As with any surgery, a lot of the end result has to do with the person conducting the surgery. I take my animals to a GREAT veterinary surgeon. What I will do when he retires, I am unsure of. When our cat was declawed as a LAST resort, we encountered no behavioral problems watsoever. The healing period was short and consisted of a slight gimpiness and paw shaking for 36 hours. Do what you have to do, Gritty. In my mind's eye it sure beats euthanasia or putting the cat outside.