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The litter tray

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

help! kitten won't wear surgical collar

32 replies

HaroldMeeker · 27/09/2021 19:24

My 5 month old boy had surgery on Friday and won't wear the plastic collar the vet supplied. When i say " wont wear", i mean he can get out of it, no matter how tight its tied. Fair enough, its horrid and hard and uncomfortable.
I bought a blue fabric one, fastens with Velcro. He can get his head out in ten seconds.
I bought a fabric, cotton filled ring doughnut with a drawstring and toggle. Took him 24 hours to master it but now, its seconds before its off.
Today I bought babygrows. Cut a hole in the bum end as a video showed, put it on him and initially, it was a success. He looked comfy and cosy. 2 hours later, he's prancing around naked.
Problem is, he had abdominal surgery and he's at risk of further surgery if he doesn't stay calm, and doesn't leave the wound alone. He's isolated from his two litter mates partly because they're very active and he needs rest, but were spending loads of time with him (splitting time between them) and he's just too soon after surgery to let loose. Plus both girls hissed at him when he first came home smelling funny.
I feel really frustrated that I'm not keeping him safe, and tearful that he's in such distress. I haven't slept for a week.

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HaroldMeeker · 27/09/2021 19:26

We are spending loads of time with him, that should say. Oh for an edit button...

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PinkFootstool · 27/09/2021 19:27

How is the babygro closed? Poppers? Can you sew him into it?

Maximuss · 27/09/2021 19:28

Have you tried the plastic collar with a kitten collar through the holes? Rather than tying it on

dementedpixie · 27/09/2021 19:32

You can get specific cat surgical suits. Could you try one of them?

Theunamedcat · 27/09/2021 19:34

Can you put him in a crate?

Ask the vet for something to relax him? My vet gave my one cat drugs to relax him I rang up and told them they were unsuitable why? He was humping everything 🤣 so they switched them to something that relaxed him 😌

HaroldMeeker · 27/09/2021 19:35

The effort he puts into removing these collars is extreme - I've never seen contortions like it. It looks like its probably worse for him than no collar, as he's not really bothering the wound beyond the odd lick. I'm at my wits end.

The babygrow is on with the bum up at his head, I cut a hole in it for his head, so the neck opening is at his bum for tray use. I think the body's too short, so I'll make it longer tomorrow by sewing in a few more cms.

I didn't ask my question, which was

Anyone got any other suggestions?

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Rupertpenrysmistress · 27/09/2021 19:38

No help I am afraid. My kitten did this I was amazed she had different collars and surgical suits, I have up in the end, luckily she left her wound alone. Can you speak to the vet in the morning?

Rupertpenrysmistress · 27/09/2021 19:39

I mean I gave up in the end and she left her wound alone.

TaraR2020 · 27/09/2021 19:43

Well I can't believe you asked for our collective wisdom without sharing a picture of the little mite!!

But that aside, another vote here for trying surgical cat wrap things or speak to vet about a bitter wound spray that would hopefully discourage licking while soothing any itching

HaroldMeeker · 27/09/2021 19:44

I had no idea those surgical suits existed! Thank you, one on order now for delivery tomorrow.

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HaroldMeeker · 27/09/2021 19:48

Before he stripped...

help! kitten won't wear surgical collar
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RightsHoardingDinosaur · 27/09/2021 19:52

He's a cutie!

No, no suggestions except a larger babygro, which you've already thought of.

Snailhaterz2 · 27/09/2021 19:55

Snap! Mine went back to the vet today for a check-up, was given a cloth collar which they said would be much harder to remove than the plastic one - and had that off in the hour... I phoned round vets and found one with a body suit thing, got the damn thing home and its too small - could get head and front paws in but pulling it down over her bottom half would've been like wearing a surgical stocking, and wouldn't have done her wound any good. I now need to find a larger one with velcro or similar.. Aargh.

TaraR2020 · 27/09/2021 19:58

Oh he looks super cuddly!!

dementedpixie · 27/09/2021 20:01

My vet sold me the surgical suit thing

HaroldMeeker · 27/09/2021 20:06

My vet didn't give me anything but the plastic collar and a length of tie. I wish they'd have even mentioned the suits, I had the idea but using babygrows. They're never going to fit right. Thank goodness for mn Litter Tray!

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SummerSazz · 27/09/2021 20:24

Our kitten in her surgical suit. It worked wonderfully so hope yours does too OP

help! kitten won't wear surgical collar
mathanxiety · 27/09/2021 20:30

Mine was a Houdini too. DD4 stayed up with her for 48 straight hours.

HaroldMeeker · 27/09/2021 20:50

Oooh summersazz, she's beautiful!

I'm so happy about the suits as his sisters need the same op (umbilical hernia) done when they're spayed at the end of october. Im going to ignore the stupid collar and just go straight for the suits for them. Poor lad has been used as a guinea pig.

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Theunamedcat · 27/09/2021 20:51

I have a houdini cat I can't keep a collar on him he snaps them off immediately I bought him a brother he stripped his brothers off too literally grabbed it and kicked his head out of it I kept putting it back on his brother and so he hid it I now have THREE collarless all black cats Shock

PhiRhoSigma · 27/09/2021 20:56

Medical pet suit is working for ours!

help! kitten won't wear surgical collar
SummerSazz · 27/09/2021 21:09

@HaroldMeeker

Oooh summersazz, she's beautiful!

I'm so happy about the suits as his sisters need the same op (umbilical hernia) done when they're spayed at the end of october. Im going to ignore the stupid collar and just go straight for the suits for them. Poor lad has been used as a guinea pig.

Aww thanks - we think so too! I also tried to fashion one out of a baby grow and failed 🤣
silentpool · 27/09/2021 21:21

Plastic cone with a bandage tied through the holes around the neck. That defeated my escape artist.

HareofWestTown · 27/09/2021 21:44

Mine had her plastic cone out within minutes. She was thrashing around so violently, hitting her head against the wall and floor and then the cone popped off. I was so scared I put her in her carrier while googling for alternatives and found these surgical suits which I didn’t know existed. Luckily another vet near me had them one stock so I got one the same day. It was a bit small but I was able to get another one on Amazon next day delivery. That one suited her best Grin

help! kitten won't wear surgical collar
help! kitten won't wear surgical collar
HaroldMeeker · 28/09/2021 10:29

Hare, that's the exact problem - the thrashing and crashing is probably worse than anything. I think I've ordered the same suit as you, so fingers crossed. I'm currently cutting up the babygrow to see if I can get something workable.

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