Sounds like it would look funny but maybe feel better than the hard collar.

For what it worth, the collar is still on this morning.

Now I'm tearing my hair out trying to figure out how this happened.

We thought going in that a foxtail had worked its way through the skin.  And
I was feeling terrible about that because I'm usually very careful to go
over all the animals for stickers and foxtails every day.  Partly for their
safety and comfort.  Partly because the vet bill for a foxtail up the nose
or in the eye can be brutal.  And partly because if I don't get them first
the cats like to groom them out on my bed.

But is wasn't.  It was a laceration on the aft part of his belly.  And
sideways, not lengthwise like you would think if he was climbing or got
stuck somewhere.  And I know from past adventures that cats really do have
very tough skin.  And usually will heal up quickly.  That's why they tend to
get abscesses.

Now for the vet.  We waited till yesterday morning and called out regular
vet.  The office is closed for vacation.  !!

So back to call the "emergency" vet.  As in the only one in the area that
has someone on call that will come in at night.  They are booked for the day
but if we come in at 11:30 they will fit us in for an additional $35.00 fee.
Huh?

But it isn't like we have a choice right? A little latter they called back
and said to come in at 10.  We were lucky I think.  We got the older vet
that owns the place.  So he can do what he wants and charge what he wants.
And he remembers us and likes us well enough.

He tells us what he needs to do, gets a medical history on Jake.  (injured
mouth, heart murmur, etc) and gives him a once over.  Two teeth look pretty
bad so we agreed that they should come out now rather than have to knock him
out again in a month or so.  But only if he is doing OK under the
anesthetic.  And blood work first to make sure kidneys and liver are working
OK

Total bill for exam, repair laceration, remove two teeth, clean and polish
the rest of the teeth, extra time under anesthetic and medications was $580.

I'd bet it would have been higher if one of his young associates has been
doing the billing.  Thought it was pretty reasonable under the
circumstances.

Please keep the calming and healing purrs coming.  I think Jake and Charlie
and I are going to need them.

Jake has already demonstrated that he can jump from the floor up on the
kitchen counter.  Damn cat.  That means he has to stay in the "infirmary"
bedroom even more to keep him out of trouble.  He gets on one side of the
door and complains.  Molly and Kayla get on the other side and worry and
commiserate.

Jo