buster collars in cats

Re: buster collars in cats

hannah20 — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:06:19 GMT

we use quick release collars on our buster collars and since ive worked there I have not seen a problem with this, the only issues is sometimes the cat can get them off too easily if they get their paw in the hole!

Re: buster collars in cats

BengalcatRVN — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:52:47 GMT

Seen cats outside with with buster collars, always thought they were more at risk from getting caught up somewhere.

Re: buster collars in cats

Phrin Vernon RVN — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:59:09 GMT

I'd love to know what rescue is advising that!

In 12-13 years, I too have never seen a problem with buster collars apart from the odd stuck foot.

Seen plenty of cases where the o has declined BC or took if off at home, and cat has come in OOH needing to be resutured!

Even seen a c section cat die after went home, owners let it out straight away, it climbed a tree and bust the wound! Her insides were outside, surgery didn't work, and the nurses at the practice ended up raising the kittens as the o wasn't bothered about them!

Re: buster collars in cats

Denise — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:07:04 GMT

Thank you everyone at least I can tell her I have asked lots more experienced nurses. i will also offer a comfy collar (good suggestion) if she books ans find out the name of the rescue centre!

Re: buster collars in cats

Vicky RVN — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:32:31 GMT

Been in practice around 5 years, never seen a cat die from a buster collar!

Re: buster collars in cats

Sally Howe — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:24:45 GMT

In 20 years I've only seen/ heard the odd paw stuck, never heard or seen one die x

Re: buster collars in cats

BengalcatRVN — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:24:51 GMT

never had a problem in my 9 yrs of nursing either, we include buster collars in all our estimates, and place them as the animals are waking up on the table, as personal experiance showed me cats tollerate them better if they wake up with them on (my own cats!)

That way, no one can sue if they pull the sutures out. I explain that the cat needs to be watched , an adv how to place them without discomfort. But its up to the owner.

Re: buster collars in cats

Sophie Bedford RVN CertVNECC — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:49:11 GMT

Thanks Claire, good to know re NVS!

Re: buster collars in cats

Claire Coulthard RVN — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:43:34 GMT

comfy collars are available from NVS either individually or in a pack of sizes 1-5

never had any problems with busters other than the ones already mentioned above

Re: buster collars in cats

Sophie Bedford RVN CertVNECC — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:34:47 GMT

Hey all, I've never heard of this happening either but I'm shocked a rescue is basically saying don't use a vet that puts sutures in! We have the smart collars that are poppered shut so even if a cat gets a let stuck they generally then undo the poppers and release themselves anyway. However, I have started looking at and offering the below comfy collars as these restrict movement to be able to reach a wound but still allow the animal to breathe/eat/see etc... might be worth looking at if you are worried about it.

They are a bit more expensive though and from memory they aren't available from NVS yet.

http://www.comfycollars.co.uk/?gclid=CNzypY6nqKkCFQoY4QodOD36LQ

I used one on my english bully when she was spayed as she couldn't eat/drink with a buster collar on. She got on really well with this one and slept well in it too.

Re: buster collars in cats

Steph Phillips — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:08:38 GMT

Never seen this happen either! Like others - see cats fight to get them off and get paws / nails stuck, but thats about it!

Re: buster collars in cats

Nicola Smith — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:50:45 GMT

I hav seen a kitten who removed collar and ate the wow bandage and ended up with linear fb and owner threatening to sue us. Kitten did survive but touch and go. I think incidents like these are uncommon though.

Re: buster collars in cats

Susan Jackson — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:28:37 GMT

I'm the same, never had a problem with cats dying just the occasional foot stuck.

I've recently been reminded how important they are and not to get complacent. Had two cat castrates in, not at same time but within about 2 months of each other. Both decided to lick wounds and caused excessive bleeding and swelling, not pretty! Thankfully they were observed doing it in practice and had head collars fitted. now I say cat collars for all not jut the girls.

Have known cats to have internal sutures and tissue glue still open up their wounds. I would say with advising head collars I know that a few cats have been prevented from pulling their wounds open. However had cat with head collar, took head collar off at home and chew one stich after another each time it came off. O kept taking it off..... ..... you'd think they'd learn!

Re: buster collars in cats

Fuzzyduck — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:15:50 GMT

Ive never heard of cats dying while wearing buster collars and have been in practice for 12 years.

We use subcut sutures and tissue glue in almost all of our routine ops and still send every animal home wearing a buster collar which the owners are told to keep in place until their 2 day check up.

Other than pulling them off and occasionally getting feet stuck in them i have never encountered a problem

Re: buster collars in cats

Julie-Anne Wilson — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:13:13 GMT

I've never heard of this happening. I've seen plenty of cats get their paws stuck in the neck hole but never heard of any actually choking.