What is normal after spay surgery?

sivyaleah

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Hi again. Kitty is doing better, this morning she followed me to the kitchen and chilled with me for a bit. She even started yapping at a fly :) She's had the tiniest bit of food and water, I guess it's a start. She's walking a lot better and seems to be in a lot less pain.

I think the blue stuff is methylene blue. The vet said that once that wears off I should dab some betadine on the incision. Also no cone but the vet said I should go back to them asap if she starts pulling at her stitches. So far she hasn't.

Now it's pill time and I can't seem to get her to take it. She spit it out a few times and ended up running (or rather walking) away from me. If she were eating I would crush the pill and sprinkle it on her food but she isn't. Any tips on that?
Glad to hear she's doing better.

If she's eating now - you can try wrapping the pill into a piece of deli meat too, such as ham, turkey, chicken or even some cheese if she enjoys that. One of our cats was very hard to pill but never turned down human treats so we learned to pill him that way if the pill was small enough or, if it could be cut into smaller pieces (get a pill splitter at a drug store, worth having anyway). You can also see if she will eat a Pill Pocket treat and push it into one of those. Some cats really like them.
 
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charbasaur

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She had some more chicken to eat and I managed to crush the pill and sprinkle it on top. Apparently the pill is flavored so it shouldn't taste too bad. She didn't quite eat all of it but at least most of it is in her system. She also drank a lot of water afterwards. I'm so proud of her :D
 
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charbasaur

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Another update: I ended up taking kitty back to the vet since she wasn't eating again. She has a mild fever but otherwise she's fine. They gave her 3 shots (one for the fever, an antibiotic and an "energizer"). She was (hyper)active for a bit and now she's back to sleeping. I'm supposed to take her back tomorrow morning for a check-up. Here's hoping she'll finally feel better 🤞
 

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Another update: I ended up taking kitty back to the vet since she wasn't eating again. She has a mild fever but otherwise she's fine. They gave her 3 shots (one for the fever, an antibiotic and an "energizer"). She was (hyper)active for a bit and now she's back to sleeping. I'm supposed to take her back tomorrow morning for a check-up. Here's hoping she'll finally feel better 🤞
Sending you mega vibes for a speedy recovery.:vibes::vibes::caticon:
Like rubysmama rubysmama mentioned...I am also glad you took her back in.
Plus, the bonus is, that the Vet can also see the incision, and how it is progressing.

(Wondering what the "energizer" shot was? Maybe that is why she was hyperactive. Perhaps it was some sort of vitamin shot?)

**Note: if you ever do give your kitten any people food....make sure it has NO onions or garlic.
(you probably already knew that...but I just figured...I'd mention it again.)

Hoping she feels better, quickly, too.:catrub:
 
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charbasaur

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Sending you mega vibes for a speedy recovery.:vibes::vibes::caticon:
Like rubysmama rubysmama mentioned...I am also glad you took her back in.
Plus, the bonus is, that the Vet can also see the incision, and how it is progressing.

(Wondering what the "energizer" shot was? Maybe that is why she was hyperactive. Perhaps it was some sort of vitamin shot?)

**Note: if you ever do give your kitten any people food....make sure it has NO onions or garlic.
(you probably already knew that...but I just figured...I'd mention it again.)

Hoping she feels better, quickly, too.:catrub:
Thank you! Kitty had an actual proper wet food meal this morning, as if nothing ever happened, and a decent serving of kibble after we came back from the vet.

I'm not sure what the shot was but she wanted to give her another one today and I asked her not to, lol. Her fever is gone and I have to take her back tomorrow for her last shot of antibiotics (hopefully). She gets very agitated after the shot, scratching and licking the back of her neck and licking and pulling at her stitches, running around, hiding, crying etc. She stops once she calms down and she hasn't actually pulled any of the stitches out so far but the vet could tell she had been messing with them.

