My cat was just spayed yesterday....and she wont stop licking her belly...?

Question

she was spayed yesterday....i know that she has the disolving stiches....but is it okay for her to lick there? im afraid she will lick them away..lol....but really im at a loss of what to do....

Answer 1

That's how she keeps herself clean. She'll be just fine.

Answer 2

She should NOT be allowed to lick constantly. She needs a lampshade collar, ASAP! She can get those stitches open if you don't stop her, to the point where her intestines fall out. There's 2 layers, the skin closure and the abdominal wall closure, usually animals only get through the skin layer before they go back to the vet, but the abdomen will open up if this goes on long enough. And she will probably end up getting it infected too if she gets it open. You can get the collar from a vet or a pet store. You can make one out of a paper plate to get you through the night, cut about 1/3 of it out in a pie wedge, and then cut out the center part of the piece that's 2/3 of the plate. Wrap it around her head so that it doesn't come off but you can get 2 fingers under it, and then tape the plate to itself. It won't last long but should help till you can get a real one.

Answer 3

It is NOT OK that she is licking her incision. It's possible that she could open the whole incision. You either need to get creative to stop her licking or buy her an Elizabethan collar (like a lampshade turned inside out) that you can Velcro around her neck so she is unable to reach her abdomen. You might also try spraying some bitter apple around the area and that might cause her to leave it alone. Last but not least, call your vet who spayed her and see what they say.

Answer 4

It's not ok for her to keep licking at them - she can open the wound, and get an infection, or get a lick-sore. If you go back to your vet you can get an "elizabethan" collar, which is that lovely "bucket" look, which will prevent her licking at her stitches until the wound is healed. This is fitted so she can still eat and drink normally, but can't reach her wound. You will probably need to isolate her to a region of the house, incase she tries to climb up and falls.
Good luck!

Answer 5

You're a thoughtful and caring owner and I hope your kitty realizes just how much you care about her health and wellbeing.

As long as the area isn't red, swollen, oozing and/or bleeding then she should be okay. If you continue to be worried, do not hesitate to phone your vet's office. Incidentally, this is just the sort of thing they should have spoken with you about.

Try to see it from her point of view. She went to the vet, had sharp things inserted into her, couldn't stay awake long enough to find out why, and then woke up to find parts of her shaven and, as the medication wears off, probably painful.

Answer 6

We were worried about that too, our kitty had dissolving sutures. Chances are, she will be ok, and she won't break them. But if you are really worried, you might be able to zap your kitty with a spray bottle when she attempts to lick the wound area. She's not going to like that, but it's far better to wound her pride a little and get her a bit wet, than it is to have her wound re-sutured.

Best wishes.

Answer 7

Pet her to take her mind off of it. She's in a lot of pain and it's her instict to lick when it hurts. Being cut open and having your insides cut hurts like hell when the medication wears off.

Answer 8

It's probably just ichy, make sure she dosen't pull them out. And thank you for having your cat fixed.

Answer 9

she will be ok thats what cats do. You know the saying licking your wounds ? Well thats where it comes from !

Answer 10

you might try putting something like a cone around her neck so she cant reach her stomach.