Sassy cats — Gus on the mend and a rant on cones

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This is the one that is flat like a paper plate. It has a velcro closing so it’s easy to put on and off. We use it for short stints. The bad part is that it interferes with his peripheral vision.

It’s the peep today. Gus is doing well. He finished the last of the pain medications yesterday and seems to be ok. He is able to jump up on everything and bang his cone for attention. (He learned that fast!)

He came out of solitary confinement this past Wednesday. He is a social cat. He was feeling better but was lonely and not getting exercise. When I let him out, he had to walk through the entire house to make sure nothing changed. He got his steps in for the day.

We sent the vet photos of his butt to make sure all was well. The vet said it looked like it should. I will spare you those photos. A healthy cat butt is gross enough. One with surgical scars, antiseptic stains and black stitches is really gross.

Gus in the donut collar. This one is too big. Fitting a collar for a cat is tricky business.

He doesn’t quite have the spatial adjustment down for the cone yet. Sasha came up to him and allowed him to groom her until he bonked her with the cone. She was out of there fast! His biggest disappointment (and mine) is that he can’t clean his booty. I’ve washed the fur back there but I can’t get the surgical area wet and that’s the stinky part. Vet appointment on Tuesday. I’m hoping they can spray it or do something to help him along.

The grays still give him a wide berth but only Morgan hisses at him. Progress. After today, it’s three more cone days. If the vet says anything different I can guarantee there will be a meltdown and it won’t be Gus.

The dreaded vet cone.

As for cones — yikes! We can go to the moon but can’t come up with a friendlier barrier. The vet gave us the stock hard plastic. I bought three and had one left over from Morgan (she never used it). The first inflatable was too big even though it was for his neck size. The span (9 to 12 inches) was too big for his 10 inch neck. Even if I didn’t fully inflate it, he couldn’t manage. It was like having a mattress around his neck. He had trouble walking. I ordered the next size down. That was appropriate for a parakeet and nothing more. I wondered if the medium size I received was mismarked. The cones themselves do not have the size marked on them. It’s on the box and it felt a lot more like a large.

The soft one was very flat, like putting a paper plate around his neck. The last one was too big and he could pull his head through it easily. None of my attempts at making this more comfortable worked. I could have tried something from our local pet store but the cost was three times more than Amazon or Chewy.

Sasha thinks this is close enough until he gets rid of that headdress!

Cones are like wedding dresses. They should be fitted for the specific pet. A manly cat like Gus wasn’t going anywhere they sell prom gowns.

Fingers crossed for good news on Tuesday.

52 thoughts on “Sassy cats — Gus on the mend and a rant on cones”

  4. I was hoping you’d steal blogging rights from Gracie and report on Gus – glad he is progressing and off his pain meds and hope Tuesday works out – paws and fingers crossed at your end, here too (fingers only).

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  8. I love that cosmic cone on Gus! The colour really suits him too. Of course, no cone is the best look of all but DAMN, it really suits him 😁
    Seriously though, wishing a speedy rest of his recovery!

    Deb

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  13. Curious, doesn’t Gus (or the others if they wore one) try to get the cone off? All my past (and present) pets would’ve been fighting with it. BTW, I didn’t know your cats got married and wore a wedding dress. 😁😉

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  14. Poor Gus. Cones are rough and cats are so flexible. It’s easier for dogs, although more painful to have a dog constantly whacking you with their cone. Woofie used to enjoy using his to terrorize Fey and get our attention. (There’s only so much cone-to-shin” action a human can take before getting a dog the inflatable or the pillow!)

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    • I am also hoping that they can do a “wash” of some sort to get rid of the smell. Two weeks without a wash on the butt area is pungent. The house is shrouded in towels wherever he may sit.

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  18. When Sophie was spayed she had a cone that was small. It was a VETone clinic collar V1 608006 7.5 cm. and could be adjusted to fit. It was perfect. Might work for Gus. Maybe a pet store would have one if your vet doesn’t.

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    • Gus may have the same thing. His is 10 cm and there are two adjustments. However, the loops dig down and the edge is stiff. Wish they would have put a rubber bumper next to the neck for more comfort and made the loop softer. Most of these cones can be used for a dog or cat. Dogs are very different. I wish I could have found one that was specifically for a cat.

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  19. Kate, couldn’t you just wipe it off a little bit? You know it’s got to be itchy from being icky. I’m thinking he probably doesn’t like how he smells either. I’m also thinking they told you not to mess with it. I know it’s driving him crazy!!!! It’s driving me crazy thinking it’s driving him crazy and now I am driving you crazy!!!!

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    • I was told not to touch the surgical area (which is the stinky part). I’ve washed the fur on his haunches, legs and feet and that helped. BTW I was only instructed to wipe with a damp cloth and that did diddly squat! If they don’t do something on Tuesday, I’m afraid I will! Yes, he knows he smells. He’s constantly trying to reach it. It must itch too. Three more days (I never count the day I’m in)

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  20. So glad that Gus is making progress and out of solitary confinement! But feel your pain and frustration with the cone! Our Yorkie had to wear one and it was awful! Rooting for good news on Tuesday to save both of you from meltdowns! And Sasha will be so happy as well. 🙂

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  21. He’s on the home stretch! And so are you. Soon this will be a distant memory with many funny stories to tell. I hope. I’m glad that Sasha is at least letting him near her.

    Big macho cuddles for the manly dude!

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  22. Definitely hoping for good news on Tuesday. Poor you and poor Gus!! I haven’t had to use a cone in a few years, but had to resort to a cloth one for Minnie’s spay. With only three legs the surgical suit wasn’t an option. Luckily we all survived and it is off her now.

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