Pet Owners....PLEASE READ! (Sorry...Long)

I just got back from the Animal ER. My FI and I were getting ready to go out to meet with a DJ and I went to go see where one of our cats had gone as I was going to feed them before we left. I found Jack (a 5 month old gret and white tiger stripe) sitting on the floor in our bedroom and he looked like he was chewing on something. When I looked down I saw that his paws were covered in blood! He had gotten his bottom jaw/mouth caught on this collar and blood was pouring from his mouth. My FI and I managed to cut the collor off, scoup him up, and rush over to the Animal ER closest to our home. Thank goodness it was just a small cut where his new teeth were coming in on his upper jaw. I thought the tongue had split down the middle.
Anyway...The vet told us that this is fairly common and we were lucky because if were hadn't seen him and caught it in time he might have broken his jaw in his attempts to free himself. He then told us to get rid of the collars that came with the cats from North Shore and buy something called a breakaway collar. It pops off if the animal gets caught on something and is a lot safer. Collars can get caught on many things and he has had patients that have died because they got their collars caught and have choked to death.
Please becareful if you have a regular collar on your pet. I'm so grateful that Jack's injury wasn't serious but it scares me to think what if I hadn't gone to check on him before we left.

I have a breakaway collar for my dog, and I always thought it was such a pain, since it popped open from time to time. THANK YOU for pointing out how this is actually a good thing. I am so grateful that you posted your story. Now I won't be getting Arnold a new collar, nor will I curse the one he has. I hope Jack is feeling better.

I heard of them, but my cat will NOT tolerate a collar. I know the thought of him outside with a collar on makes me so nervous. My vet told me about these breakaway ones, and highly recommend them.
How is your kitty???

Update on Jack....
Aside from having a bit of a sore mouth, Jack is doing much better. The vet put him on antibiotics and Jack is a little off his food (he liks the dry stuff better than the wet and I guess the dry to just to hard for him right now) but he's back to running around like the crazy kitten that he is. They have both adjusted to their new collars just fine.
Thanks for the good wishes,
M