Question:
I'm new, so I would first like to say Hi to everyone. I'm glad and relieved to have found a place like this forum.

My cat has recently been treated for Pyometra. She had her uterus removed a few days ago and now we're waiting 10 days before we can take off her stitches. The problem is, only today, she's begun licking her sutures. She doesn't stop and it requires us to look after her all the time. She has a "lampshade" collar but because her body is so long, she's able to get to her stitches anyway. I worry she'll damage something and hurt herself even more. Is this normal or should I try and contact my vet for further assistance?

She was operated on Saturday morning the 7th of April. So her wound is still pink and probably sensitive.

Thank you,

Azure

Answer:
It can be dangerous, as she could open up the wound or cause it to become infected. She may need another side lampshade, or they might have to try to bandage around her middle to keep her from licking the stitches. I know it's hard to keep her from doing it, but try not to let her, and call your vet to see if they can do something to keep her from getting at it, and I would ask about pain meds if they haven't given her any, she could be licking because it hurts.

Answer:
Thanks,

I'll call my vet tomorrow. At the moment all I can do is look after her. It's worrying, she gets to it in a split second. She takes antibiotics called Clavamox but no painkillers. They never mentionned she could have some when I went to get her. I'll make sure to mention it tomorrow.

Thank you,

Azure

Answer:
Definitely get a new e-collar and ask about possible pain killers.. Good luck!

Answer:
How about a larger cone shaped collar, you could make it with light weight plastic.

Answer:
She hasn't stopped since yesterday night licking herself. Thankfully I avoided the sutures area, but overnight I don't know what happened. I tried putting on a temporary bandage until this morning, but she wanted none of it.

I'll definitely ask about painkillers. I wonder if it's normal for cats to get painkillers after an operation, why they didn't mention it in the first place. The collar she has at the moment is in light transparant plastic. I'd say she'd need a slight bigger one, but she already has the difficulty in the world eating/drinking with it lol.

Thank you all for your help. I'll see throughout the day what happens after my call to my vet

Azure

Answer:
Originally Posted by Azure
but she already has the difficulty in the world eating/drinking with it lol.

Thank you all for your help. I'll see throughout the day what happens after my call to my vet

Azure

Defenetly get a bigger one, fur sure she has problems eating and drinking, just take it off when she eats and drink , put it back on when you can't watch her or at night.

Answer:
Vets don't usually give cats pain meds unless requested. It's absolutely ridiculous. When we get cats and dogs done at the spay clinic, the dogs come back with pain meds, the cats don't. It is true that there are not as many pain meds that have been approved for cats as opposed to dogs, but it's almost like people don't think cats feel pain. I don't know why cats are discriminated against.

And the e-collars come in many different sizes, I'm sure they can find one that fits better.

Let us know what the vet says.

Answer:
Something you might also want to consider is putting her in a small crate. If it's small enough, she won't be able to turn her head well enough because the cone will be too big for her to turn. On a good note, usually the inside has done alot of the healing within the first 48 hours so any damage she does will be on the outside. Of course, you don't want that to happen either.
Good Luck!

Answer:
I just got back from my vet. They gave her a new collar which seems to be slightly bigger. Hopefully it'll do the trick. I'll keep an eye on her for next time she tries to lick herself, see if she's still able to reach it. It's unbelievable how snake-like she becomes when she stretches lol.

They gave me no meds. They said the reason why she twitched and got agitated was because it was healing and she licked it to relieve the tickleness.

Azure

Answer:
Originally Posted by Azure
They said the reason why she twitched and got agitated was because it was healing and she licked it to relieve the tickleness.

Azure

That's right, it always takes a couple of days before it itches, just like for us. Don't worry , she will be allright in a couple of days.

Answer:
Everything's going well now. Although she was able to take off her collar, I had to tighten it a little more lol. Other than that, she stopped licking/scratching her stitches. She only has one week left before we have to take it off!

Azure

Answer:
Good to hear that she is healing well!

Answer:
Awww, I always hate to hear when vets won't give pain meds. Amazingly, the medical world used to feel the same way about newborns and young babies - not all that long ago either. But any small being that breathes and is alive can feel pain and deserves not to be in severe pain!! I would make sure your kitty is comfortable and don't be afraid to ask your vet for pain meds for her. Glad to hear she is on the mend!

Answer: