I had my kitten neutered 3 days ago and she seemsed to be ok. But i've noticed she isn't eating hardly anything, is looking thin and hasn't had a poo since the op. We took the collar off to see if that made a difference and she ate everything in her bowl and seemed to perk up. Yet when we went to put collar on she went absolutely mental and got really stressed out. We got it on but now she's really hacked off. I'm concerned a) she's not gonna eat and b) she's gonna go nuts and get stressed everytime we take collar off, if thats the only way she'll eat. What do yoou suggest?
2007-01-18 11:57:11 · 16 answers · asked by Mrs Captain 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Ok I am sorry< I meant my kitten was spayed and she is female.
2007-01-18 12:20:54 · update #1
I have had lots of experience with neutering cats and can reassure you that the reason why she has topped eating is simply that she just doesn't like the collar. We all know how sensitive cats are and she probably isn't sure what's going on and just wants life back to normal.
I have always gone with the approach to leave the collar off and just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't excessively lick or bite at the stitches.
Just give her lots of cuddles and if she starts nibbling then just distract her for a while with toys or treats. The odd lick here and there wont cause her any problems.
I think that the collars are simply a precautionary measure on the vets part in the rare event that a cat does end up pulling their stitches out and they get landed with demands for free treatment. I believe that a full-on collar for a few stitches is over-cautious.
Just don't worry, leave the collar off but give your little treasure lots of love and cuddles!
Hope this helps and if you do experience problems just take her back to the vets.
2007-01-18 12:23:37 · answer #1 · answered by Robbi 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes cats do react very badly to head collars (I assume you mean one of the lampshade collars?) as it affects their vision and sometimes makes eating physically a little challenging. These collars are designed to help prevent your cat pulling at her stitches and removing them, which can cause huge problems. However although most animals cope very well with the collars some cannot tolerate them at all.
After 3 days the spay wound should be on the way to healing, although it is not completely healed until about 2 weeks after the op. If you think your cat is now unlikely to lick at the wound you could leave the collar off, but keep a very close eye on her to make sure she is not pulling the stitches out. Sometimes people use a baby's t-shirt or an old pair of pants to cover the wound - this can work well in dogs but I'm not sure about cats! You could also try just having the collar on at night when she is not being watched but leave it off during the day when someone is around.
If your cat still hasn't passed motion it's probably a good idea to get it rechecked by a vet in case it is now constipated. it may not be passing motion purely because it hasn't eaten properly for a few days, but pain can also make passing motion more difficult.
2007-01-18 22:46:24 · answer #2 · answered by Mollymoo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
leave the collar off. They are a recent thing over here and sold to everyone even though the vets know, in most case, they are not necessary. In 20 years of owning cats and doing rescue and having them neutered, I have never had a cat bite it's stitches or worry the wound. You are doing more harm than good by leaving it on when she is stressed and not eating. Leave it off.
2007-01-19 00:49:01 · answer #3 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the collar off, I have never put a Elizabethan collar on my cats after spaying. Unless she is really going after the incision, leave it off. If she has not had a bowel movement since spaying, she may have a blockage and that can be very serious.
2007-01-18 12:07:49 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A male cat has stitches??? If not there is no need for a collar. (i am gathering mean an Elizabethan collar), Take the collar of when the cats eats and when ever you are unable to supervise the cat put it back on, it wont be for long, this is very common for a cat to behave this way.
2007-01-18 12:05:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You take off her collar and she eats right? So why put it back on it is obivous that she prefers to hang loose....whats the bother? Unless she is an outdoors feline, then consider getting a chip and leaving the collar off. Why stress her out?
2007-01-18 15:45:16 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Sparkling♥Jules♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From my experience, cats don't like collars. Is this the Elizabethan collar used to keep them from licking the area. If so, she may be unable to get at her food with it on or it may just be uncomfortable. My cats hate anything around their necks and it would stress them out. If you can keep her from getting at the stitches I would keep it off since she seems to eat and be fine with it off.
2007-01-18 12:06:28 · answer #7 · answered by Morrigan 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just keep the collar off
2007-01-18 12:33:47 · answer #8 · answered by Jessica 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you shouldn't put a collar on her. Get her micro chipped and the problem might go away.I would also that you speak to your vet about this as it is very interesting behaviour.
2007-01-19 03:39:59 · answer #9 · answered by future_millionairess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Double check with the vet but my sense is you can leave the collar off as long as she does not lick or chew on her stitches.
2007-01-18 12:01:05 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