Topic: Just been spayed... (Read 5449 times)

sheryl · « **Reply #31 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:39:59 AM »

Our vets use stitches under the skin and glue and there are no stitches to pull at so no collar needed - I dont understand why all vets dont use this method?

Hippykitty · « **Reply #30 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:07:08 AM »

The ferals have always been midline spayed with invisible stitches. The stitches seem to be beneath the skin so that they can't be torn. They're also soluble and don't need to be removed. Maybe this could be done with more cats to save this silly collar routine.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #29 on:** March 16, 2009, 07:57:04 AM »

i have never had any issues with cats wearing collars. Ironically when I had Kizzy spayed, i got them to glue her to avoid using the collar (She was a lot more aggressive then) and she irritated her skin at the edge of where she had been shaved and still had to wear a collar for 10 days!! normally i give them an hour's break plus mealtimes, but she had to wear it for the full 10 days. i have also had to have 2 males with a buster collar due to undescended testicles and both were fine - one hadn't even been with me 24 hours when he had to wear one and had no issues

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #28 on:** March 15, 2009, 22:08:34 PM »

I'm not sure any of these alternative collars are worth the extra money. Stick anything that size around a cat's neck and it's going to think it's being strangled and it will fight against that.

I have only once had to force a cat to wear a buster collar, and that was a male following a nasty crypto castrate. The surgery was so severe and deep and the cat had a history of biting at inappropriate things, that I balanced the evils and the collar won. It was a week and a half of pure hell though and the poor cat lost a quarter of his bodyweight.

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #27 on:** March 15, 2009, 21:57:14 PM »

would this stuff do the job? http://www.thefind.com/pets/info-pet-wrap-self-adhering-bandage

Mark · « **Reply #26 on:** March 15, 2009, 21:45:04 PM »

There are alternatives such as the bite-not collar and the blow up collar - it's a shame vets won't buy them. The bite-not was available here until last year but the American seller can't get a distributor. http://www.bitenot.com/cat.html - they can be ordered from America but the postage is high. Otherwise, there is the inflatable collar from vetuk but not sure how effective this is.

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #25 on:** March 15, 2009, 21:22:45 PM »

someone with an inventive mind needs to get to work on this problem

it's such a shame that an animal which should be calm and settled in order to get over an operation is often left anxious and over-active because of these horrible collars

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #24 on:** March 15, 2009, 21:18:46 PM »

Glad she seems to be doing OK

munki45 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 15, 2009, 17:55:05 PM »

Thank you for your concern.

Well, we atempted to keep the collar on but she was having none of it. She is the most tenacious little thing I've ever encountered.

We then ended up at my Mums house last night (she's a nurse so thought she might have something) who said she'd have a look and see what she thought. It was quite a scene with Munki ripping off everything that we put on and my Mum in complete shock at Munki's cast iron determination. Eventually we managed to place some small butterfly stitches over her normal stitches which she seemed quite happy with. Since yesterday she is 100% back to normal and not remotely interested in the stitches.

Woohooo!

It looks like the collar can go for the time being and we'll just continue to monitor her.

Thanks SO much for all you fabulous help. It's really been a blessing to us.

I'll stick around and keep you informed of the progress...DIY cat care are us!

xxx

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #22 on:** March 15, 2009, 17:25:46 PM »

How is Munki getting on now? Something has just been discussed in another post that might help if she's still getting the collar off. There used to be a collar called bite-not which was an alternative to an elizabethan collar but they stopped selling them in the UK. Someone has just posted about a similar collar that works on the same principles, it's available online from VetUK who are normally very quick with postage.

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,23301.0.html

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2535

nessa (A C S ) · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2009, 05:09:29 AM »

I have never used a collar on a cat after a spay and they have been ok

when my own jasper got his eye removed he came home with a collar on which I removed as he was very distressed and he settled down after that we had a kitten a few yrs back that had to get his tail removed and we were told to keep the collar on for 2wks needless to say the first few days were a nightmare and he managed to get the collar of and remove all his stitches he had to be restitched but I refused to put the collar back on and he didnt go near the stitches and he healed up great.

We did have one cat where we had no other choice only to keep a collar on him or he would have lost his leg, he leg was shreded and it was so bad the vet couldnt stitch it we had to keep the collar on for a month it was a nightmare the cat freaked out completly and rebeled by peeing and pooping in his bed we ended up having to crate him poor guy but it was wort it in the end. his leg was saved

So it depends on different seanareos (sp)

Hope this helps
Anne

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2009, 00:57:30 AM »

They do heal really quick but in the early days/hours the area will feel sore and that's why they may nibble or lick, and don't forget the shaving will draw their attention as they also figure out why it suddenly got cold.