I dread the though of having to go through another round of what I've described above tomorrow but hopefully it'll be the last one. She's also learned that her kitty travel bag = bad times so it's also getting harder to convince her to get in it :p

I'll keep you posted. And thank you all again, I think I needed the emotional support just as much as the kitty advice :)
 

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Thank you! Kitty had an actual proper wet food meal this morning, as if nothing ever happened, and a decent serving of kibble after we came back from the vet.
Excellent to hear. :jive:
I'm not sure what the shot was but she wanted to give her another one today and I asked her not to, lol. Her fever is gone and I have to take her back tomorrow for her last shot of antibiotics (hopefully). She gets very agitated after the shot, scratching and licking the back of her neck and licking and pulling at her stitches, running around, hiding, crying etc. She stops once she calms down and she hasn't actually pulled any of the stitches out so far but the vet could tell she had been messing with them.
Yay...for the fever gone.
The shots are probably a bit painful, or sting a bit. I don't blame your kitten for being agitated.
(I get like this after the human flu-shot...minus the crying and licking. ...sorry...just joking...though my arm does get sore.)
I dread the though of having to go through another round of what I've described above tomorrow but hopefully it'll be the last one. She's also learned that her kitty travel bag = bad times so it's also getting harder to convince her to get in it
Ahh, yes....the dreaded cat carrier scenario. "kitty travel bag=bad times"...so true.
Maybe, you could put some of her favourite treats inside the bag, while it is still at home,
or her favourite toy, favourite blanket,...and keep the travel bag....open.

(Unless she is like my old guy was...who once he saw the cat carrier come out.... immediately went to hide.)
In this case...maybe working on calming her down with the carrier...will be better left done...way after this event is over.)
I'll keep you posted. And thank you all again, I think I needed the emotional support just as much as the kitty advice
Thank you for your updates, too.
I agree.
I, too, think the emotional support that members give each other, here, on The Cat Site, TCS, is just as strong and helpful as the cat advice is. Thanks for saying that so beautifully.:bluepaw:
We all may have different experiences and tips....but our cats unite us...in that we all love them, and want the best for them.

This may be a dumb question...but is Kitty your kitten's name?
(because...I was always calling her kitten, and cannot remember if I asked her name.)

Hoping everything goes well at the Vet. And that kitten's progress continues.:catlove:
 
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charbasaur

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Excellent to hear. :jive:

Yay...for the fever gone.
The shots are probably a bit painful, or sting a bit. I don't blame your kitten for being agitated.
(I get like this after the human flu-shot...minus the crying and licking. ...sorry...just joking...though my arm does get sore.)

Ahh, yes....the dreaded cat carrier scenario. "kitty travel bag=bad times"...so true.
Maybe, you could put some of her favourite treats inside the bag, while it is still at home,
or her favourite toy, favourite blanket,...and keep the travel bag....open.

(Unless she is like my old guy was...who once he saw the cat carrier come out.... immediately went to hide.)
In this case...maybe working on calming her down with the carrier...will be better left done...way after this event is over.)

Thank you for your updates, too.
I agree.
I, too, think the emotional support that members give each other, here, on The Cat Site, TCS, is just as strong and helpful as the cat advice is. Thanks for saying that so beautifully.:bluepaw:
We all may have different experiences and tips....but our cats unite us...in that we all love them, and want the best for them.

This may be a dumb question...but is Kitty your kitten's name?
(because...I was always calling her kitten, and cannot remember if I asked her name.)

Hoping everything goes well at the Vet. And that kitten's progress continues.:catlove:
I agree, shots are rarely pleasant so I understand her discomfort. :) Especially since she probably doesn't understand what's happening to her.

I've decided to be a bit more bossy about the carrier today and I just picked her up and put her in. I expect her to get over her fear of the carrier eventually and play inside of it again as she normally does. She's a pretty forgiving kitten. :) The vet decided to skip the antibiotic shot today (the whole antibiotics thing was just precautionary in the first place, which seems a bit silly to me, but then again I'm not a vet; also I live in Eastern Europe where doctors love to throw antibiotic prescriptions at people & pets). So no more agitation and pulling at stitches today. :)

Yesterday she ate like a little piggy :eek: I've never seen her have such a massive appetite haha. Apart from maybe being a bit lazier than usual she's back to her regular self.

