suggestions from the cat experts for my cat that just had bladder surgery

[MrsBrady]

short version

female cat, stones, bladder surgery - home last night.

they want her to keep one of those collars on. I thought, ok, well. this cat won't do that.
I was right.

I left the collar on her last night until now. She was so freaked out by it (what the hell is going on/what are you doing to me).
I put down an old "low and open" box for her to use so she can get it in with the collar, but she missed anyway. I still don't think she can get it it. That collar goes all the way to the floor.
So, the poor thing went in the middle of the night all over next to the box. She tried. (such a good kitty)

They are worried she will pull her stitches out if she doesn't wear a collar, but she didn't when she had her female fix.
and they want her to keep it on for TWO weeks?


suggestions/your experience?


edit: yes, I will call the vet today, but I know we have lots of cat people here. not looking for medical advice.

[vard28]

1. I modified one for my cat after she was spayed

We cut it down some so she could see better but it was still big enough to keep her from messin' with the stitches. But be careful! Once you cut the cone, it will have sharp edges. We have a never ending supply of duct tape, so that's what we put around the sharp edge. Otherwise YOU will be getting your limbs stitched up and they'll put one of those cones on YOU. :rofl:

[MrsBrady]

2. i thought about cutting it down...

this one is a "soft" cone...

feels like a cross between cardboard and cotton, but it's flexible.

I've had it off of her for two hours...so far she's just given herself a good licking-bath.
Right now, she's sunning herself in her window...so I guess she's doing ok.

She went into her regular "closed" box already, so I guess she WILL go if she is able.

If she starts pulling on the stitches, I'll put it back on her...but for now she seems ok.

[NV Whino]

3. If you need to keep it on her

you might try reversing it. But if she's doing okay without it, leave it off. My personal opinion--whoever invented those should be forced to wear one for a week.

[MrsBrady]

4. yea, i tried it the "other way"

last night too.

she just couldn't figure it out, and it freaked her out too much.
she was licking it, trying to just clean her paws, face, etc....

after 2 hours of this last night, I thought that her licking that THING would be worse than her giving herself a bath.
But, I thought it best to keep it on her.
Wrong!.
I've had it off of her since this morning. I just came back from classes, and she seems to be doing ok.
Her tummy/incision area is not red, so I think she's just doing normal cleaning.
I'll keep a look out, though.

[Betty88]

5. I dont know if this would work for you but

Sam had to have a bandage covering his side for a few weeks, bad long story... He would not do the collar so to keep him from scratching at it and pulling the bandage off we did this




cheap baby shirts from the old navy and kmart. Would a shirt cover the stitches? or are they two far down on her belly?

[MrsBrady]

6. oh man, that is too cute of a picture

the shirt is a great idea, but yea, i think it would be too short.
it's exactly where she can get to it, like right in the lower part that is exposed the picture.

it would be easier if there were some kind of barrier skirt
or some kind of kitty bandage/wrap i could put over it --

I thought about bandaging it like round her body, but I think it would get urine/litter on it.

she hasn't really messed with it today...she's been getting whatever this pain stuff is every 8 hours...
so it's making her sleepy. which is just as well, as i don't want her up too much anyway.