Thanks everyone. Debbie, yes Pearl was already spayed before I adopted her. Starr's doing very well and he managed to get one of paws through the front of his e-collar. I put it back through and then a few minutes later he had taken it off and was trying to lick his stitches. I put it back on and tried to tie it much tighter and I looped the shoestring around his neck and knotted it so hopefully it'll now stay in place. Starr has a very good appetite and is also much more active today. I don't know how much longer he'll let me keep in confined in the cage so I'll just play it by ear.