I have to disagree with what they are saying -- all they say is that tendonectomy causes discomfort. So does spaying and neutering -- should we disagree with spaying and neutering too, because it is also a discomforting surgery that prevents household damage? I don't think that tendonectomy should be placed up with declawing -- the cat is not getting his claws removed, and he can still use them. They cats don't need painkillers or other drugs. In my opinion, if a cat needs to have something done in order to keep it from going to a shelter, a tendonectomy is a valid option.

This is what my vet has to say:

My preferred technique is called a Tendonectomy. This also involves anesthesia, like declawing, but no joints are incised and only mild and temporary discomfort is the result. The small tendons running along the bottom of each toe that allow the claws to be pulled in or flexed are cut through a tiny incision over each one.

The vast majority are up and acting normal very soon after surgery, the opposite of declawing where most are cowering in the back of the kennel with their paws tucked underneath them, even with pain killers. Most cats with the tendon surgery can go home the same day, certainly by the following morning and they do not need pain killers, bandages, etc.

One thing to keep in mind with tendonectomies is that your cat must allow nail trimming as the nails are still there and still grow, but they won’t be able to wear off the old growth by scratching and sharpening them anymore. So this procedure is not for the cats who become Tasmanian devils when they are restrained for manicures!