Sorry for the cross-post...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.

Re: Sorry for the cross-post...pet owners...PLEASE READ...(Sorry...Long)

Awww, I am sorryt hat you had to go through that. I am so glad it was not worse though! Give Jack a pet for me and I hope he feels better!

Re: Sorry for the cross-post...pet owners...PLEASE READ...(Sorry...Long)

Oh how sad.
I am so glad your kitty is ok and thank you for posting such useful info.

Re: Sorry for the cross-post...pet owners...PLEASE READ...(Sorry...Long)

Oh my goodness, what a night you must have had. I am so glad to hear your kitty will be OK.

Thanks for the advice.

Re: Sorry for the cross-post...pet owners...PLEASE READ...(Sorry...Long)

We have a dog. When he was a puppy, we took him to obedience classes. The 'teacher' told us NEVER to keep a collar on our pets because they can get stuck and choke on something. So, we only put his collar on to walk him, and the rest of the time it is off.

I know that this is difficult to do with cats that are indoor/outdoor, or cats that have a tendency to sneak out, but I highly recommend it for the safety of your pets.

I'm glad your kitten is OK.

Re: Sorry for the cross-post...pet owners...PLEASE READ...(Sorry...Long)

The breakaway collars are sold at Petco and not expensive at all. I have one of each. Beemer was always losing her breakaway collar and never fusses with the one we have on her now. But it is true what the vet said. Thanks for posting.

Re: Sorry for the cross-post...pet owners...PLEASE READ...(Sorry...Long)

Glad to hear all is well. You're a good mommy!!

Re: Sorry for the cross-post...pet owners...PLEASE READ...(Sorry...Long)

sorry to hear about your kitty!!
Thank goodness it wasn't worse than it was.

Thanks so much for the tip. Our dogs are collared all the time and one of them actually got caught under my sisters bed (she hangs out there sometimes) you thought we would learn!

All the best for your kitty's recovery

Re: Sorry for the cross-post...pet owners...PLEASE READ...(Sorry...Long)

Update on Jack....

Thanks ladies for all you kind words.

Jack is doing better. A bit off his food but running around like his crazy, frisky self. My FI went out and bought the breakaway collars today and we'll be putting them on tonight. My mom said this little 'pet crisis' is good training for us when we have kids...LOL (God, I hope none of my kids ever cut their mouths on their collars...oops...you don't put collars on kids do you??? LOL)

Thanks again,
M

Re: Sorry for the cross-post...pet owners...PLEASE READ...(Sorry...Long)

I am so glad Jack is okay! You may remeber that a while back I had a scare with my cat Sammy who had swallowed a dime. I know how scary it can be to see your baby hurt or in pain. I have breakaway collars on 2 of my cats and a stretchy one on the other. I check all of my cats' collars just about every day to make sure that they are not too loose or too tight (but that is because I am neurotic). Thanks for posting your story. You never know- you may have just saved a pets life!