Need advice - Incision not healing fast enough????

Hi everyone,
My Maine Coon had hip surgery (broken hip) two weeks ago yesterday. I took him back to the vet last night for suture removal, and he looked at the incision and said "He's not ready yet." And he seemed to imply he's not healing as fast as expected. I've been doing my absolute best to keep him subdued, and keep that awful E-collar on him so he can't pick his stitches, but short of actually keeping him in a small cage, there's just so much I can do. My vet did say there does not appear to be any infection and I don't need to do anything but what I've been doing. However, I'm becoming a bit concerned. I've not ever had to have major surgery on a kitty before, so I have no experience with the situation. Should I be worried? Is it that this is just a really deep, deep incision? My one thought is that he's not getting enough protein because his appetite isn't great. He's eating, but not a lot. This is probably not the time to try to switch food on him, but I was thinking I might be able to get a high protein treat/supplement somewhere. Advice appreciated! Thanks!
Karen

Has she had a blood test? Does she have diabeties? Diabeties can make wounds heal alot slower.... Other than that, if there were a reason to worry, I am sure your vet would surely point it out. If he is a vet that you like and trust, just listen to his instruction. If not, get a second opinon. I hope your baby heal fast-er!

Hi,

I wouldn't worry about it, since your vet didn't take alarm. Lesser surgeries for my cats have taken quite a while to heal.

Maybe you could ask the vet for an estimated time for removal.

It sounds like major surgery, so give it some time. I hope your furry one is okay.

Hi, thanks for the replies. No, I'm quite sure he's not diabetic -- he only just turned two. I am probably needlessly worrying -- I am a champion at it after all, lol. And yes, it was MAJOR surgery.

You could ask the vet about putting an antibiotic ointment on the sutures to aid healing. When Stimpy had a mole removal a few years ago, he pulled his initial stitches out (gaping hole). When we went in to the emergency vet (same clinic, diff vet) he put in staples and said to put antibiotic ointment on it. The sutures healed up faster after that.

Make sure to ask the vet. I wouldn't have done anything had the vet not said that.

Originally Posted by littleraven7726

You could ask the vet about putting an antibiotic ointment on the sutures to aid healing.
Make sure to ask the vet. I wouldn't have done anything had the vet not said that.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I did ask about that and he told me not to put anything on it, so I'm not.

Just a quick update -- the incision is FINALLY starting to look totally closed up. Whew. Hoping and praying nothing goes wrong between now and Wed evening to get these staples out. Poor boy, he's starting to go completely insane from that e-collar.

We had a cat at the shelter that wasn't ready on time, like people, some cats just heal more slowly - I am sure your vet would have been very stern in telling you what to do if it was something that could be helped on your end