Cat spay incision?

elliot

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I know there are a bunch of threads out there about cat spay incisions but I'm still worried. I got her spayed on Monday, it is now Thursday the same week. Is the incision healing normally?
She isnt actively bleeding and seems to be moving about fine. She's currently confined to my room as our house is a two story house with lots of shelves.
Sorry, I cant really get a better picture.
 
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fyllis

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The incision looks pretty good to me. It's only been 3 days and it typically takes 10 to 14 days to completely heal. There will be some redness, swelling around the incision and, possibly, even some bruising. There might even be some seepage (a scant amount of reddish/yellow fluid) which is normal. 

You want to watch for excessive drainage (dripping from the incision when she is standing), missing sutures, and a gap in the incision (there could be a slight gap, but over 1/4 inch is a problem). If there is any tissue protruding through the incision site, call the vet right away - but it looks as if it is healing enough at this point that that shouldn't be a problem; however, if she jumps from a high pace and lands hard, she could put enough pressure on it to cause the wound to open.

Did your vet give you (or recommend you purchase) an abdominal binder or sleeve to keep it covered? She should NOT be licking or chewing at the site! Bacteria from her saliva can be dangerous and can slow the healing and cause a severe infection! 

Also, did he prescribe a prophylactic antibiotic and pain meds?

If there is some dried blood at the site, you can (Veryyy carefully and gently) wipe it off with a cottonball moistened with saline - you can purchase saline or you can just boil a small amount of plain water and let it cool and use that. Do not put any ointments or anything on the incision, unless specifically prescribed by your vet.

She is going to be sore for a few more days. But overall, it looks like it is healing well.

If your vet has a website, email him/her a pic and ask their opinion. Call them and let them know you are sending it so they can watch for it.
 
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elliot

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The incision looks pretty good to me. It's only been 3 days and it typically takes 10 to 14 days to completely heal. There will be some redness, swelling around the incision and, possibly, even some bruising. There might even be some seepage (a scant amount of reddish/yellow fluid) which is normal. 

You want to watch for excessive drainage (dripping from the incision when she is standing), missing sutures, and a gap in the incision (there could be a slight gap, but over 1/4 inch is a problem). If there is any tissue protruding through the incision site, call the vet right away - but it looks as if it is healing enough at this point that that shouldn't be a problem; however, if she jumps from a high pace and lands hard, she could put enough pressure on it to cause the wound to open.

Did your vet give you (or recommend you purchase) an abdominal binder or sleeve to keep it covered? She should NOT be licking or chewing at the site! Bacteria from her saliva can be dangerous and can slow the healing and cause a severe infection! 

Also, did he prescribe a prophylactic antibiotic and pain meds?

If there is some dried blood at the site, you can (Veryyy carefully and gently) wipe it off with a cottonball moistened with saline - you can purchase saline or you can just boil a small amount of plain water and let it cool and use that. Do not put any ointments or anything on the incision, unless specifically prescribed by your vet.

She is going to be sore for a few more days. But overall, it looks like it is healing well.

If your vet has a website, email him/her a pic and ask their opinion. Call them and let them know you are sending it so they can watch for it.
The vet gave her a cone but Arya was getting really frustrated with it so I took it off. She does not lick at it other than normal grooming, is that okay? The vet did not send us home with any meds. 

How much longer should I keep her confined? She's acting like a normal kitten and races for the door whenever someone closes or opens it, but I don't want her getting too excited and hurting herself.
 
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stephanietx

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I think the incision looks great for just being 3 days out.  I would go ahead and leave the cone off and let her out of solitary confinement.  You'll both be happier.
 

fyllis

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You said she is licking while doing 'normal grooming'. Is she licking the incision site at all?  At this point, I would think she isn't because he's probably 'forgotten' she has a boo-boo. If she is, I would distract her from doing so for another few days, at least. Bacteria can wick into the wound.

If she is running around and acting normal (LOL, what is 'normal' for a cat, right?) then I would let her out and about and see how she does under supervision. In reality, ferals that are TNR (both ale and female) are usually released back to their location within 24 to 48 hours. If she isn't showing signs of pain and is eating and drinking per usual, then she should be fine. 

Is she peeing and pooping OK? She should have had a normal bowel movement by now. If not, talk with your vet. 

From what you are saying, it seems she is doing very well. Keep her indoors for another week and a half if she is an outdoor cat. She needs to be completely healed before she goes out.

Realistically, she knows what her limits are - what she can and can't do at this time. Keeping her confined and away from you could be more stressful for her than being out in the house.

Give her a gentle hug from me and my boys! 
 
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elliot

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What I meant is that when she licks it, she's not really paying attention to it, she's just grooming herself normally and she happens to lick that area.

She's peeing and pooping normally (:

And she's not actually confined away from me. I do online school so I'm usually on my laptop in my room anyway. But I'll start lettting her roam the house under supervision!

Thank you!
 
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fyllis

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What I meant is that when she licks it, she's not really paying attention to it, she's just grooming herself normally and she happens to lick that area.

She's peeing and pooping normally (:

And she's not actually confined away from me. I do online school so I'm usually on my laptop in my room anyway. But I'll start lettting her roam the house under supervision!

Thank you!
The reason she shouldn't be licking the incision is because the sutures are porous and act like a wick. When they get wet (from water or saliva or whatever) bacteria can travel (leech and soak through) to the interior of the wound and potentially create an infection. Even at this point, when the incision looks to be dried and scabbed, by her licking it, her saliva will moisten the incision and dissolve the scab - allowing bacteria in. It takes 10 to 14 days to completely close and heal. Be careful with that and keep an eye on the incision for signs of infection.
 
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elliot

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The reason she shouldn't be licking the incision is because the sutures are porous and act like a wick. When they get wet (from water or saliva or whatever) bacteria can travel (leech and soak through) to the interior of the wound and potentially create an infection. Even at this point, when the incision looks to be dried and scabbed, by her licking it, her saliva will moisten the incision and dissolve the scab - allowing bacteria in. It takes 10 to 14 days to completely close and heal. Be careful with that and keep an eye on the incision for signs of infection.
Alright, the cone went back on. She's not too happy about it but she's not hurting herself over it. I'd rather her be grumpy now than have an infection later.

Thank you so much :D
 
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elliot

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day 5?


It doesn't look this bad in person but is this normal for 5 days?
 

stephanietx

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I would get her to the vet on Monday.  I don't think it should look that red.  Is it hot or oozing any liquid?
 

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Looking at the two side by side, it looks like the surrounding skin has got redder. Not a great sign :( Definitely get her checked out on Monday. :vibes:
 
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elliot

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It's not hot and theres no oozing liquid. I'll see if I can get her in tomorrow, thanks!
 
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