Try to distract her with a new toy perhaps?

I think give it a day or so and she won't even notice - smart move getting it done on a Friday as you have the weekend to watch over her.

Never underestimate a vet's potential to squeeze a few extra bob out of you. They know full well that a lot of the time, a spay/castrate may be the only time a cat visits them so they will take advantage if they can. Thankfully with me because I am CP, and the vet says I'm his pension plan because I am there every week with one stray or another, they don't try to fleece me as much as they do with some others I see.

Good luck!

munki45 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2009, 00:51:25 AM »

I love the little dog coat idea!

Am just concerned as she had a little bite earlier!

bunglycat · « **Reply #18 on:** March 14, 2009, 00:46:06 AM »

When my Smartie had stitches for a lump that was removed -he started to pull at them , i was frantic and so i had a little dog coat ( i had bought it for Winston -one of my other cats who i got in a very cold november and he was so matted i had to have him shaved - so i bought the smallest dog coat i could find and he wore it for ages without any problems ).
I put this little coat on Smartie over his stitches and my goodness -anyone would have thought it was a strait jacket - he walked all stiff legged and hated it - but it was either that or stay up all night in case he pulled them - so i put it on before i went to bed and in the morning it was off and in his bed !!!
The thing was , he never touched his stitches the rest of the time and he was so shattered having spent all night getting the coat off-he slept most of the day and next night !!

munki45 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 14, 2009, 00:14:05 AM »

Quote from: Pinkbear (Julie) on March 13, 2009, 23:23:47 PM

During my capers, what with my own cats, foster cats and ferals I've trapped and had spayed, my spay tally must run into tripple figures by now. I've only had one vet try to put a collar on and I took it straight off as soon as I got home.

A vet pays the supplier around £1.00 for a buster collar and flogs it to you for about £7.00... wakey, wakey!

Seriously, I have never had a cat do more than a quick lick at a spay wound. If you keep an eye on the poor princess, you'll soon be alerted to any problems, so take the collar off the poor mite and let her have din-dins in peace.

You know, I never even gave that a thought! We paid £3 but if everyone's paying the same then I see the profit margin!

We have now put a medical wound dressing over it and she seems to be doing okay with it. I can't tell you how much I despise that collar! I know people say 'its necessary' but in our day and age, what a terrible creation! I've only ever had male cats done previously so its my first experience of this but watching the poor fluff walk into things and topple over is just too distressing. I don't blame her for ripping the damn thing off!

She did have a nibble at it with her teeth earlier and tried to pull at the stitches so do we just intervene each time she does it? What if she does it during the night?

I feel like I'm prepared to do anything to prevent her from wearing that plastic rubbish!

Thanks all so much, you've been really kind and helpful.

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2009, 23:36:00 PM »

that sounds sensible to me

how can a cat eat and drink with a collar like that on anyway? and if they can't, how can it be good for them?

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2009, 23:23:47 PM »

During my capers, what with my own cats, foster cats and ferals I've trapped and had spayed, my spay tally must run into tripple figures by now. I've only had one vet try to put a collar on and I took it straight off as soon as I got home.

A vet pays the supplier around £1.00 for a buster collar and flogs it to you for about £7.00... wakey, wakey!

Seriously, I have never had a cat do more than a quick lick at a spay wound. If you keep an eye on the poor princess, you'll soon be alerted to any problems, so take the collar off the poor mite and let her have din-dins in peace.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:52:53 PM »

Quote from: munki45 on March 13, 2009, 20:51:25 PM

Quote from: furbabystar (Michelle) on March 13, 2009, 20:44:12 PM
I have never used a collar on any of my females when they have been spayed....it causes them too much upset !

Remove the collar...thats what i would do

What about her biting the stitches??

is she really going for it when you take the collar off then ?

munki45 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:51:25 PM »

Quote from: furbabystar (Michelle) on March 13, 2009, 20:44:12 PM

I have never used a collar on any of my females when they have been spayed....it causes them too much upset !

Remove the collar...thats what i would do

What about her biting the stitches??

munki45 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:50:52 PM »

Quote from: Liz on March 13, 2009, 20:39:31 PM

An elastic bandage -type for ankles around the area - not to tight and padded out can work

have to say thats why we use the internal stitches and glue for our girls - mainly feral and the trip to the vet is bed enough without the head trumpet

Good luck - it looks like you will be sleeping in shifts to keep and eye on her - Munki by name and nature - is she a tortie by any chance!

