We just got my cat back from the vet. He had a terrible hematoma(not spelled right) that was infected and now he's wearing a cone so he won't scratch the stitches out. Except he keeps freaking out. He rolls on the ground and shakes his head and kicks and tries to scratch. It's been four hours or so now and we can calm him down for maybe ten minutes before he starts freaking out again. Does anyone have any suggestions on keeping him calm?
I still have to work so I can's just sit and talk to him (when he sits) I certainly can't keep chasing him all over the house.
I thought about giving him some kitty tranquilizers, but he's having to take an antibiotic, too, so I wasn't sure.
Also, does anyone have any helpful experience on how he can eat and drink with the cone on? I can hand feed him cat food sometimes, but not all the time and I can't do anything like that with the water.
Please, anyone with any experience in this, I would love your help.
2006-10-13 13:44:52 · 13 answers · asked by nezzy 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I thought about calling the vet but they're closed until monday.
2006-10-13 13:55:25 · update #1
I'm a Vet Tech, this happens alot with kitties.
If you are home with him and watching closely, you can take it off. Just stop him from fussing with the stitches.
Call the vet back and ask for a soft collar.
There are cones, like he has, make of stiff fabric. They are lighter and flexible so cat's don't mind them as much. You can also get them from pet stores. The ones at our clinic are light blue and tie on with a shoe lace looking tie.
Giving Benedryl or any tranquilizer is pointless. They only last 4 hours and if you have to work longer than that, it will wear off and he will be back in the same situation.
Try the soft collar and see what happens.
Good Luck
2006-10-13 13:57:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, the Elizabethan collar should be short enough so the tip of his nose sticks out when shoved back, like when he's trying to eat. I've had several cats have to wear them. They all hated them. Once they calmed down, I put food and water in several shallow dishes they could fit their cone over and showed them how. Only my smarter cats remembered how. For my stupid cats I left the faucett in the bathtub on a slow trickle and hung up a rabbit water bottle. The cat afraid of the bathtub prefered the rabbit bottle. The other cat drank from both. My siamese were able to turtle over the bowls to eat & drink. You might consider caging the cat while you're gone in a large cage. My sister had a cat she left unsubervised that managed to rip out her spay stitches when unsupervised.
The vet could perscribe Valium or some other cat tranquilzer that wouldn't hurt the cat. Or you could try Catnip if your cat is one that likes it. After a bit of playful hyper, they will calm down and zonk out.
2006-10-13 14:00:18 · answer #2 · answered by dinubabear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you ask the vet if he can take the tranquilizer if he is on antibiotics? You should probably call and ask him.
I think taking it off just long enough for him to eat and drink would be ok, just keep an eye on him especially if he got stitches.
He is just feeling uncomfortable...that is why he is going berserk...
Did you get any pain meds from the vet? That might be better than the tranquilizers...
2006-10-13 13:53:16 · answer #3 · answered by lunarbuni 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing you can use tonight unfortunately. I have had two cats who had to wear cones and they do manage to get to their food and water. It's hard for them to adjust.
That's why I think every pet owner should have a bottle of Rescue Remedy in the house for just this sort of situation. You just put three or four drops on the cat's fur between his ears as often as you can till he calms down. You might pick up some tomorrow if he is still upset.
2006-10-13 13:52:57 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I used a Benadryl in the morning and when i came home i would give her some catnip and a small bowl of milk (milk has tryptophan, which has a relaxing effect) feed her some liver (i spoiled her a bit while she was coned, I felt so bad) I'd feed her with the liver chopped up and in a spoon. Most of the time the benedryl was put in a mushed up piece of liver. I would hold her jaw shut gently and pet her head while gently massageing her throat and she would swallow for me and then I'd give her a little milk from a small bowl I would hold. Good Luck to you and kitty. Hope he is well soon.
2006-10-13 14:02:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Try using Rescue Remedy. All you have to do is put 3 or 4 drops of the remedy on his head, or mix it in with his water. It is a combination of different flower essences that calm animals and humans. It can be found in most health food stores. I'm sorry that your cat was sick, and I hope he gets better soon. Good luck!
2006-10-13 15:03:14 · answer #6 · answered by ebhs_girl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can take the cone off...feed him and give him water and then immediately put the cone back on, you dont want to leave him for any extended period of time especially unattended without the cone trust me...my cat had stitches and she wasnt given a cone and she chewed out the stitches overnight...she had the stitches put back in and was given a cone its not impossible to deal with but it sure is necessary
2006-10-13 13:58:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try a single capsule of benadryl no more than twice a day. Certainly tranquillizers from your vet CAN help (and won't interfere with his other meds) but usually the less meds he needs to take, the better. Also, try confining him to a small but familiar area like a walk in closet or bathroom with a litter box to use, and wateravailable. sometimes just haveing to deal with less space can help. When its dinner/breakfast time spend 10 minites with him, cone off so he can/eat drink. He'll learn quickly to chow down while it's easy to. Always leave his food and water offered to him while you're gone, i bet he'll figure out how to eat with it on.
2006-10-13 13:51:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
keep him buisy so he won't try to get the cone off of his head. try using a straw so that he can drink ...? and give feed him his food with your hand so that he can eat it ... hold the food above his head and drop it down in his mouth so u wont miss and hit him somewhere else.
2006-10-13 14:01:36 · answer #9 · answered by alliew77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy it a ball of dried catnip and even some fresh stuff,if the stores have it.Your cat will become very relaxed after smelling,tasting and playing with this ball or plant,of magical catnip...Take care...Tom Science
2006-10-13 13:55:08 · answer #10 · answered by tom science 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