I just don't know what to do!

As some of you already know, Scratch was spayed yesterday morning. She came home today, but wouldn't stop licking the incision (there's no stitches on the outside). We got her an Elizabethian collar, but it's dragging on the floor, getting caught on things, and Scratch doesn't like it! She will arch her back and start walking backwards.. I don't know what to do! I know it's bothering her, but I don't want her licking the incision. Does anyone know what I should do?!

Sounds like poor scratch is having a difficult time of it No cat likes the e-collar though, and if she is trying to lick her incision she could begin to dig at it as well. How long did your vet say she should wear the collar?

Originally Posted by Miss Mew

How long did your vet say she should wear the collar?

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It was just my brother that went to the vet; I was at home with Scratch. I think my brother said she has to wear it for a couple of days..

Does she have the kind of stitches/incision where it looks like it's glued together? If so, my cat licked her incision also. I just kept an eye on it and made sure it didn't come open or look like it was getting infected.

Stephanie

Originally Posted by stephanietx

Does she have the kind of stitches/incision where it looks like it's glued together? If so, my cat licked her incision also. I just kept an eye on it and made sure it didn't come open or look like it was getting infected.

Stephanie

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Yes, it looks like its glued together.. I'm just so paranoid she's going to get it open and infected.

My cat hates his E-collar, but I made him wear it anyways.. And after couple of days he got used to it ( we have to make him wear it for two weeks!!!!! ) So maybe she will be all right for two days? Sending healing vibes her way!

Don't worry her reaction is quite normal - when Loki had his he walked into walls, got caught on the stairs, tried to back out of it, etc. but considering the the alternative - he had to wear it and for 10 days. After a couple of days he got the hang of it - still did not like it but accepted it!

I know it is hard to see but you are doing it for her best....

So, deap breath - she'll be just fine!!!!

Our vet techs say that the best thing you can do is just distract them every time they go to lick it. So maybe have a favourite toy and if she goes to lick it, wiggle the toy and see if she'll play with that instead. It's just uncomfortable for her, and will get better soon

There is a product called Biocaine made by Tomlyn products...its a creme that is meant to be used to relieve pain and also has a bitter flavor...I used it when my cat tore his nail. Now I don't know if its safe for a spay(I'd ask vet but guess if its closed up completely with glue it would be ok) but even if you put it in the general area they really hate the taste(me being how I am I tried a little-its soapy tasting lol) I bought it from petsmart and think it was 6 bucks...was in dog section but can be used on dogs and cats. RJ

Your cat will get used to the collar eventually, and then start attacking you with it.

For the first couple of days they run into things and go backwards and are generally unhappy, but once they know how to use the cone, it's all over. They run into your ankles, they learn to scoop their toys up into it.

Keeping your cat from opening the incision and causing infection is more important than her being unhappy. Not only will it cost you more money, but it means more pain for her.

Poor Ginger was only 4 months old when I did it to her - her cone was too big and she wasn't able to walk with it so she went backwards all over the house. When I was able to stop laughing, I trimmed it down for a better fit and so that she would be able to comfortably reach her food and water dishes.
Trimming it lightened it a bit so she was then better able to maneuver around the house with it, and while I felt really bad for her, it had to stay on - as soon as I took it off she went right for her stitches.
She wore it for two weeks until her stitches were removed, and seems to have suffered no long term ill effects as a result of the indignity.
Here's one of my favorite pics of her (click it to enlarge.) The look on her face says it all!

Awl poor baby ginger S-) hehe at least casey did his nail at about 10 months old and fit pretty well in collar..the other cats behaved very well..Heck they were probably thinking whatever he did we better be careful we do't want THAT THING!!! RJ

How's Scratch doing today? How's the incision looking?

Stephanie

Originally Posted by stephanietx

How's Scratch doing today? How's the incision looking?

Stephanie

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She's doing much better than yesterday. She's not running into walls so much and she learned how to go up and down the stairs with the e-collar [it's big on her so it would drag and she had troubles].
Yesterday the incision was a little red, today it's not.
Scratch is still very sleepy though.

Why not just get a smaller size collar, cut down the one you have a little or use a big styrofoam plate (this works better on kittens, I don't know how old yours is)

BamBam had her surgery, and she HATED the e-collar as well, she too walked backwards, she would do to rub her side against a corner of the wall and would hit her e-collar...Poor baby! And sniff the floor, it would get stuck in the carpet! Awwww, I decided I would take the collar off thinking she would be fine, SHE LICKED THE WOUND OPEN...It cost me more $$$ to have it closed back up (Crappy vet) ... My suggestion is...I would keep it on to be safe!!!! Your kitty will get used to it the best she can!
GOOD LUCK
J&J

Hi,

This may sound sort of funny but I did it years ago when I had my female cat. I had the same problem with the cone, what I did was took one of my hubby's old white tube socks, made sure it was stretched so it wasn't tight and put it on the cat, it did manage to stay on and it really didn't interfere with the litterbox etc. I won't tell you some of the other ideas I had when my current cat had surgery on his ear, ( I put baby booties on his back feet so he couldnt scratch the ear). Just a thought for you.

Originally Posted by l.trant

Hi,

This may sound sort of funny but I did it years ago when I had my female cat. I had the same problem with the cone, what I did was took one of my hubby's old white tube socks, made sure it was stretched so it wasn't tight and put it on the cat, it did manage to stay on and it really didn't interfere with the litterbox etc. I won't tell you some of the other ideas I had when my current cat had surgery on his ear, ( I put baby booties on his back feet so he couldnt scratch the ear). Just a thought for you.

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Those are cute ideas

Originally Posted by Jen

Why not just get a smaller size collar, cut down the one you have a little or use a big styrofoam plate (this works better on kittens, I don't know how old yours is)

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I don't know if they had any smaller size collars at the vet's office. The styrofoam plate probably would be too small, as Scratch is not a kitten. I could try cutting it down a little, but she seems to be adjusting more to the collar.


That was right after she got home yesterday.


Sleepy kitty.

I would get a picture of her incision but she won't let me! Maybe when she's sleeping..

Awww, poor pretty lil' girl Scratch! That collar looks to be just the right size. She'll get used to it, and once she has finished metabolizing the anesthesia, she'll be able to get around with it a bit better!