Amputated tail today - does kitty need to wear the cone on his head tonight???

Question

Hi. My cat had to have 1/2 of his tail amputated today because it was injured very badly. Otherwise, he is fine. The vet gave us a cone for his head so that he can't chew on his bandage. He freaks out with the cone on. He thrashes around and paws at the cone. I called the vet. They feel that he will try to chew on the bandage when he comes out of the drugs tonight. He hasn't chewed on it yet, and he didn't even lick the wound prior to the amputation. He is 7 years old.

Any ideas for helping him get used to the cone? Do you think he really needs to wear it while we are asleep? Has anyone had any experience with this with their animals???

Thanks...

Answer 1

what did the vet say? probably ought to have it on for a week atleast...poor baby...i feel for him... but if he is going to possitivly freak out and maybe hurt himself again with it on take it off.(i know that a cat can raise all kinds of righteous hell with a cone on their neck, and may hurt themselves trying to get it off.)
Kimbee J has a very good and right answer, follow her advise and i am a fan of the old cat lady.

Answer 2

A cat I had ten years ago had the same - half of her tail amputated due to an injury. She had a cone on her head when she came home from the vet's, but she scooted backwards around the livingroom until it came off, then proceded to leave her bandage alone until the follow-up visit when the vet took it off and took out the stitches. She was a pretty smart cat, and tended not to bother stitches or bandages at other times as well. I'd say, if the cone is stressing your cat out, and your cat is going to do less damage to himself with it out, take the cone off. If you see him bothering his bandages later, then you can put it back on.

A suggestion that might help your cat be calm: A Bach Flower Essenses product called Rescue Remedy - you can find it at health food stores, $12ish for a small bottle that will likely last throughout this health crisis and maybe beyond that. It's a natural, non-toxic remedy that helps calm a person or animal. I've used it before veterinary appointments and gotten compliments on how well behaved my cats were, and used it when we moved from Arizona to Minnesota all packed into a minivan. I find it works to put a few drops in their food, and have heard it can just be dropped into the fur behind their ears. The calming effect only seems to last 2-3 hours, but it's been helpful enough that I keep it on hand all the time.

Best wishes for your cat's healing.

Answer 3

First off, no reputable vet would have performed any procedure on a pet without permission from the owner. As for the declawing, I'll say right up front, I am personally very much against it. Cats won't claw furniture it they are given a proper place of their own where they can keep their claws groomed and worn down. That doesn't mean one of those carpeted pieces of junk from stores. It mean a real piece of wood like a piece of fire wood nailed on a flat board so it won't roll. That said, yes, with the older surgery process, part of the toe was removed, The first joint of each toe, from where the nail grows, was cut off. There is a newer, so called more "modern" way of removing the claws only, using, I believe, laser surgery. However that still leaves the cat helpless to defend itself or even get up a tree, should it ever be allowed outside. Any one even considering it, should really quiz their vet first about it. To answer you last question, no, unfortunately there is little you can do other than try to discourage people who are considering this cruel procedure. It's legal and most vets will do it upon request. I do know of a few who refuse because it's all for the owner and not for the cat.

Answer 4

It's just to late tonight to get anything to help the cat and even the vet probably won't be available tomorrow.

Emergency vets are expensive and if your cat is really distressed you can go there with him and get a simple shot that will relax him. Maybe something like some liquid Torbutrol to give this evening (that's an opioid used for pain and it would also make him sleepy and relax him). You say he's still under the effects of anesthesia now and still thrashing around?

You can get some Rescue Remedy (Bach five-flower remedy) from a health foods store tomorrow morning. Call around first to see who might carry it. That's used for emotional distress and it could help settle him down. It is perfectly safe to use and won't interfere with any other medication he is having. You simply shake the bottle well and apply three to four drops to the cat's fur between his ears, on his ears or paws wherever. You can use it every fifteen minutes till he seems more at ease. Apply it whenever he appears to be restless after that.

I think you MUST leave the cone on. There is no point in allowing him to damage himself and have to go through further stressful treatment (to say nothing of the expense to you).

Answer 5

Cat Tail Amputation Recovery

Answer 6

With this type of surgery we will usually have the bandage removed in a day or two. You can take the collar off IF you are watching the cat closely, but many will try to chew at the bandage and sutures. Your vet just wants to prevent further injury to your cat. They hate Elizabethan collars, but they do get used to them in a couple of days.
I should add that with adequate pain medications, which should have been dispensed to you, should help the cat be more comfortable and less likely to go after the wound.

Answer 7

Animals heal differently from humans. They heal from the 'inside out', whereas humans heal from the 'outside in'. Licking helps them heal. Even if the worst comes to worse, and he chews the stitches, it will still heal, probably even better.
So, if he hates wearing the cone take it off, but watch and see and if he is chewing the stitches...If he does and you catch him at it make it clear you don't like it, and then put the cone back on...

Answer 8

listen to savannah f and put a towel inside the cone it may help calm her down. I wouldnt try taking her cone off unless you are willing to watch her every second to make sure she doesn't mess with the bandage and stiching. If i were you I would leave the cone on. your cat will get used to it.

Answer 9

Before, you put it on observe your cat. Make sure he is not trying to remove the bandages. Cats are smart animals and know how to survive, but anything he doesn't like he will try to remove. Just observe him. If he tries pawing or licking at the wound put the collar on him. Otherwise it should be OK.

Good Luck.

Answer 10

You better keep in him in your room with you tonight and try to watch him to make sure he doesn't start chewing at his stitches-but if he's freaking out about the cone-I don't see how you can possibly leave it on!!!