http://www.catster.com/answers/question/what_should_i_do_for_a_skin_irritation_problems_with_kitty_cones_too-32229 I recently spayed my sister's 3 1/2 month old kitten because we live in different towns and my vet is both higher quality and cheaper. I've spayed her other cat too, but my oldest kitten came spayed and I haven't had money quite yet to spay and neuter the little ones (they aren't sexually mature yet, I'm saving up, don't judge me). When I spayed her other cat, she wanted to lie on her back for a few days, and her stitches didn't seem to bother her. The new kitten seems to sit up, which makes her stitches rub against her belly, causing a red irritation. I'd run her to the vet, but we're at my sister's house and I quite frankly don't trust the vet here (bad history with him). There are no signs of actual infection, just a skin irritation that makes my heart ache. Any ideas? She also seems to have trouble eating and drinking with her cone on. I've been pulling it off for manual feeds every few hours, but she's used to free feeding and I worry. How often should she get her feedings? Asked by Binx en-us Copyright Catster 2009 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:05:10 GMT Wed, Nov 25th 2009, 15:05 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Catster.com catsters@catster.com catsters@catster.com http://www.catster.com/answers/question/what_should_i_do_for_a_skin_irritation_problems_with_kitty_cones_too-32229#answer-93642 Your cats are all very young to be spayed or neutered already so nobody is going to judge you because some are not done yet. My vet recommends 5 months old or 5 pounds so none of mine were done earlier than that although it is safe and shelters often do it early. Unless she is actually picking at the stitches, I would leave the cone off for longer periods as long as you can watch her. If she seems to be going at them, then pop it back on. I never had to use a cone and I have had 5 spayed in the last 2 years. None of mine ever bothered their stitches at all. When Kira had more serious surgery with a neck incision and a cone was required, I just took it off to let her eat or drink every time I saw her trying to do that. Mine are also free fed but she got used to having to eat her fill when the opportunity came up. Kitty will not starve since she should not need to wear the cone for more than a few days anyway..

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