why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Jen — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:01:46 GMT

We had one recently too, ended up having a splenectomy as she had chewed chunks out of her spleen. Lovely little dog, mortified owners...such a shame! We are so careful......it's written on our pre op forms that everyone gets, on the consent form AND on the post op form! I dont think we can do much more. Thankfully she is doing really well now. Gutted though!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Claire Cameron — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:25:23 GMT

[quote user="Steph Phillips"]

[quote user="Stella Skelton"]

Steph - remember the client that took the cat's collar off and then let her out the same night she was spayed!! All her fat & guts were hanging out - had to come in to be re-stitched after a bloody good sterile clean. Some people really baffle me!!

[/quote]

...YES I DO!! omg she was a mess wasn't she!!! your right.. some people are just plain stupid Lol!!

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I saw a English Springer like this once post spey. They took B/C off and she chewed through everything, her intestines were covered in grit as they were trailing on the floor outside!

She did ok suprisingly and went ok and as far as I'm aware is still alive and kicking.

We use Soft E collars from Dunlops for routine ops. s seem to tolerate them much better!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Stella Skelton RVN — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:29:04 GMT

I agree - maybe post op problems should be highlighted in consent forms!! I still think collars are necessary though for both practices and animals like.

We didn't put collars on C-Section patients though. We warned the clients what could happen and why the animal couldn't have a collar. All of these types of patients i've seen have been too into the babies to bother with their wounds. We haven't had problems so far doing this.

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:21:09 GMT

I'm in a different practice now, but thats a good idea about the consent forms Kimbo. Normally, emphasis is more on the anaesthesia risks, we dont often discuss post-operative complications, maybe we should all start doing such things!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Kim Buckley — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:17:57 GMT

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]

[quote user="Kimbo1985"]

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]

a few years ago now, a Kerry Blue post caesarian (dont think had buster collar) came in to the practice and the whole intestines were out through the wound so bad that the dog was actually sitting on them in the back of the car.

End to end anastamosis, lots of flushing and cleaning out along with gallons of metronidazole and a very heavy dose of post operative antibiotics and nsaid's and surprisingly the dog made a full recovery!

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I very much doubt you could put a buster collar on a bitch with puppies anyway. Never really thought about that situation before.

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Yeah, difficult to know what could have been done in hindsight? Possibly adequate pain relief as I'm not sure if she went home with any. The owners were fairly well clued in and lovely people who absolutely adored the dog and she adored them.

The whole time the dog was in theatre, they were sobbing their hearts out in our kitchen!

[/quote]

I suppose these are all risks you have to take in to account when your animal has surgery. Maybe it should be included in consent forms.

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:14:10 GMT

[quote user="Kimbo1985"]

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]

[/quote]

I very much doubt you could put a buster collar on a bitch with puppies anyway. Never really thought about that situation before.

[/quote]

The whole time the dog was in theatre, they were sobbing their hearts out in our kitchen!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Kim Buckley — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:11:53 GMT

[quote user="SaskiaVN"]

[/quote]

I very much doubt you could put a buster collar on a bitch with puppies anyway. Never really thought about that situation before.

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:02:57 GMT

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Kim Buckley — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:18:33 GMT

I suppose I've just never really thought of it as a major problem with routines because we very rarely see problems with them. We keep all our bitch spays in overnight anyway so by the time they've gone home we have normally noticed whether or not they are lickers. The only routine that I can think of that we've had to restitch is a cat spay who had a massive vicryl reaction. Oh hang on and the dog castrate who's owner let it go swimming in a mucky pond the day after his op so his wound got massively infected and broke down.

All animals go home with a discharge card stating that if any wound interference is seen then to come pick up a buster collar ASAP.

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Steph Phillips — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:04:09 GMT

[quote user="Stella Skelton"]

[/quote]

...YES I DO!! omg she was a mess wasn't she!!! your right.. some people are just plain stupid Lol!!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Stella Skelton RVN — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:55:26 GMT

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Steph Phillips — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:12:13 GMT

[quote user="Kimbo1985"]

We very rarely give out buster collars for routines and never had an animal come in to have it resutured except for where the would has broken down. All our routines are stiched up using intradermal sutures so chewing out sutures isn't really a big issue. All patients are watched on recovery to see if they interfere with their wounds and if they do then they are given a buster collar and we do stress on discharge that if the animal is seen to be interfering with it's wound then they need to come and get one but it's really not seen that often. I don't think they would have a leg to stand on legally. They should have stopped the cat from chewing it's sutures and should have the money/insurance to pay for it.

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Alot of the times, cats/dogs will chew at their wound in the night time when it's quiter, maybe through boardom(?) - or they will attempt to clean it & do more harm than good.. Cliens can sue if they think they have been given wrong advice or not enough info on aftercare - not saying your practice is lacking it - no way, Just that it can happen.. we once (aaggess ago) hada client go mental when her dog chewed its wound - got the collar off - her point was that it should be made so they cant get it off! - told her it was down to the manufacture, not us, we did our part in supplying it and going through aftercare.. imagine what she would have done if her dog didnt have a collar on!! I think it'd always better to cover your ***, then its down to the client..

