We just spayed our cat about a week ago,and now there appears to be a medium sized lump under where the insision is. Should we take her to the vet? Is it scar tissue? She seems to be acting just fine...but we just noticed it this morning. If you have any ideas on what it could be, please let me no.
Thanks,
-Rachel
2007-04-13 06:13:01 · 16 answers · asked by Rachel♥ 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I would call your vet and explain it to them. It could be scar tissue but it could also be a number of other things like, puss build up, infection. Is it red around that area? Is it a hard lump or a soft lump? If it's hard then definitely call and get it checked out. If it's soft it could just be swollen from the incision. Good Luck!
2007-04-13 06:19:42 · answer #1 · answered by mageta8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it sounds like a hernia.
Post-operative hernias do occasionally happen after cat spays - this is when a portion of fat or internal organ has worked it's way out through the internal muscle layer, just under where the skin incision is. It is rarely due to poor surgical technique; more often it happens to young active cats who are impossible to keep rested after surgery! Running around or jumping anywhere before the stitches come out can cause the hernia.
You will need to take her to the vet ASAP - she will need to go under anaesthetic to have the hernia fixed, which is less of an invasive operation than the spay itself. The sooner it's fixed the better, as it will only get bigger and may become strangulated - when the blood supply to whatever is protuding becomes cut off, rapidly resulting in the death of the organ.
Hard luck, it does happen on occasion - you may need to confine kitty to a room with no surfaces to jump on if possible for at least a week after the hernia repair to prevent it happening again.
Chalice
2007-04-13 06:23:37 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The last 2 female cats I had spayed had the same thing happen. My vet had me bind the area to reduce the chance of the stitches popping. The lump went away about 2 weeks or so after the stitches came out. As long as the area is not hot to the touch, oozing, or reddish in color, then things should be fine. But do like I did and call the vet to advise them of whats going on and ask them for what to do. Each vet handles things differently on this.This has happened to my spayed females only 3 times with over 50 cats spayed in 13 years. We even caged our girls at home to try to prevent this but occasionally it happens. We keep large cages for cats for when they're sick, injured or have stitches from surgery, it's safest for them.
2007-04-13 06:53:44 · answer #3 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course call your vet, and let them know what's going on.
But, I've fostered cats for a while, and part of that process involves getting them spayed or neutered before they're sent off to their new homes.
Everytime I've brought in a kitten to be fixed, they've given me the same info on what to expect and how to care for them after. And, they do tell you that after being spayed the kitten may have some swelling at the incision (no larger than the size of a grape). This is usually caused by the kitten being too active, and it has happened to at least 3 of my fosters. I brought them all in, just in case (check ups are free for fosters at the humane society though) - point is they didn't do anything except tell me to keep an eye on them and make sure that it went away in a few days.
Long story short - it sounds like a common side affect, and I wouldn't worry too much - just call to make sure
2007-04-13 06:50:00 · answer #4 · answered by bethany s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Afraid where this one is concerned there is no quick fix ..
it could be an infection along the suture line or a slight haematoma..
Is the area looking sore and or hot to the touch..
If it is a suture line infection the wound could open.
Best to get the lady checked out with a vet..take her back to the vet that did the operation..
If it is an infection from inside that is swelling and pushing outwards chances are she caught something during the op.. Ask the vet to do a swab and to see what the infection is . Cats can get MRSA during ops .. if you find out that that is what it is I would creat merry hell with the vet..
2007-04-13 06:35:54 · answer #5 · answered by LESLEY D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes; best take the cat to the vet becuase it could be that her incision caught an infection and the lump is an abcess - if it is, then the cat will need antibiotics.
2007-04-13 12:14:43 · answer #6 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's normal, but maybe you can just call the vet? I'm sure they can tell you over the phone if you need to be concerned. It's cheaper than another vet visit and will probably give you a quicker answer.
2007-04-13 06:19:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go back to the vet. Could be an abscess and dangerous to the cat.
2007-04-13 06:20:44 · answer #8 · answered by cathoratio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, call the vet. Definitely.
2007-04-13 06:38:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the vet and tell them what is going on.
2007-04-13 06:23:13 · answer #10 · answered by buddingrose92 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