Post surgery entertainment

[motorcurl]

Hi all. New member and first post. My 4y.o. DSH neutered male Moe is recovering from surgery to remove a bladder stone, after spending a week in and out of hospital trying to unblock him. The surgeon said to keep him confined to a crate or small room for two weeks. We are keeping him in the guest bathroom, about 7x4 feet of floor space plus tub, counter and toilet. He's got a litter pan, water fountain and food, and a cushy bed. He's also wearing a cone for the full two weeks.

Problem is, he is lonely and bored! He is used to having the run of the house, plus three other cats to play with. We will be home for the holiday weekend and are trying to spend as much time as possible in the bathroom with him, but we go back to work on Tuesday. He cries when we leave the room. Any suggestions for keeping him entertained but inactive? I don't know how he will stand two weeks of this!

 

[luvmy4]

Sorry to hear about your recent troubles with Moe, but I am glad to hear he is on the mend. It is probably good to keep him confined while he is wearing the cone. It can be hard for them to move around with out banging the cone into things and probably makes jumping more difficult. He does really need to take it easy for now while he heals. Try to be with him for his feedings to make sure he can eat with that thing on, and show him lots of love. I'm sure that you can take the cone off while he is eating as long as your watching him. I would put his favorite scratching toy in the bathroom with him, so he can alleviate stress without too much activity. You might put other toys in there once you think he his up too it. Soft music could be soothing when you are not home.

My Calvin recently had bladder surgery, but he was not blocked. He did not come home wearing a cone or anything. In our case the vet did want him to clean himself and the sutures are the inside. I can only see the healing incision and it looks good so far.

I've read a few peoples posts and it seems that healing from the catheter and bladder surgery may take longer. 

 I kept Calvin in our office for 4 days, completely segregated, but I am now letting him out some but only when I can watch to make sure he is not very active. My vet was concerned about wrestling and playing  for 7 days, so I put him back in the office to sleep and when I am not around. The other cats have been really good with him so far and have not tried to initiate play. I would follow your vets advice until you see a huge improvement as it seems more serious than my situation. I would say at least one week. Then you can start with taking the collar off for short period while you are supervising. I would avoid activity for the full two weeks though.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I really don't know what you can do to keep him The only thing I thought of was perhaps a TV with a cat entertainment video of birds or whatever is on those, but doubt you have a TV on the wall of your bathroom!  And, of course, you don't want anything that he can pull over on top of himself in his desperation to entertain himself. 

Too bad he has to wear that cone!  Does he have a catheter still or something? 

 

[motorcurl]

Moe does not have a catheter now, but the surgeon doesn't want him to lick the incision. And wants him confined for two whole weeks so he doesn't bust his stitches. I think I'm going to find a radio and tune it to a talk station. Also plug in a Feliway diffuser to keep him a little calmer. Husband is going to install a screen door next week so Moe can see and hear what's going on in the house, and try and get the other three cats used to him again before I turn him loose at the end of his two weeks in confinement.

 

[luvmy4]

Moe does not have a catheter now, but the surgeon doesn't want him to lick the incision. And wants him confined for two whole weeks so he doesn't bust his stitches. I think I'm going to find a radio and tune it to a talk station. Also plug in a Feliway diffuser to keep him a little calmer. Husband is going to install a screen door next week so Moe can see and hear what's going on in the house, and try and get the other three cats used to him again before I turn him loose at the end of his two weeks in confinement.

Those all sound like great solutions 

They do sell one brand (Comfort Zone) of Feliway at Pet Smart. If you find a store that sells that brand you can print a coupon from the manufacturer website. I only have a Pet Smart nearby so I don't know if the other big chains carry it or not. Your vet my also carry it, if you don't wait to wait for an online shipment. 

 

[motorcurl]

I couldn't find a radio, but I did get a Feliway diffuser and plugged that in, hoping that will keep Moe relaxed.  I also got one of those cheapie corrugated scratchers, and I've seen him using that a few times.  I don't want to put too many toys in there, since it's a small room and I don't want him banging around too much.  We are planning to put in a screen door this weekend (a week after his surgery) so he can at least see and be seen by the other kitties. 

My concern with the screen door is if Moe starts actively trying to get out.  He's pretty clever about opening doors (has made the cabinet under the sink his bed).  I don't want him to damage his incision or paws trying to claw his way out through the screen.  What do you all think?  Should I just keep the solid door for the full two weeks?  FWIW, the vet's first choice for keeping him contained was a large dog crate, but the bathroom was a better choice for us.