declawing rabbits

Question
i'm doing research on declawing rabbits, but i can only find negative sites on this topic. do you happen to know where i could find neutral information on the procedure and the after effects?
i know i already asked you this question but i think something got messed up along the way.
~thanks


Answer
Dear April,

Yes, you did already ask this question, and I answered it last week.  In case you didn't receive it (the AllExperts site was down this weekend, so I'm not sure you got the response), here it is again:

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Dear April,

The fact that you can't find any positive or even neutral information on declawing rabbits should raise a big, red flag: there isn't any. Declawing rabbits is as mutilating as it would be to declaw a dog or cut the terminal phalange off the toes of a human. Like dogs and humans (but unlike cats), rabbits *walk* on the last phalange of their digits. Because declawing involves the removal of that last phalange, the procedure causes very serious biomechanical problems and is crippling to the animal.

Imagine what it would be like for you to try to walk without the last phalange on your toes. You'd be able to do it, though it would be painful. But eventually, because your muscles and connective tissue would have to constantly compensate for the lack of balance that your terminal phalanges provided, you would suffer from myriad musculoskeletal problems, from fascitis to arthritis, to connective tissue damage and constant pain.

No ethical veterinarian who is educated about rabbit anatomy would ever consider declawing a rabbit. You may already have found this article, but here's one explaining why:

http://www.rabbit.org/care/declawing.html

So if you're doing research on the procedure, then I would say you need look no further. Good, ethical veterinarians will not do it because it is cruel and crippling to the animal, and results in a host of biomechanical problems later in life.

If a bunny claws and scratches to be let down when she's held, then declawing is not the answer. Rather, proper education of the human family is in order. Most rabbits do not like to be held or carried. They are prey items, and many feel very threatened and frightened when they are held against their will. That's why the wise human will learn to interact with the bunny on her level, and gradually gain her trust:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html

If digging is the problem the human caregiver is trying to solve, then declawing is not the answer. Spay/neuter and providing the bunny with an enriched, stimulating environment will stop a rabbit from digging and destructive behavior. Declawing a digging rabbit would be a bit akin to removing someone's vocal chords because you don't agree with what they have to say.

Declawing rabbits is pretty much a black-and-white issue. There *are* no positive aspects to this cruel and unnecessary procedure, and it simply should never be done.

I hope this helps. Please write back if you have any other questions.