Hi Mamas,
Our kittens (2 of them) were spayed today, and we were warned that they shouldn't lick the incision site, and that if they did, we should get cones. Well . . . we instantly had to get cones! Now they want to lick EACH OTHER'S incision sites. Ugh. And they can't eat or drink with the dang cones. And how will they sleep? Right now they are in the cones in separate bathrooms. The recovery is supposed to be 10-14 days though! How will we all survive? The incisions are closed with internal dissolvable sutures and glue on the outside if that helps.
MORE INFO: I'm not sure I understand the tube sock concept--I can't imagine these kitties not just rolling it up if it isn't secured on the rear end, but if it is, how do they pee/poop? The cone is the smallest size available on the smallest setting. They are just kittens. They can't get in the regular dish because it bumps too soon, and if I give them just a little bowl that fits within the small circumference of the cone, they bump it first and knock it over. Argh.
Thanks!!!!
It's not abnormal for kittens to suck on or chew the incisions of litter mates, or close friends. Typically, that's only when they are fresh. You should not have to keep the cones on for 10-14 days. They will lose interest as the site starts to heal more. They can eat, drink, and sleep. The cones (although annoying) are made to accommodate all of that.
Yup. Close kitty friends groom each other. Very cute, but not very helpful for stitches.
Sleeping with the cones won't be a problem... Have you SEEN some of the ways cats will contort themselves to sleep? Lol. As far as eating and drinking, if they really seem to be having a problem you can take the cone off a few times a day, supervise them for half an hour or so while they have access to food and water, then put it back on. Obviously, more often just for water. Honestly though, none of the animals I have ever cared for while in the cone of shame have had issues eating or drinking. (I used to rescue and rehab "un adoptable" animals, so I have cared for several who were recovering from injuries.) They will usually only lick at it during the initial phase, when he sensation of the stitches and beginning of healing feels weird. Once they are used to the sensation, they will usually leave it alone.
get some tube socks and cut the tube part off. This is what I did when we had our cat spayed years ago. She did try to take it off but it was harder and lasted long enough for the incisions to heal. Make sure it is a soft sock.
If they can't eat or drink with the cones, you got too big a size cone.
Instead of the cone, you can try what worked for my cat. Cut the toe out of a tube sock and slip it over the cat's abdomen like a tube top on a person. It will take two people to do this. We found the easiest way was to have my daughter scruff the cat while I put my arm through the sock, grabbed the cat's back legs (both her feet in on of my hands), and pull them through the sock.
I am going to say you have the wrong size cones. We have never had issues with our pets eating/drinking with the cones.
Could you please post a picture of your kitties in cones? It sounds super cute!
Sorry I'm not much help. My kitten is a boy and he healed really fast.
Hmm, they should still be able to eat and drink with the cones. If not the cones are too big. Only allowing them access to food and particularly water for a half hour or so twice a day is not enough!
What you can try is elevating the bowl off the ground so they can reach it.
Our puppy had a cone when she was spayed and really had to wear it the entire 2 weeks as she always wanted to lick her incision... they do get used to the cone though and a lot better at eating and drinking with it on.
i had to use the bitter apple spray, sprayed on my fingers and then rubbed around (not on, obviously) the incision site. the cone sent my kitten into frantic paroxysms that i feared would injure her.
cats have an innate need to groom themselves. it's way harder for them to deal with the cones than it is for dogs.
i strongly suggest the spray.
khairete
S.
You only need to keep the cones on for 4-5 days. And yes, the cones are too big if they can't eat or drink with them on. You can put bandaids or waterproof bandages like these: http://tinyurl.com/mn2m26b on the incisions to further deter the licking. Just be forewarned, the waterproof ones can be difficult to get off, but they work the best.
