Hi Lana has been spayed today, she had a midline incision. she has the stupid lampshade thing on but has managed to get at her stitches WITH IT ON There is a little blood loss from the incision-does she need the vet please?

My very gut feeling says yes, but that would be what I would do because if she can get to the stitches then how are you meant to watch her all day and night? I'm not sure if it's possible for her to pull them out completely. The idea of the lampshade (As I'm sure you know) is she can't do this because the first thing they're going to do is this!

I'm not sure how your emergency vets work but our one is a 24 hour one located in a different surgery. We can actually ring them up and ask for advice without getting charged. Can you do this if you are worried?

OH dear I am sorry i cannot give any advice. Just hope some one will come up with some ideas.
Can you take a photo of the stitches and then perhaps we can all have a look and see if it's vets tomorrow.
Maybe if you give her some super she will then eat it and settle down to sleep.

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Eek. I would ring the vet as suggested above.

My kit was spayed on Tuesday and has experienced a bit of oozing from the incision (also midline) so I know that it's a bit of a worrying period.

Why do these things always happen when the vets are shut?!

This site has loads of good info:

Spaying Cats - a complete veterinary guide to feline spay surgery.

Could you try to make a 'body stocking' to cover the wound site? I am sure I saw a post once where someone did something clever with an old pair of tights.....

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

I spoke to the emergency vets who just said that if i put a collar on her it will stop her doing this it wont as the lamp shade thing is too small

There doesnt seem to be anymore loss and she seems OK, a bit wobbly on her feet, but she was like that when I collected her. She has eaten a little(she would eat more but the vets told me to only give a little until tomorrow) and has drank. She seems to have used the litter tray for wee but not poo.

Pics of wound, opinions welcomed







Amd I couldnt resist this one

I've done this before and it works really well! Or you know when you sprain your wrist or ankle and you get one of those thick bandages that just slips over, they work really well too with even the most determined cats!

It doens't look too bad but i'd ring the vets to be on the safe side, it'll only cost you the phone call unless they recommend you take her in.

Otherwise at least for tonight, keep the collar on and then limit her mobility, she wont like it as you wouldn't have room to put a litter tray so expect accidents and put newspaper underneath but an upside down washing basket or similar would stop her being able to get to it at least til a visit in the morning, they should give you a larger collar then too x

Keep an eye on her.

Paddypaws has a good suggestion, though your cat may not like it.

Emergency vet didn't seem to want to know (doh - perhaps being a Friday they are enjoying a red wine ) the problem being if she is scratching and licking her wound this can cause complications because of the bacteria that are in her mouth. It can infect the wound site.

I would speak to your own vet tomorrow who did the op and explain the situation. They may be able to give you a larger collar or offer better advice.

By the by I always thought cats were spey on the left side not in the midriff unless there were some problems (pregnancy)?

Thanks for the replies, will try a bandage on her...that WILL be fun!!!

They did a midline as she is a pedigree bengal who I hope to show, so they didnt want to do a side incision in case it damaged her markings? I didnt ask for it to be done there, the vets just did it.

Looking at the pictures it doesn't look to bad. Hopefully she has just had a lick at it and decided now to leave it alone.
The body stocking sounds a good idea if she starts having another go this evening.
Hopefully she will sleep well tonight and forget about it.
I must say she doesn't look very happy in the photo, Bless her! Hope you have got some treats for her
Tomorrow if things haven't improved maybe get a bigger collar. I think pets at homes sell them if the vets are closed. Hopefully you wont need to.

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