And yes I agree. I think it's at least a little bit distressing for every cat parent to see their baby sick but having a community to share our experiences with helps a lot. :)

Her "official" name is Freya but she has many unofficial names. She only responds to Freya though. When she feels like it. ;)
 

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I agree, shots are rarely pleasant so I understand her discomfort. :) Especially since she probably doesn't understand what's happening to her.

I've decided to be a bit more bossy about the carrier today and I just picked her up and put her in. I expect her to get over her fear of the carrier eventually and play inside of it again as she normally does. She's a pretty forgiving kitten. :) The vet decided to skip the antibiotic shot today (the whole antibiotics thing was just precautionary in the first place, which seems a bit silly to me, but then again I'm not a vet; also I live in Eastern Europe where doctors love to throw antibiotic prescriptions at people & pets). So no more agitation and pulling at stitches today. :)

Yesterday she ate like a little piggy :eek: I've never seen her have such a massive appetite haha. Apart from maybe being a bit lazier than usual she's back to her regular self.

And yes I agree. I think it's at least a little bit distressing for every cat parent to see their baby sick but having a community to share our experiences with helps a lot. :)

Her "official" name is Freya but she has many unofficial names. She only responds to Freya though. When she feels like it.
Freya. What a beautiful name. I had to look it up...goddess of Beauty...so I think it really fits.
Yes, having a cat respond to their name...only when they feel like it...is universal. :blush:
I find they respond quick around food-time. Other than that..."you know they hear you, but you know they ignore you, too. lol..:p

Yay, for getting her appetite back.
Freya probably knows that she has to eat and act her usual self, or her pet-guardian will bring her back to the 'place that likes giving shots'.:wink:
No, seriously though,...she must be feeling tonnes better, without the fever, and her pain and medications wearing off.

Good on you, for taking charge and putting her in her cat carrier.
Basically, we just have to act like this always, with our cats.
Not give them time to think, and change their mind.

(You'll also get there, with learning to pill her,...if you ever need to in the future.
Just start, by handling her everywhere, paws, mouth, tummy, legs etc. The more used to handling while a small kitten, then Freya will be more accepting of being handled later.)
also I live in Eastern Europe where doctors love to throw antibiotic prescriptions at people & pets
I find that Vets do that here, as well. Not as many doctors, though. (But I must confess...since I am a big baby, when I get a cold...I sort of like having a doctor who will suggest something. Sure, I know I don't want antibiotics, unless it's bacterial, ...but even some numbing spray, over-the-counter meds that work, or helpful suggestions. Not the 'oh, it's nothing serious, it'll go away' approach.
Gosh, they could at least mention chicken soup, you'd think.)

Anyhow, If you could post a photo or two, of how she looks, or how her healing incision site goes, that would be great.
But for now, just enjoy this post-op time, and continued 'healing vibes', for little Freya. :vibes::vibes::caticon:
 
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charbasaur

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cat nap cat nap Thank you! Initially the plan was to get a boy and call him Odin, but since she ended up being a girl I thought I should stick with something related to Norse mythology. ;) And I feel you on the big baby part, I'm exactly the same. Although I do hate it when they give me antibiotics for any little thing (though I never say anything because I don't want to act like I know better).

According to the vet the incision is healing well, she said something about the muscles being "well binded together" or something along those lines, although I'm not quite sure what that means (she said that in response to me worrying about Freya tearing open her outer stitches). She also said to put some betadine on it, but for that I'm gonna need my assistant (my mom) so I'm waiting for her to come home. :)

rubysmama rubysmama Yes, that was her on her second day home. She was just under two months old. Four months later she looks like a completely different cat, all grown up! This is a pic I took just now. :)

IMG_20191113_135157.jpg
 

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Gorgeous is right.:loveeyes: (I think rubysmama ...has the best words.)
Freya looks so long and tall. And she does have that majestic look, so yes, her goddess name is very fitting.
Amazing how she deepened her colours, in those four months, and how quickly she grew.:)

charbasaur charbasaur ...You never know what the future holds. You may end up with another goddess or god...umm...cat.:biggrin:
It all depends on finances, space, lifestyle. Who knows.
(I really don't know anything about Norse mythology, except for the movie Thor, so it was really interesting to read about.)
And how some of the words today, come from the word..."Freya"...is fascinating.)