Absolutely!!

She's actually black and white and naughty!

And utterly gprgeous...!

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:44:12 PM »

I have never used a collar on any of my females when they have been spayed....it causes them too much upset !

Remove the collar...thats what i would do

Liz · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:39:31 PM »

An elastic bandage -type for ankles around the area - not to tight and padded out can work

have to say thats why we use the internal stitches and glue for our girls - mainly feral and the trip to the vet is bed enough without the head trumpet

Good luck - it looks like you will be sleeping in shifts to keep and eye on her - Munki by name and nature - is she a tortie by any chance!

Beth · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:38:51 PM »

Quote from: Gillian (Ambercat) on March 13, 2009, 19:48:13 PM

Don't really know, as mine have never had to wear cones after spay op - most recent was Gwynnie and she didnt trouble her stitches. I sympathise though as I know every cat hates those cones! If it was me I'd remove the cone, but I know someone recently, think it was Beth, did that, and her cat pulled the stitches out!

yep, 'twas me.

Thankfully my little monkey is okay... i'm thinking of making a little cat body suit thing when i need to get penguin done, but your kitty sounds particularly determined so not sure what to suggest.

munki45 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:36:49 PM »

Quote from: trigger on March 13, 2009, 20:30:12 PM

try googling 'many tailed bandage', a method of bandaging a cat's body - if you can get her stitches intact into next week the wound might well stay closed without them, so a short term measure would be better than nothing

That sounds great! I've just had a look and it seems they use those for dog wounds. Why can't cats have them???

Now its where I can get one!

Thanks Trigger...

Kay and Penny · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:30:12 PM »

try googling 'many tailed bandage', a method of bandaging a cat's body - if you can get her stitches intact into next week the wound might well stay closed without them, so a short term measure would be better than nothing

munki45 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:23:34 PM »

Thanks Helen.

We did try that with a long sock that we cut and put on her like a cat jacket! It looked very sweet but she still managed to bite through and pull the stitches!

It's a nightmare!!!

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:16:00 PM »

Could you fashion some sort of mini short T-shirt for her - was thinking along the lines of the sleeve off an old top, you could have two holes for her front legs and then holes around the neck area to thread the bandage through. It would stop just after her shoulders so shouldn't affect the wound and she wouldn't be able to pull it off because of her front legs going through it.

munki45 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2009, 20:12:29 PM »

Thanks for your replies.

Yes, its attached with a piece of bandage but she's still pulling it off. Just done it again in fact!

Guess we're going to have to just keep an eye on her though there will be times when she'll be alone next week! We're concerned tobe honest!!!

Gillian Harvey · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2009, 19:48:13 PM »

Don't really know, as mine have never had to wear cones after spay op - most recent was Gwynnie and she didnt trouble her stitches. I sympathise though as I know every cat hates those cones! If it was me I'd remove the cone, but I know someone recently, think it was Beth, did that, and her cat pulled the stitches out!

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2009, 19:46:38 PM »

Oh dear

Perhaps the cone itself is the wrong size? Too late to do anything about that now though I guess as the vets will be shut. How is the cone secured at the moment? It's been years since I had a cat that needed one but when my cat had one it was tied on with a bandage almost like a collar.

Are you looking for a way to secure the cone or other ways to cover the wound? She might seem 'freaked out' with the cone on but if you can actually get her to keep it on then she will calm down eventually although she's not exactly going to be happy wearing it.

munki45 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2009, 19:38:57 PM »

Hi guys,

Wonder if you can offer any advice for a sad mommy and daddy!

Our cat, Munki has been spayed today and despite all going okay (touch wood), she has been fitted with the inevitable cone!

When we picked her up the vet warmed us that Munki had already managed to remove it once so to keep a close eye on her. Having got her home she is continuing to remove it (it is fitted as cosily as possible so there is no room for tightening). I've never seen a cat so distressed with a cone as she is right now so we have removed it and attempted a light, airy bandage over the wound as advised by the vet. However, whilst wearing this she can't seem to manoeuvre herself and seems to be extremely agitated. Now we have replaced the cone and are struggling to watch as she fights and eventually removes it!

Does anyone have ANY suggestions as to what we can do? The cone is there for obvious reasons so we're not going to just remove it but has anyone encountered anything else that works?

It's awful! Please help...

Many Thanks. x

Author Topic: Just been spayed... (Read 5449 times)