thanks for all the advice, well she has already managed to get it off and she put up a big fight when i put it back on, so i wont be able to take it on and off when she is eating, i have raised her bowl and she is reaching it better now, as for vet bills thats not an issue as i go to a charity vet, PDSA, and they provide free treatment and meds as i am on a low income, and they have put in dissolving stitches as shes not a very good patient and the vet didnt fancy having to remove her stitches! (they had to put her in a crush cage today to get the needle in her arm) i think i will remove it after seven days and see how it goes..