Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

<sigh> I just knew that the cat neutering procedure wouldn't go completely to plan!

28 replies

Polgara2 · 02/05/2009 13:09

Cat went in yesterday to be neutered. Came home very groggy with very little control of her back legs (much to her surprise when they just didn't go where she expected them to ).

So, overnight she has pulled out one of her stitches (she is a little madam, we knew that!) so she has had to go back, get it stapled this time and is now sporting a very fetching cone collar! She is not a happy moggy but that's what you get for picking isn't it!

Although it is very amusing watching her walk backwards and attempt to get it off I do feel very sorry for her really. Anyone else's cat had one of these - do they get used to them eventually? I keep worrying that she will get it stuck somehow?

OP posts:

KingCanuteIAm · 02/05/2009 13:13

IME they don't get used to it, they find a corner to sit in and sulk. Mine tend to find a corner where they can be sure you can see them sulking - just so you know they blame you for the indignity!

wotulookinat · 02/05/2009 13:23

My cat had one when he had a sore bottom (don't ask!) - he used to walk around the edge of the room and was clearly upset by it. We took it off after one night as he was so upset, and luckily he didn't lick the cream off his bott.
I would leave it on if I were you until the stitches have healed.

Original poster

Polgara2 · 02/05/2009 13:26

Oh yes it is quite clear she is blaming us completely from the forlorn and doleful looks she is treating us to! She has managed to get herself comfy stretched out on the sofa and is snoozing (until you go near when she miaows indignantly at you).

Are they all right on their own overnight do you think? She sleeps downstairs at night but after last nights escapade I am feeling a little nervous about her!

OP posts:

wotulookinat · 02/05/2009 13:27

Oh yes, leave it on her overnight. She'll be fine. Just make sure she can get water - my cat kept knocking the bowl away with the collar.

Liskey · 02/05/2009 17:55

Mine got the cat collar off within half an hour after coming home from the vets having been spayed. She has always been far too clever for her own good, working out how to do things she's not meant to. Hopefully yours will keep the collar on for longer.

Original poster

Polgara2 · 02/05/2009 21:50

Oh yes she managed to untie the collar very quickly not sure how she managed as it was tied at the back but there you go!

She keeps trying to eat her food but even though we are virtually spoon feeding her she has a bit then decides its just too much effort and wanders off. She is really unhappy and just keeps lying down .

OP posts:

bella29 · 02/05/2009 22:10

Don't try to make her eat - she's probably still a bit woozy (presumably she was aneasthetised again to have the wound stapled?).

Just keep her warm and quiet and she should be brighter tomorrow.

Original poster

Polgara2 · 02/05/2009 22:17

No actually bella she didn't have anything when they stapled her . DH (who went in with her coz I am a wuss) said she didn't even miaow!

She is evidently hungry because she keeps going back to the food and we are now on the 4th type of container trying to find something she can get at.

OP posts:

bella29 · 03/05/2009 09:55

Yes, I remember having my JRT stapled conscious - vet waxed lyrical about how 'tough these little terriers are'. Didn't have the heart to tell him my dog wouldn't go outside to pee in the lightest rain

How is she today?

Original poster

Polgara2 · 03/05/2009 13:25

Well she is still very subdued and woe is me looking. She has managed to eat a bit but not lots really. She is spending most of her time sleeping - I think she has decided everything else is just too hard. The most noticeable thing is that she is too quiet. She usually is very vocal with her greetings and when she wants something but now.........just doleful silence .

OP posts:

Liskey · 03/05/2009 14:14

She will feel better soon - but in the meantime she's going to make you feel as guilty as possible in that sneaky cat way - and if she gets tuna out of it all the better.

(Can I call you Polly? love the name as another David Eddings fan )

Original poster

Polgara2 · 03/05/2009 16:12

I realise that I am probably panicking unnecessarily but she just is so not herself. She has just slept most of the day so far and doesn't really respond when you go to her and pet her - just looks at you and doesn't really move. I've just fed her a bit of chicken and tried to get a bit of water in her. Is this ok or is there something wrong? Can't bear the thought of anything happening to her

OP posts:

bella29 · 03/05/2009 16:23

Call your vet - she should be brighter by now. Best to speak to them though.

Good luck x

Original poster

Polgara2 · 03/05/2009 17:01

Update: have removed collar and she has eaten some of her wet food and is giving herself a thorough clean! I think the bits of chicken and water woke her up sort of thing and she is obviously elated to have the collar off. (Can you have a depressed cat????) If she starts on her staples again it will have to go back on and off again while she eats - that'll be fun then . I will keep an eye on her and if she doesn't continue to brighten I will ring them (mind you I don't think they open on a Sunday and it's Bank Hol isn't it) fingers crossed we don't need to.

Thanks

OP posts:

bella29 · 03/05/2009 18:19

Your vets should have a 24 hour contact service and really won't mind being called, especially in a situation like this.

