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E-collar substitute? I'm at wit's end...

post #1 of 9
9/13/10 at 2:36pm
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone. My cat was spayed last Tuesday and her incision (dissolving stitches) seemed to healing fine, then I checked it this AM and found it gaping open and leaking clear fluid. I took her back to the vet's and they used glue to reseal it and put a plastic ecollar on her to prevent her from inadvertently reopening the wound. She's supposed to keep this horribly obtrusive collar on for a week and she already looks miserable. It gets in her food, she can't walk or jump normally, and I've no idea how she's going to sleep with that thing on. I checked Petsmart and Petco for an alternative collar and they didn't have anything. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a different solution? I'm game for trying anything!

Thanks
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post #2 of 9
9/13/10 at 2:39pm
a simple google search will yeild you lots...

from experience a baby onesie or a simple baby tee can work.... make your own collar from cardboard covered with fabric or pet stores sell a fabric blow up collar( both petco and petsmarts here have them...
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post #3 of 9
9/13/10 at 2:44pm
http://www.petco.com/product/100555/...t=OnSiteSearch
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post #4 of 9
9/13/10 at 2:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sharky View Post
a simple google search will yeild you lots...

from experience a baby onesie or a simple baby tee can work.... make your own collar from cardboard covered with fabric or pet stores sell a fabric blow up collar( both petco and petsmarts here have them...
I know google is generally a fount of info, but this day has been chaotic to say the least and I don't really have time to research. I have health problems that make it extremely hard to concentrate sometimes and am pretty much braindead at the moment. I was really hoping some kind, experienced cat owners wouldn't mind offering advice.

I promise you I checked my local Petco and Petsmart and they have nothing.

I'm trying to envision how a baby's onesie would work... How does the cat use the bathroom? And surely a cat could easily pull up a t-shirt? The incision is on the lower abdomen, of course.
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post #5 of 9
9/13/10 at 2:53pm
you either leave one button undone or you cut a hole under the tail... Yes it looks funny but it works... I did not mean you were researching just I cant describe how to very well
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post #6 of 9
9/13/10 at 3:06pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry, I think I misinterpreted your comment about google as a rebuke for coming here and asking advice as opposed to just looking it up myself. I'm tired and not thinking too straight at the moment. I'm also a little stressed over why the incision would reopen a week post-op; I've never seen or heard of that happening before and I don't think Vivi was bothering the stitches. There was a mild infection that required antibiotics...it was just highly unexpected.

The onesie sounds like it might just work, or at least be more acceptable to her than a collar. Thanks for the advice
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post #7 of 9
9/13/10 at 3:13pm
The onesies worked here like a charm! I bought the short sleeve ones, cut the end of the sleeve to make it more comfortable, and just leave the buttons in the bottom open (the ones you'd use to change the diapers)
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post #8 of 9
9/13/10 at 3:56pm
Depending on how old and how big your girl is, you can even use a tube sock. Just cut off the top (the elastic part) and put it over her head, then over the front legs. Wiggle it into place and be sure it's not too tight.
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post #9 of 9
9/13/10 at 7:46pm
i used a onesie when Java had her toe amputation to protect it when she used the litterbox [front paw].
there's an interesting-looking e-collar online, but i've never seen it in stores - foam e-collar
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