Wordless Wednesday
C’mon, sock it to us… what’s this for?
P.S. Don’t get cold feet—leave your response in the comment box! For the answer to last week’s Wordless Wednesday, click here.
UPDATE, February 21: Socks—not just for catnip toys anymore! Check the comment box, where the ASPCA’s Kathleen V. Makolinski, DVM, Senior Director, Grants and Spay/Neuter Programs, explains how to make and properly use this supplemental heat source for animals recovering from spay/neuter surgery.
The rice sock has been placed in the pink pillowcase between these two recovering kitties. “Also note, the pillow case can be laundered, and the rice sock is never in direct contact with animal, as it could spread disease and have potential to burn an animal,” says Dr. Makolinski.
For more tips like this, check out Dr. Makolinski’s free webinar, “What is High Quality-High Volume Spay/Neuter?,” this Thursday, February 23, from 3-4pm ET.
Related links:
“Tip of the Week: You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby Bootie”
Spay/Neuter Resources on ASPCApro
Webinar: What Is High Quality-High Volume Spay/Neuter?
Tags: HQHVSN, post-op care, recovery, spay/neuter, webinars, Wordless Wednesday
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Beverly Says:
It’s a catnip filled sock toy — great for solo play and stimulation, or for interactive play and a game of fetch!
Pat Says:
The sock is probably filled with white rice (uncooked). When warmed up in a microwave, it makes for a nice warm comfort sock for kitties just out of surgery (s/n).
Emily Says:
I agree with the above but also will add that perhaps it’s used to block drafts from doors/windows to keep the critters warm.
Pune Dracker, Shelters' Edge blog Says:
Rice, rice, baby! Pat and Emily, you are correct. This sock is indeed filled with uncooked rice and has been tied closed. When warmed up in a microwave and placed into a pillow case, the rice sock is a great supplemental heat source for an animal who is wrapped in a blanket and recovering from spay/neuter surgery.
“Making these socks is a great task for volunteers,” adds the ASPCA’s Kathleen V. Makolinski, DVM, Senior Director, Grants and Spay/Neuter Programs. “Also note, with the use of a pillowcase, which can be laundered, the rice sock is never in direct contact with animal, as it could spread disease and have potential to burn an animal.”
For more tips like this, come to Dr. Makolinski’s free webinar, “What is High Quality-High Volume Spay/Neuter?,” this Thursday, February 23, from 3-4pm ET, where you’ll learn about recommendations and implementation tips related to preoperative care, anesthesia, surgery and postoperative care. You can register for this program here: https://aspcanet.webex.com/mw0306ld/mywebex/default.do?service=7&nomenu=true&main_url=%2Ftc0505ld%2Ftrainingcenter%2FLoading.do%3Fsiteurl%3Daspcanet%26rnd%3D2498830932%26servicename%3DTC%26RT%3DMiMxMQ%3D%3D%26FM%3D1%26HMAC%3D4e86a0fcec65d5ca7edb95a85a39c90ef640a3fe%26ED%3D160939177%26UID%3D1177612357%26needFilter%3Dfalse&siteurl=aspcanet Hope to see you there!
Julie T. Says:
This is a wonderful idea for post-surgery care!
I’ve been making rice-filled socks for years to sooth my own and my families sore, stiff shoulders and necks; the moist heat is incredibly comforting and therapeutic. (For my human friends, I add a small quantity of dried lavender flowers to the rice and sew soft flannel covers to give as “get well” gifts).
One Caveat: When microwaving, the rice can get extremely hot–enough to cause injury to skin and tissue–so it is essential to test the temperature on your own skin for several seconds before placing it against an animal. I lay the heated rice-sock directly on the back of my neck before giving it to one of my daughters.
While the socks can be used dozens of times for several months, they’ll eventually lose their ability to retain sufficient heat and moisture. At this point, I untie the sock are pour the old rice into our compost bin : )