I just got off the phone (2nd time) with the vet tech to see how Cooper is doing. She mentioned that he has a cone on to prevent him from licking after his neuter (1 testicle regular, 1 cryptorchid (sp?))
It sounds like his surgery was a bit more involved than a regular neuter but less than a spay. I wasn't expecting him to come home with a cone.
She told me they always do it and even though he's bound to hate it (which will make me fell so bad for him) - it's better he hate it than lick it and cause problems with healing.
Apparently, they say he should wear it for a week to 10 days! Does that seem wrong?
I think that different vet's do things differently, they have policies that has worked for them. Katie didn't have a cone for her spay and now that Dex's kahonies are big enough and both in the right place (finally) he is going in three weeks and won't need a cone.
I hope that little Cooper is feeling better fast
Thank you! I don't even have him home yet (picking him up in 3 hours) and I'm already sure he hates the cone. In theory it might not be so bad...but I suspect it will be rough for the next week to 10 days. I'm glad to have it behind us though. Hopefully he'll heal quickly and the ear issue will resolve as well.
We never have needed to use a cone - even for spays. Try without and see if he is too focused on the wound. I would be very surprised if he needed it that long, if at all.
My boy licked his wound for a while after neutering and the vet said that was okay. I suppose as long as it wasn't excessive to the point of the area not healing. That cone for 10 days thing sounds extreme to me! I would seriously question the vet about that.
I really like the vet...but we're not seeing eye to eye on this one. They even suggested I separate Cooper and Newman when I'm not home or not awake so Newman can't lick Cooper's incisions. That sounds ok in theory but they would both be really, really upset. I guess I'll play it by ear and watch Newman (and hope he doesn't lick much) and maybe see if we can last 2-3 days with the cone on Cooper. I get off work early on Friday and will be home thru Tuesday so maybe I'll just leave the cone on him until then and see how he does with it off when I can supervise.
I really, really don't want him to have any problems with healing or infection but I'd also like him to not be miserable if it isn't really necessary.
(09-01-2010 05:05 PM)halebop Wrote: [ -> ]I really like the vet...but we're not seeing eye to eye on this one. They even suggested I separate Cooper and Newman when I'm not home or not awake so Newman can't lick Cooper's incisions. That sounds ok in theory but they would both be really, really upset. I guess I'll play it by ear and watch Newman (and hope he doesn't lick much) and maybe see if we can last 2-3 days with the cone on Cooper. I get off work early on Friday and will be home thru Tuesday so maybe I'll just leave the cone on him until then and see how he does with it off when I can supervise.
I really, really don't want him to have any problems with healing or infection but I'd also like him to not be miserable if it isn't really necessary.
When Katie came home from her spay it was almost as if Dexter and the pups sensed it and they all gave her the space she needed. I was surprised by how large the incision was but she hardly licked at all and definately wouldn't have needed a cone. Vets sometimes just have their patterns in place and use it as a rule of thumb for all but if I was you I would do exactly what you're doing, by playing it by ear
Awww I hope your lil boy's ok! xx
So glad the neutering surgery is done for sweet Cooper! He sure has been thru it with those surgeries, considering the first one was a spay attempt!
Phoenix came home on the 2nd day after his neutering and never wore a cone. I could clearly see the line/stitch mark and he never bothered it at all.
It would really bother me as well to have to put a cone on a kitten's head, so I would not do the cone, and hope for the best. If he begins to incessantly lick the area, beyond a normal grooming routine, then maybe consider it for a couple days at the most.
I've also never had a cone on a girl or boy after surgery. Even had one done exactly like Cooper and no cone. Sounds like your vet is extra cautious, but then none of us have seen his incision!! I don't think I'd put it on him when you're with him as you'll be able to see if it's necessary. I'd also observe the boys together and see what happens before isolating your little fellow.