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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Kitten just been spayed, won't keep lampshade on, what else can I do?

30 replies

BakerStreetSaxRift · 08/03/2014 10:30

We got her spayed yesterday, got her home. She won't wear the collar, keeps pulling it off then going for her stitches. I can't pull the collar any tighter as I'm worried it'll strangle her, there is no space between the tie in it and her neck, but she still manages to get it over her head.

What else can I do? I once saw a cat wearing a little jacket after an operation, can you buy these? I can't find them on Zooplus. Also it might have been a boy cat or a different operation/wound area. Has anyone ever seen these or used one? The vet is closed today so can't ask.

OP posts:
Original poster
BakerStreetSaxRift · 08/03/2014 10:34

Could I put some surgical tape on the wound?

OP posts:
EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 08/03/2014 10:43

Baker - We've had cats for many years and had them all neutered (boys and girls) and none of them have ever been given a collar, so is this a new idea?

If you're really worried, your Vet's surgery should have an alternative out-of-hours number you could call. Alternatively, Pets-at-Home have an in-house vet, perhaps you could ask there.

Sorry not to be of more help. Good luck!

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/03/2014 10:43

Babygro?

BertieBotts · 08/03/2014 10:45

Don't put anything on the wound, it will probably itch and make her fiddle with it more.

I'd just leave the collar off and see how she goes. Lots of surgeries apparently don't use them any more.

I think there is a new product but I can't remember what it's called - saw it on here though so someone will know :)

cozietoesie · 08/03/2014 10:47

Is she really going for her stitches? (As opposed to having a quick look and then doing something else.)

There's a different sort of collar that you can get which is like a sort of sausage, I think. (Where from, I don't know but I'll try to find out - or maybe your vet practice would have them. I'd give them a quick buzz because they should still be open this morning.)

Original poster
BakerStreetSaxRift · 08/03/2014 10:48

Sorry if not clear, the collar is the lampshade collar thing. My parent's cat had one 15 years ago so it's not new, maybe only cats who keep trying to pull their stitches out while at the vets get one?

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Solaia · 08/03/2014 10:50

Is she actually pulling or gnawing at the stitches or is she just interested in them and sniffing/licking them?

We had our kitten spayed about 6 weeks ago and at first we were worried she was attacking the stitches but it was fine, she was just exploring what had happened to her.

Our vet told us she's only ever seen a small handful of cats that have actually pulled out stitches and NEEDED a collar. Most are fine.

Are the stitches on the side or on the midline (tummy)? Apparently the side ones are easier for them to get to. With the midline ones the stitches are tucked away inside.

You could just keep an eye on her and distract her if she goes for the scar. If you are worried though call a vet!

Original poster
BakerStreetSaxRift · 08/03/2014 10:55

She is trying to lick them I think, not sure if it's because it's sore, or if she's curious about them, or if she just feels dirty because she's nor been able to have a bath, or if she is trying to lick the bald patch rather than the stitches.

Everytime she goes near them I shout No!

There is a little bit at the bottom of the wound that looks a tiny bit bloody and not quite pulled together, I'm worried if she licks it the wound will burst open.

I was thinking of putting Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream on it as that always helped my own claw wounds to heal quickly! I won't

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cozietoesie · 08/03/2014 10:56

\link{http://www.vetuk.co.uk/veterinary-supplies-pet-medicals-c-141_438/comfy-collar-an-alternative-to-elizabethan-collar-p-2535\This} is the type I was referring to - just google on 'cat comfy collar' or 'cat inflatable collar' and you should see some.

I don't know how you would get one fast though. I've never had to use a collar on any of mine - just distracted them until they fell asleep or found something more interesting. If she really is worrying at the stitches, though, I'd give the vet a quick phone.

cozietoesie · 08/03/2014 10:58

On general principle, best not to put human stuff (medicines, unguents etc) on animals. They can have surprisingly bad reactions to them. (And some are actually poisonous to them.)

If it looks as if the stitches are going, I'd call the vet.

TheOneWithTheNicestSmile · 08/03/2014 11:05

My vet now doles out cones as standard (didn't used to)

BakerStreet, my kitten was spayed a couple of weeks ago & paid a lot of attention to her incision to begin with but pretty much ignored it after that. Can you leave her coneless for a bit & just watch her?

I wonder, if she continues to pay too much attention to it, if you could cut the foot off an appropriately sized sock & slide the ankle part over her incision?

Original poster
BakerStreetSaxRift · 08/03/2014 11:07

I'm surprised so few cats get the lampshade, I thought they all did. That is reassuring. I might leave it off next time she pulls it off and just see how she gets on then.

I guess if she gets a chance to orient lick her wound out will probably hurt a bit and that might encourage her to leave it.

The little gaping bit at the end of the wound hasn't got any bigger since yesterday, and it is small, I'm just worried if she managed to get her tongue or claw in through that little opening and open the next stitch it would all unravel.

Thank you all for your help.

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BertieBotts · 08/03/2014 11:14

They used to (ours did 17 years ago as you say!) but it's not so common now - my cat who was neutered about 5 years ago didn't have one.

There will be internal stitches and external stitches so don't worry that if it opens her insides will fall out - the risk would be risk of infection, obviously do take her in if the outer stitches come open.

cozietoesie · 08/03/2014 11:14

Well it sounds as if she's not keeping it on anyway so I think I'd leave it off and see how she does. You'll need to be in the same room with her and keep a weather eye on her - and distract her with something gentle and non-acrobatics inducing.

And not every animal needs/uses a collar. i suspect that vets probably have to give them out these days - or maybe they're put on just after the op and in the recovery cage for when they're waking up and stupid.

Lonecatwithkitten · 08/03/2014 11:26

You can use a babies t shirt or pair of pants to stop her licking at the wound. If you are using a cone the collar should be sufficiently tight that you can just get two fingers between it and your cats neck if the collar is this tight it is impossible for a cat to get it over their head.
Sadly cats can take all their stitches out so their insides fall out and then require expensive major surgery I see about one every 5 years. So far they have all been fine.

cozietoesie · 08/03/2014 11:29

......so their insides fall out ......

Blimey.

knittedslippersx3 · 08/03/2014 11:36

Ours wouldn't keep her collar on either. We got a jacket from the vets (like a dog coat). She wriggled out of that as well. I gave up in the end. Mine sleep in the kitchen so I figured that if she took the collar/coat off at night there was nothing I could do so during the day I adopted the same attitude. She licked and picked at them but they were fine. A very stressful time until the stitches came out though.

Ludways · 08/03/2014 11:46

I've never used a lampshade off any pet. They all forgot about the wounds very quickly and left them alone.

Is she pulling at the stitches or just licking it.

thereinmadnesslies · 08/03/2014 11:56

I would call the vet for advice. My cat managed to slip her cone off while we were out for an hour, and then attacked the stitches and reopened the wound. It was grim and she had to have a further op to repair the damage.

catameringue · 08/03/2014 13:43

I would give up with the collar but observe her closely and see whether it's just licking or actual biting of the stitches. Then you'll know whether to worry or not. I stuck my cat in a dog cage in the living room during the day initially until I trusted her to leave it alone.

Original poster
BakerStreetSaxRift · 08/03/2014 13:54

I suppose I've not given her long enough to see what it is she's actually doing with the stitches because I panic and shout at her. I think she's just licking them. But it might also be licking her bald patch because the hair is growing back and it's itchy? Our would that not happen for a few days yet?

She has fallen asleep now with the lampshade on now, she didn't sleep at all last night, so at least this will give it some peace.

I do NOT want her insides to fall out! Shock

She keeps trying to scratch her ear and just scratching the plastic cone though, wee shame. I'm scratching it for her.

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cozietoesie · 08/03/2014 14:05

I've seen with my boys that they have a couple of licks and then leave the site alone. That doesn't bother me whereas fevered washing/worrying would. Maybe she's got used to the thing though.

Kundry · 08/03/2014 14:32

Mine (9 years ago) didn't have lampshades. They mucked about with their stitches and one even pulled some out but they were fine - they heal really quickly.

Original poster
BakerStreetSaxRift · 09/03/2014 09:37

Okay, the cone is off and I'm following her round like a shadow!

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TheOneWithTheNicestSmile · 09/03/2014 11:40

Good luck Smile hope she leaves it alone