Seeking Vet

My husband is a vet, but he's in NE St Pete so thats probably not going to help you. I wanted to just also say that the laser surgery is alot easier on the cat. They recover alot faster if you can find a place that does it that way.

I've heard real good things about Oakhurst AH in Seminole.

We went to Dr. Bryan on Central Ave. It's Live Oak Veterinary. He's a very nice doctor. I don't know about whether his costs are expensive, because we never compared prices.

Hi M. - I am assuming you want a vet near to you, so I don't have advice on that, but you can call a few and get general pricing info (cost of office visit, annuals, etc). When I had my two cats declawed 11 years ago, I didn't know that they actually cut off the first joint of each "finger." I cried like crazy when I picked them up and realized what I had done. I thought they just took the nail out, but they can't do that, apparently because of regrowth and infection risk. Anyway, these days laser surgery is available. It is supposed to be less painful for the kitty, but I would definitely do extensive research on declawing. It changes your cat's paws forever. My one cat never again did flips while we teased him with cat toys, not even after he healed. However, he and my other cat are fine. Good luck in making your decision.

yes, i do know a good "resonable priced" vet. they are in st. petersburg 25th st. & 30th ave n. "animal medical hospital" is the name, and i have been takeing my two cats there for years. my brother uses them too. there are three or four vets there.good luck!

I can't really advise about the vet, as I'm not sure of any in Seminole. Mine is in Largo, and I really love the clinic, but they aren't low priced. There is a place in Clearwater (on Drew St.) called Animal Health Care Clinic that has pretty reasonable prices, but it would be quite a drive from Seminole. If you choose a Banfield office (the ones in Petsmart), be forewarned that they have very good prices for shots, etc., if you sign up for their wellness plans, but if your pet is sick it can be very expensive.
As for declawing, I personally do not agree with it. It is comparable to amputation of your own finger at the first knuckle. So it is pretty painful for your kitty. It also tends to make cats biters. Since they have no defense with their claws they tend to bite more than cats with claws (oftentimes unprovoked). You may want to try scratching posts and cardboard scratch pads. Get a water-filled spray bottle to spray your cat when she scratches where she isn't supposed to. There are also little claw covers called soft paws that go over the claws to make them dull, but they have to be reapplied as they fall off. And if you start clipping her nails now while she's young she will get used to it and this can keep her claws from causing as much damage. If you don't know how, ask the vet when you go and they will show you. Or you could call the shelter where you got her and they will likely show you if you bring her back in.
If you do decide to get her declawed you should do it while she's young (under 6 months), only do the front paws, and definately find a vet that does laser declaw. It is much less painful, quicker recovery, and their paws look less mutilated. Doing this kind of declaw makes the procedure itself easier on the cat, but it doesn't change the possible behavior problems that may result. Good luck with your decision!

please don't - de clawing means they cut theend of her toes off-look at your hand- would you cut off the end of your fingers to get rid of the nail- then she has short stubby paws, and heaven forbid she gets outside she has NO defense!!
Train her- get a pad for her to claw, and make a game of triming her nails, my guys love to cuddle and that is when I trim them- please don't mutilate her
best wishes-kia

I take my 2 cats to Petsmart in St pete. They are great ,with them. They also have a healthplan that is similar to a health ins plan for $19.95 a month for the first year. Covers shots, office visits,spaying or neutering,etc. There is a one time start up fee. Used to be $99 not sure now. I would recommend them. They do not do declawing. There is this stuff called sticky paws that is like double sided tape. you put on your furniture. My cats hate it so it does work. Then there is always the faithful water spray bottle.
I myself do not believe in declawing. It can be a very painful experience for your kitten. anyway good luck.

I know everyone has their own opinion but if you feel you want to declaw your kitten now is the time to do it. The younger they are they faster they recover. They also have less pain because they aren't very big and don't have a lot of weight to put on their feet during their recovery time. I do not agree it makes them biters. All of my cats with different personalities have all been declawed and have never bitten anyone! I worked at animal hospitals for 10 yrs and never heard anyone complain about biting after a declaw. I do agree that if your cat will be an indoor/outdoor cat that you do not declaw so she has a defense system. If she is going to be truly indoor, then by all means. Both of my cats right now are declawed in the front and back for medical reasons and I did not see any change in their behaviors after doing so. The laser surgery is better, less pain and less healing time. But if you find an experienced vet who will do it the old fashion way you and your cat will be just fine. I too would recommend Oakhurst AH in Seminole. The guys who own that place and most dr's that work that teach at SPC college for the veterinary technician program. They are great! Good luck.