>In the ferret, the claws are part of the toe bone, so the ferret has 5
>toes per foot only.  To remove the claw will invoke much more problems
>than it will solve.  The claw is part of the weight bearing portion of the
>foot.  Balance and agility will be compromised by the loss of the claw.
>Infection to the bone is much more likely.  Bone infection is all but
>impossible to control and cure and can result in some horrible
>disfigurement and even death.
 
just as a note, the claws are part of the toe bone in cats also.  declawing
a cat involves removing the part of the bone from which the claw grows.  it
can also result in bone infection, disfigurement and death.  besides which,
since a cats claws are retractable, if they are kept properly trimmed then
a cat is not going to cause as much accidental damage as a dog or ferret.
declawing is a very dangerous and unnecessary operation in any species.  it
is illegal in many countries.  don't declaw your ferrets, and don't declaw
anything else either!
 
siani
[Posted in FML issue 2955]