedo” cat as they call them here, I had to call her Jess obviously due to postman pat

 

[PurBee]

The left toe claw looks very thick, its not like a normal claw is it - can she retract the claw with it being so thick?
She’s lovely
Your vet will likely suggest removal of the claw too, as in some unique cases its likely necessary.

Our ‘thumby’ cat had full use of the claws as they were thin and sharp like normal foot claws, so she could retract them.

One time, i got in from work, to find thumby laying fully stretched-out on her back asleep on the sofa, with her front legs stretched above her head and her thumby ‘hands’ were high in the air giving me a thumbs up! It was hilarious!

 

[SEL]

We had a cat with thumbs when I was little (Mog), but it was closer to the floor than yours so he wore his thumb claw down much the same as the others - he could pick up food with his little hand which was always funny to watch.

That claw does look quite thick and if it curls back its going to be sore. I think the vet would be ok with removing that.

Cute though isn't it?!