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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:	Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:	FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:	MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO

Created:	Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:	Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5089
Total number of notes:	60366

1965.0. "Swelling after Spaying" by MEMV02::MISSELHORN () Mon Nov 14 1988 10:47

    


    Our two kittens, Brittany and Melissa, who are 6 months old
    were spayed last week.  They have finally fought off the worst
    of the lethargy (although they are still sleeping more than 
    usual it seems) but both of them have some swelling in the
    area of their stitches.  Missy, in particular--the area is
    about an inch and a half long by 3/4" wide.  
    
    The swelled area is soft and moves as we move the kitties
    around to look at it giving me the impression that there is
    a fluid buildup of some kind inside.
    
    I called the Animal Emergency Clinic Saturday night (the second
    time I've used them and gotten excellent response--sympathic
    interested, and good questions asked by them).  They said to
    take their temperatures (which were normal) and watch for 
    lack of energy, eating, and any other abnormal behavior.  If
    any of that, they wanted them brought in.  If not, they said
    to call my own vet today.  I called and left an emergency
    message for her to call back today if she thought it was critical
    otherwise, I will call her tomorrow.
    
    I'm interested to know if anyone else has had this happen with
    their cat or kitten after being spayed.
    
    Barbara 
    
    (PS  For anyone who read my note 1958, our older cat still is
         being obnoxious toward the kittens but at least she will
         stay in the same room with them now and has progressed to
         sniffing them before hitting them.  We think she thinks that
         they are different kittens than "her" kittens and is still
         trying to figure the situation out.

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1965.1	Sounds like.....	BRUTUS::SOBEK		`Mon Nov 14 1988 11:27`	9
	..Can't tell for sure in this case, but sometimes, ....especially if cats are very active the first few days after spaying, they can get a hernia at the site of the incision. Just to be on the safe side, I would recommend talking to the vet about it to see if he wants to check it out. Good luck... Linda
1965.2		CUPMK::TRACHMAN	ZhivagoCats, Ltd..The Inn is Full..264-8298	`Mon Nov 14 1988 11:53`	9
	I have seen swelling around the incision area - this usually goes down after a few days, but a lump will develop, which usually goes away after time. If you are really concerned, run over and have your vet take a quick look, but it sounds normal to me. Is there any redness or oozing (discharge) coming from the sutures? or any bleeding? Or, does the area look pink and dry? E.T.
1965.3	Allergic Reaction to Suture Material Used	FREKE::HUTCHINS	Feathered Obsessions Aviary	`Mon Nov 14 1988 12:37`	17
	Hi! It is not uncommon for suturing to be a little tight, and a lump will form while healing. However, I have seen cases where fluid did build up under the incision...in those cases, the cats were brought back in, the incision opened and cleaned then re-sutured. Since this lump moves, I'd be inclined to have the operating vet take a look see! Sometimes, it's an allergic reaction to the suture material used to close the site! Is the wound dry? does it feel warm? I'd say call your vet and then please, let us know what happens!!! Thanks! Jean
1965.4	No oozing or redness	MEMV02::MISSELHORN		`Mon Nov 14 1988 13:31`	25
	Thanks for all the replies and so quickly, too! To E.T.: The area does look pink and dry on both kitties-- no oozing, discharge or extreme redness. To Jean: The skin around the area is warm but normally so-- not hot. The people at the Animal Emergency clinic also said that it might be a reaction to the stitches that are in the muscle underneath the skin in which case the swelling should go away on its own. So, Jean, you could be right on that. Linda, these kittens, who are normally VERY active (especially Brittany) did nothing but sleep and snuggle the first couple of days. I wouldn't totally rule out the possibility of hernias, though, isn't it sometimes a side effect of surgery? I will definitely let all of you know what happens since this file is one of the greatest information sources I've found--better than books even! Barbara
1965.5		FREKE::HUTCHINS	Feathered Obsessions Aviary	`Mon Nov 14 1988 17:16`	0
1965.6	It's okay!	MEMV01::MISSELHORN		`Tue Nov 15 1988 10:27`	17
	Just to let everyone know: I talked to our vet this morning and she said that this swelling is normal for kitties after being spayed. It has to do with the muscle absorbing the internal sutures. She said that the area should be getting hard (which it is) and not to touch it too much since that interferes with the natural process. She said that, by the time they go in to have their stitches removed, the swelling should be a small lump. Also, since they are acting normal now, especially not to worry. Just like people, kitties react differently because Melissa's swelling is very large and Brittany's is very small. So, all's well that ends well! Barbara