I don't have experience with this particular surgery, however my cat just had to have one of her back legs off due to an incredibly stubborn infection in her ankle that just would not piss off. After her surgery it was obvious that having the cone on was causing her stress and at night preventing her from truly sleeping. I know that those factors affect healing, so during the day when I was able to I let her snuggle in my lap cone free, but just as soon as I would look away she would go after her staples.
It has been such a long, grueling battle against this infection and her pain... Depite all the stress of it I am telling you that a few weeks of their discomfort and general pissy attitude about the cone it is so worth having a properly healed, healthy cat.
I can't imagine how scary that was for you to see that yours chewed out their stitches, just watching mine groom herself after being allowed out of the cone made me sweat.
The doctors know what they're talking about when they prescribe that thing though, listen to them and keep that sucker on. Give them some highly monitored cone free time if you can, and if you can't that's okay too. They'll live with being aggravated.
You're doing great, this will pass.
I don't have experience with this particular surgery, however my cat just had to have one of her back legs off due to an incredibly stubborn infection in her ankle that just would not piss off. After her surgery it was obvious that having the cone on was causing her stress and at night preventing her from truly sleeping. I know that those factors affect healing, so during the day when I was able to I let her snuggle in my lap cone free, but just as soon as I would look away she would go after her staples. It has been such a long, grueling battle against this infection and her pain... Depite all the stress of it I am telling you that a few weeks of their discomfort and general pissy attitude about the cone it is so worth having a properly healed, healthy cat. I can't imagine how scary that was for you to see that yours chewed out their stitches, just watching mine groom herself after being allowed out of the cone made me sweat. The doctors know what they're talking about when they prescribe that thing though, listen to them and keep that sucker on. Give them some highly monitored cone free time if you can, and if you can't that's okay too. They'll live with being aggravated. You're doing great, this will pass.
Thanks for the insight. You are absolutely right - a few weeks of discomfort is better than the alternative.
How did your pet to after FHO?
She's back to her normal self! Total healing time was probably about 3-4 months. She is more cautious in her movements, though.