sedatives

Question
As an owner of 4 cats I had a friend ask me advice on how to handle her cat when clipping his nails.  At one vet appt for shots the cat spun around and bit my friend down to the bone.  This required 2 stitches for her.  The next time her husband went and the cat spun around and sliced the skin open between his figures which resulted in a bad infection in his hand.  (He stubbornly refused to go for emergency treatment until later that night.)  She wondered if there is a mild sedative that can be given to the cat to allow them to clip his nails every few weeks.  Her vet told her there is nothing and that the cat would need to be anesthetized.  She was also told that there is no muzzle type device for cats because they don't have longer snouts like dogs.  What would they use on flatter faced pug type dogs then?  I suggested they try a "lampshade" collar.  This was until about 2 years ago a very friendly, docile cat.  His personality seemed to have changed following a visit to a different vet where my fried was not present for the nail clipping.  The vet tech brought him to a back room to do this.  I thought they might have clipped the nail back to far, causing pain, and this traumatized the poor thing.  Any suggestions?  Thank you in advance for your help.

Laurie

Answer
Sounds like this kitty has been traumatized of 'some sort' either mentally or physically.

MY suggestion is this especially if nail clipping has given him aggressive tendencies.

You can 1. take him to the vet for an injectable sedative (if they call this anesthesia- find another vet)

or 2. get lots of sisal style scratching posts so he can remove his old nail husks. MANY cats will chew their nails shorter.

anytime he goes to the vet for an anesthetic/sedated procedure, have his nails done.

good luck!