How to Prevent Scratching

Cats normally do not scratch the collar. If they are scratching, it is usually due to some degree of irritation to the stoma. The key to stopping the behavior is to stop the irritation at the source.

Anything that tugs or pulls on the stoma can cause irritation and thus scratching, A common culprit is dried secretions adhering to the fur, the tube, or the sutures. This will appear like a dried mucus that “welds” the skin tissue to the tube or sutures. Thus, each time the tube moves slightly it tugs on the sensitive skin. This could be compared to waking up with crusty eyes and having an eyelash that “stabs” you every time you blink. This in turn creates more inflammation and itching.

The approach is three-pronged.

1-Stop the tube from pulling. Make sure that you have the right size collar. When fastened, it should hold the tube securely with no slipping or spinning of the collar on the neck. If the collar spins, you need a smaller size.

You may need to shorten the tube. Do not attempt to make the tube shorter by placing it under the collar or looping It around, as this can be dangerous and will cause even more pulling at the neck as well as pressure areas. If part of the tube is dangling it will tug on the neck as it moves about. You can shorten any tube using our tube adapter to eliminate this problem or ask your vet to do it.

2-Make sure the tube is not adhered to anything. The dried mucous must be removed every day until it stops being produced. An effective way to remove it is to soak a cotton pad with warm water and apply to the secretions until they loosen, and the tube or fur can be “unstuck”.

To help prevent infection, you can use chlorhexidrine (brand Hibiclens®) or povidone iodine (brand Betadine®) which you can get in any pharmacy. Prior to use, dilute it to 10% solution and 90% warm water. Using a cotton pad or clean towel, gently daub and wipe around the skin, tube and sutures before applying a new Protector Pad and clean Kitty Kollar. Never use alcohol or peroxide on broken skin!

Fur around the stoma should be trimmed periodically as besides getting in the way it can also promote bacterial growth.

3. Ensure that the pet’s nails are kept very short. You may also apply temporary plastic nail tip covers if the problem is severe.

Of course, if there is a discharge that is discolored (green, yellow) or smells bad, there may be an infection at the stoma site. This is a common reason for a cat suddenly starting to scratch that has not done so before. In this case, do not try to treat yourself, let your vet know immediately.

A clean and healthy stoma. Note the trimmed fur around the tube.