If you are willing to participate during your cat’s next wellness visit or as a separate appointment they would receive:

• Free wellness blood work

• Free joint and back radiographs (X-rays) with results from a radiologist

• Free pre-appointment calming medication

• Free back feet nail trim

To be included cats must be:

• Older than 2.5 years old

• Indoor only or have only supervised access to outdoors

• Front feet declawed only with back nails that haven’t been trimmed in at least 3 weeks

Cats that have uncontrolled hyperthyroidism or other metabolic disease, previous orthopedic trauma, surgery or congenital condition cannot be included in the study. Cats included should NOT have had any steroids (topical, oral, or injectable) for the past 3 months. If anyone in the home (human or other animal) is using ANY topical OTC or prescription steroid cream over the past 3 months, the cat cannot participate.

*Examples: lotions, creams, or shampoos containing “corticosteroids.” These would typically be used for dermatitis, to relieve/soothe skin inflammation, itching, rashes, or eczema. Some examples of corticosteroids are: hydrocortisone, betamethasone, clobetasone, triamcinolone (many end in xxxx-sone). Some examples of brand names are: Unicort, Dermasmooth, Diprolene, Topicort, Synalar, Cloderm, Cortaid, Synacort, Elocon

If your cat qualifies please call (281-480-5500), email ([email protected]), or text (281-462-5579) the clinic to make an appointment with Dr. Moran for the “Declaw Study” at your convenience. The owner’s responsibility will be the normal exam cost for the wellness appointment, other services desired, and to pick up and administer a pre-appointment anxiety medication (gabapentin) to facilitate lower stress handling for the X-rays.

Sincerely,

Nicole Martell-Moran, DVM, MPH, DABVP (Feline)