In a kitten, only the nail is removed and the nail is not attached to the tendon. It is a minor surgery. Now when they get older and the nail is attached to the tendon or removing the back nails which are attached to the tendon from birth, that is cruel because it is very painful for the cat, I agree. The procedure was described to me by the vet before I had it done. It is not the same for kittens as it is for adult cats.
Listed below are the methods of declawing. As you will see none of them involve removing just the claw. They all involve amputation or severing a tendon.
Nail Clipper Onychectomy
The nail clipper onychetomy is performed by using a guillotine-like instrument (Resco nail clipper) to sever the third bone from the rest of the toe. Nail clipper onychetomy is major surgery that involves the use of general anesthesia.
Nail clipper onychectomy is an invasive procedure and requires a couple nights stay at the animal hospital.
Scalpel Disarticulation
Scalpel disarticulation involves using a scalpel to sever the last bone in the toe. Like nail clipper onychectomy, scapel disarticulation is an invasive procedure. It is performed under general anesthesia.
Laser Onychectomy
Laser onychectomy is the latest form of declawing kittens. The procedure involves using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to remove the third toe and nail bed.
An Alternative Method
Flexor tendonectomy is a procedure in which a veterinarian cuts through the tendon that allows for a feline to extend and retract its claws. Flexor tendonectomy is less invasive. However, nails will still need to be clipped as uncut nails may growth into foot pads causing pain.
www.Funkstownvet.com/declaw.html
www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm
I grew up in a vet's office ... I've seen it done and it is an ugly and very painful surgery. While the tendon may or may not be attached in kittens does not change the fact that the third bone of the toe is removed.
Please understand this surgical procedure before you wave it off as no big deal, that's all I ask. Your vet obviously simplified the description of the surgery ... for what reason, I'll never know.