And yes, I hear you on 'not wanting to question a doctor'....some get easily offended. But I think you have to....so you just make it sound like a question...That way they have to explain it...and not get offended.
(As you get older...say in your late 40s...you won't really care, if you offend your doctor or not.:einstein:)
I write a whole bunch of questions down...(for doctor or Vet)...that way, I just scribble some answers, and ask more, the next time.:lol:
According to the vet the incision is healing well, she said something about the muscles being "well binded together" or something along those lines, although I'm not quite sure what that means (she said that in response to me worrying about Freya tearing open her outer stitches). She also said to put some betadine on it, but for that I'm gonna need my assistant (my mom) so I'm waiting for her to come home.
I've read that Vets use 3 layers of stitches. One line for the muscle layer, one row for the subcutaneous layer (fat layer right under the skin)...and the last line is the visible skin layer, on top. (I only remember my vet tech, mentioning two...but it makes more sense with three.) So I guess your Vet means that the muscle layer is already woven together, and no need to worry about it. They use absorbable stitches on the inside, and my kittens had the absorbable kind of stitches on the outside, too.

It's always a bonus when you have an assistant. In your case your mom...in my case I either use my sister, when she's around, or dad. When dealing with animals, extra hands always helps with distraction and pats. :)
 
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charbasaur

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Thank you both. :) When she was little, people used to joke about how she looked like an ugly duckling... I guess she did end up turning into a beautiful swan. :p She's quite long and lanky, but weight-wise she's in the normal range for her age. I expect her to "fill up" as she grows. :)

cat nap cat nap Of course, you never know. Freya is my first pet so I'm still learning (I mean technically I've had fish and turtles before, but those were fairly low maintenance). She's been an actual angel of a cat, after hearing so many stories about cat behavioral issues (and watching a few too many episodes of My Cat From Hell) I was expecting to have a much harder time with her. She hasn't broken or destroyed a single thing! (except for punching a few holes into our leather couch, which I did warn my mom not to buy, but she never listens :doh2:)

I do think that's what she meant about the muscles, yes. The swelling and redness is almost gone from the outside as well, hopefully there won't be much trouble from now on, until Monday when she gets them removed.
 
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charbasaur

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Also, as a side note: She hasn't been grooming herself much since the surgery. The good part about that is that she's been less tempted to lick her incision, the bad part is that, well... she's starting to get a little stinky. :) I can see her mouth watering at times when she would normally give herself a good bath (before taking a nap or after waking up from one).

Is there a way to encourage her to groom herself? And if so, should I encourage her now or should I just wait until the stitches are out so we're safe?
 
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charbasaur

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Hmmm... I'm not sure. :headscratch: Probably she'll start again once she's totally feeling better. Meanwhile here's a TCS article that might be helpful: Be Kind To Your Cats' Behinds! Dirty Cat Butts Prevention And Treatment
Thank you, that was both helpful and quite amusing. :) The butter thing sounds promising, I'll keep that in mind. She did decide to wash herself a little bit - not long after we put betadine on her incision, so of course she managed to lick most of it off. 🤦‍♀️
 
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charbasaur

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Final update (hopefully)!

The stitches are finally out! Yesterday she started grooming herself, which means she also found her stitches and started pulling them out. 5 out of 6 to be exact. :) So there wasn't much left for the vet to do. The wound healed really well and the chance of anything going wrong at this point is minimal. There's a "fat lump" around the incision still, the vet said this is normal and that it will go away on its own eventually.

Unfortunately she has developed a case of what the vet and I think is stress grooming on one of her hind legs. The surgery, the recovery, lots of vet visits, little to no playtime, broken routine etc. It doesn't look like it's anything physical so hopefully as we return to our normal lives she'll stop doing it. I'll keep an eye on her, of course. :)

Thank you all again for following out little journey. You've been wonderful. :redheartpump:
 
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