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Kim Buckley — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:29:28 GMT

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Steph Phillips — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:50:15 GMT

We just put them on EVERY patient that has an op which requires stitches.. if the client dont want them, or makes an excuse "oohh we got one at home" - I stress the importance of them, and should they nibble at themselfs - the cost is to them. . when we give them a rough estimate (£££) on a re stitch etc.. they soon change their mind and pay the £3 odd for a collar

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:45:03 GMT

I always recommend buster collars (even though they can be a pain but I've never worked in a practice where anything else was used) to owners and give them a list of complications that can arise if they remove them. If they still decline, I note this on the consent form and I sign it and ask them to sign it and date it. (You can add a box onto the consent form for this). I have been asked why they need to sign, once you tell them it is for legal reasons if the animal chewed stitches etc they will often comply. A lot of it is explaining it to them, which can be difficult when the owner just wants to take the animal home.

Was involved with a lumpectomy on a g.pig a year or so ago. Both myself and vet explained the buster collar situation. Op on Friday, sent home with buster collar, and thorough discharge (as normal!!) Back in on Saturday night for a stitch up - O removed buster collar because thought guinea pig looked sad (although she said was eating, drinking, active etc and looked comfortable in itself)...sent home again with buster collar and with an explanation of why it was important...back in on Sunday for a PTS - collar removed again and g.pig had basically mutilated itself.

Very sad and could have been so easily prevented as the pig seemed happy enough wearing the collar.

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

loopylou711 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:40:56 GMT

[quote user="Freckle"]we don't offer buster collars after every op ( i do, but it isn't practice policy!!?) I am thinking of showing this thread to my boss, and getting him to stick an extra couple of quid on the cost of neuters so that they all go home with one regardless[/quote]

What my vets do is give you the buster collar for a £5 and then u take it bk when youare done with it. Bit of an incentive there as you get the £5 back!

I did read the thread and can't help but think what a numpty that woman is! Is she can't afford a kittens vets bill who are somewht more sensible than puppies how can she possibly afford to have a dog who will eat everything and anything? I agree why didn't she stop the kitten doing it! I hate stories like this. The kitten suffers due to a stupid owner who can't afford the pet or the bills!

How can she afford a dog is my question? like this thread as it sticks up for the vets and calls her stupid as thats clearly what she is and she shouldn't be allowed another pet!

rant over!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Sally Howe — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:26:42 GMT

I send everything home with a collar be it a buster or homemade bite not for the small furries.

If the client refuses I do tell them what would happen and that it will cost them more money if the animal was not wearing it and got to the stitches. If they still refuse it's put on their file that they declined

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

loobylou — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:02:43 GMT

We've just had a ferret hospitalised from a local practice we cover out of hours for. Was spayed, went home and owners woke up to stitches ripped out and she was chewing her own intestines. Had an emergency enterectomy and had a LARGE section of guts removed. She wasnt expected to survive but we sent her back to the local practice yesterday and was doing ok.
I do wonder what must be going through their heads when they are doing that to themselves

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

A Little TLC — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:53:29 GMT

I feel a bit sick after reading that..........

i know they can be quick chewers somethimes, but to get to the point of tugging its own insides out, why was it just being watched?? Why not stopped? Shes obviouslt a t*at and shouldn't have animals in th first place.........

i still feel sick, poor cat....

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Kathryn Welsh — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:24:13 GMT

Quick note on it - she said the daugther was there as the cat was pulling stitches out - ever think to stop it!!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Kay Eminson — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:34:55 GMT

I think this post is funny really, every one getting all their hackles up. The owner of the unfortunate cat is wanting compensation for a cat she didn’t even buy, plus didn’t get it vacced till it was neutered. She claimed the cat was eating away within 10 minutes but they weren’t at the vets until 11pm?

I think here it was negligence on the owner’s behalf but outlines the importance of us giving collars out, we don’t routinely give them out but do mention them to owners and is outlined on the post op sheet, and her vets are pretty nice to offer compensation like that!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Bethany Leonard - Williams RVN — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:52:24 GMT

have read a lot fo the post on this one and what seems a little odd is that fact that according to the original poster says that - 'It is normal for local vets to take on all aftercare costs (emergency or otherwise)'

i know that her local vets has admitted some form of responsibility re payment of tx ooh but how odd is that - does anyone elses practice take on the costs of ooh emergencies on behalf of the client - or am i just mis-interpreting her comments!!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Lolita — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:32:37 GMT

I couldnt actually sleep at night if we didnt give out buster collars! We give them out for mostly everything, better to be safe than sorry, I have seen what happens when owners take collars off....both animals have had to be pts. Very sad, I am a bit of a drill sargeant, in that I am nearly holding them down telling them not to take the buster collar off!!

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Nicola Jamieson — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:27:52 GMT

I sat and read most of the post aswell and agree fi that most of the people were actually sticking up for the vets, it is a very rare situation but just goes to show how important comunication between out of hours and member practices are and also the huge importance of buster collars! Poor kitten :(

Re: why buster collars should ALWAYS be given out post op!

Fiona Leathers — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:20:28 GMT

I've sat and read most of the posts and quit a lot of them are sticking up for the vets!!! They are calling the owner stupid and asking why she's got a pet when she's got no money!! Its actually quite a nice read for a change nothing negative about vets so far!

As for b/c, we send them home with all ops for this very reason. That way if the animal rips out his/her sutures, we know we did everything possible to prevent it.