I just got my kitten back today after being neutered. He was cryptorchid (only one descended testicle) so it was more invasive than a normal neuter. He was at the vet for 2 nights after the surgery, and after being cooped up in a little cage, he's extra hyper.
How can I keep him calm? The vet said no running, stairs, or high levels of activity for 2 weeks - knowing my kitten, this seems highly impossible.
Also, he has a fairly sized incision, how do I keep him from licking it? Should I get one of those collars? He's already been through so much already, and I just want to keep him comfortable and healthy.
Any advice you have would be sincerely appreciated!! :)
2007-12-07 08:39:12 · 6 answers · asked by Chrissy 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
When I picked up my female kittens from being spayed, the vet rules were to keep them from stairs, etc. The vet and I both had a good laugh over that.
An Elizabethan collar may be warranted, but just monitor him. Sometimes when they pull on the stitches, they find it is not pleasant and stop. Licking the wound is not a problem, but tearing at the stitches is. But, it often heals very quickly.
Look for any bleeding from the incision. If none, then your kitten can do whatever he wants to do.
I have only had females, but their incisions are rather major, and they have always tempered their activity on their own.
2007-12-07 09:07:39 · answer #1 · answered by cat lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'll need to get a Elizabethian collar for him to wear for awhile, til his incision heals...to keep him from licking/biting it. If you have, or have a friend (or maybe the vet will loan you) a cage, big enough for him to have a small (cake size) litter pan and water in it, you can keep him in that for most of the time. Put a "cuddly" animal and a small toy (no catnip) in it for company... Let him out only to hold and eat. He'll sleep a lot of the time, anyway, but this will keep him from running around and getting into trouble. When my Chihuahua had back problems, I had to keep her confined for a couple of months, for that same reason (no running/hopping up, etc). I went to Petsmart and bought a cage. I used that 'til her back got well.......then she messed it up, again, a few months later, and I was glad that I had that cage, already. She spent another month in it, but she's been well for over a year, now. A cage is a good investment, I think. You never know when you might need one! Hope this helps.....Good luck..........
2007-12-07 16:56:58 · answer #2 · answered by brutusmom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of my boys had this problem as well. His incision looked an awful lot like a spay incision, and he had a lot of problems with pulling his stitches out. I imagine it was very uncomfortable for him. He managed to pull them all the way out three times before the vet double stitched the incision and stapled it as well. I would definitely recommend getting an e-collar. It may be uncomfortable for him, but it prevents him pulling out his stitches and unnecessary trips to the vet. You can thread a regular collar through the loops in the e-collar and adjust it enough so that he's not able to pull it off (which he will try to do). If you can, keep him in a room by himself. Put food, water and a litter box in there with him. This will limit his activity. You can bring him out of there once in a while but only if he is supervised and you keep him calm.
Just remember that the vets advise is for the good of your poor little kitty. In a couple of weeks he should be just fine. Good luck with him.
2007-12-07 17:01:30 · answer #3 · answered by Audrey A 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If hes really hyper and tends to try to get at it, I would get one of those collars, if hes hanging out with you, take it off so he has some time without it and you can stop him yourself when he tries to get at it. As far as keeping him calm, thats a toughy, and without some kind of mild sedative, impossible. Keep him confined when you cant keep an eye on him so he doesnt get into trouble. If hes a real handful, talk to your vet.
2007-12-07 16:47:44 · answer #4 · answered by chevalrose 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does he enjoy being petted? After my cat was spayed, she was very hyper as well. I finally ended up spending hours holding her on my lap and petting her...she enjoys that enough that she stayed calm.
Otherwise, restrict the rooms in your house that he has access to so there is less space for running/jumping. Can you block the stairs to prevent running up and down?
2007-12-07 16:49:32 · answer #5 · answered by Jenny 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get him one of those collers
2007-12-07 16:49:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