I am not a vet but if she remains very quiet it could indicate she is still in a lot of pain (and may need more pain relief) or has an infection. The effects of the anaesthetic should have worn off completely by now.

Up to you, of course, but I would ring for a quick chat.

Original poster

Polgara2 · 03/05/2009 19:20

I was just thinking, she had an antibiotic injection yesterday, as she had opened her wound, to prevent any infection, could that be making her feel a bit off do you think? She is definitely brighter but still sleepy. She keeps having a clean in between naps and I think she is just asking for more food. I have been syringing water into her mouth as well.

If she is in pain would she be more vocal?

Will see how she is in the next few hours.

OP posts:

Original poster

Polgara2 · 04/05/2009 11:49

We have taken the collar off except for when she is unsupervised and she is totally back to her old self thank goodness! Apart from the fact that she seems to be permanently hungry.

Now I know that she has had food and drink and she CAN run around madly I am not too worried any more. I shall just have to ignore the moping about when the collar is on. She should be on the stage the act she puts on - you would think she was on death row .

Thanks for all your advice

OP posts:

Original poster

Polgara2 · 04/05/2009 12:32

Oh bum!! Because I am not feeling well this weekend I had foolishly left the dc in charge of watching what we thought was a sleeping cat. She has surreptitiously managed to pick at her staples and opened the wound again aaaarrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Have rung emergency vet who advised she would be ok to wait until tomorrow morning (with collar on of course) so we are now all worried about her AGAIN and will have to fork out for whatever they do tomorrow. S

oppy cat why couldn't she leave it alone like most cats do apparently!

OP posts:

KingCanuteIAm · 04/05/2009 21:50

Some cats just will not put up with indignity in any form! Could you get your vet to dress it and give you some spare dresing? If she chews at the dressing it will take her a while to get through it and, hopefully, you will have noticed by then and can re-wrap it - rather than haveing a collar on?

They are bloomin frustrating creatures though! Hopefully she will forgive you soon enough!

Original poster

Polgara2 · 04/05/2009 22:15

Gah - she is very frustrating you are right - on the flip side she is absolutely adorable and we love her to bits! DH is saying I am worrying too much as usual.

She is back to being miserable with collar on and moping again. Ho hum its going to be a long 10 days. Am so looking forward to another trip to the vets - not! Will ask him for alternatives.

Does it matter that she isn't drinking as long as she is eating her wet food do you think? See there I go again worrying.

OP posts:

KingCanuteIAm · 04/05/2009 22:19

You should try to get her to drink if you can, try getting a plastic beaker and filling it right up with water, offer it to her and hold it, it will fit into the cone without banging the sides and she should be sble to get her face in it to drink.

My cat is just like this, a frustrating drain on my patience - but I wouldn't be without him

IDidntRaiseAThief · 04/05/2009 22:27

seems an appropriate time to tell you this lighthearted bit of info, which made me pmsl!

my mum, who lives in Spain was saying that she saw a cat with an actual lampshade round it's head, the other day, instead of the cone thing.

Apparently it also had fringing!!

Cats eh.

They can glue these wounds, vet did this on one of my cats once for same reason.

Original poster

Polgara2 · 04/05/2009 22:32

I have tried that KingCanute but she just refuses it. May have to resort to syringing it in again - not that she is very impressed with that either.

That made me laugh Ididntraiseathief, goodness knows how they managed that.

Will ask about glue tomorrow - anything please that is less stressful than this. God this is like worrying about a third child how soft am I?

OP posts:

KingCanuteIAm · 04/05/2009 22:41

Lol, no she won't be impressed with syringing! If I were you I would just keep offering the beaker, hold it up so her nose is basically in it - touch it to her nose even (and hold her still so she cannot aback off). Even if she only has a lick to get the water off her nose each time it will help overall. After a while she may have a lick or two from the cup.

Top tip, I have found the best way to hold a cat (well a non-feisty one) is to kneel behind it then lift up slightly and back the cat inbetween your legs. Close you legs up a bit and use you arm around their front and lower your body over their back. This way you can hold them quite securley without too much pressure involved. Your physical presence around them helps convince them not to bother moving too much.

Top Top Tip, only ever use the above if you are confident your cat will not scratch you, otherwise you will possibly lose an eye and they will still get away

Original poster

Polgara2 · 04/05/2009 22:53

Hah top top tip very good point! Fortunately she is still only small so not really a problem getting her to stay still (well except when you are trying to hold her still AND put a collar on at the same time obviously).

She usually prefers to drink from the bath/shower or sink anyway rather than her bowl but she can't get her head close enough at the mo. Her feeding mat is looking very strange because it has sort of high containers taped to it to try and stop her pushing them along with the collar! Oh how we will laugh when we look back on this .

OP posts:

Flip

1 2