Pip the kitten... spay problem question

[radfringe]

We brought Pip home from the vet yesterday, she was spayed.

She has stitches and started picking at them last night. As a temporary measure we took a sock, cut off the toe and made a "belly band". Problem is the "belly band" has a tendency to roll up. We tried reinforcing it with tape - but for some strange reason Pip will just flop on the floor and refuse to move. Take the tape off, and she's fine.

Ennywho - I will be calling the vet today for one of those "cone heads". The cone-head will solve the problem of being able to pick at the stitches, but it presents a secondary dilemma.

We have a gate between where the litter boxes are, cat food bowls and the rest of the house to prevent our dogs from eating the cat food or helping themselves to the litter box.

The cats are able to get through the gate - HOWEVER - if we put a cone head on Pip - she will probably not be able to fit through the gate.

Is there any "topical" ointment/spray we could put on her stiches to make them taste bad and discourage her from picking at them? We tried GREEN APPLE - she seems to like it

She goes back to the vet on the 28th to have the stitches removed.

----cross-posted in pets forum

[AirmensMom]

1. Set up a bed for her

on the litter box side of the gate. It's temporary, after all.

Oh, and if she's a little kitten, you can make your own collar out of a paper plate. We did that once. Just cut a neck-sized hole in it, slit it down the side, put it on, and tape the slit shut. We only had a Christmas plate at the time, with poinsettias on it. So we called our kitty the flower kitty. She looked so comical! :rofl:

[radfringe]

2. thanks for the plate plate tip....

worked for about 5 minutes. She shredded it and is now playing with the remnents.

the paper plate wasn't a "light weight" one...

Ohhhh well, off to the vet's office I go later this morning

[AirmensMom]

3. LOL!

:rofl: Must be they made stronger plates back in our kitten's day. Sorry 'bout that. Guess we just got lucky or something. Maybe you should have tried one with a flower on it so she'd think it was a decoration.

Good luck!

[SoxFan]

4. If she's like her namesake, you won't win

Our Pip Cat is a mischievous, determined, and clever little piece of work, so you may have your work cut out for you!

[Betty88]

5. try the sock thing again but put little holes in it for her legs

I don't know if it would work but would love to see a picture :)

[radfringe]

7. tried that

she flops over on her side, won't move... lol

I did find a large plastic container, trimmed it down, and cut a hole in the bottom. padded the edge. Seems to be working so far

[Maralee]

6. Cone head

Try putting the cone head thing on her backwards ... with the big part over her back instead of in front of her head. She'll be able to eat and get around better and still won't be able to get at her stitches. It worked for one of mine ... scritches to the kitty.

Long time reader ... obviously not much of a poster :)

[Debi]

8. Whatever you do could you please provide pictures?

I feel bad for poor little Pip but am giggling at what some of these ideas might look like!

[montanto]

9. go with the cone head thing and

take it off for short periods under supervision. I had a cat that wouldn't leave stitches alone without it. Its kinda cruel, but kinda funny in a way too. My cat would only walk backward with the thing on!

[davsand]

10. My ex used Campho Phenique (sp?) one time. Worked great.

We had a cat fixed who insisted on licking and messing with those stitches. My ex had worked for a vet for a few years and that was his solution to the problem.

Cats dislike strong smells, so it might be worth trying some sort of strong smelling ointment around the perimeter of the wound (NOT on the wound unless the vet says ok!)

Good luck!


Laura