I just adopted her from PetsMart through the Last Chance Society and I'm just a bit worried about her incision when she got neutered. It's a tad bit crusty, and she's constantly wanting to lick it. It doesn't look infected but if it starts to get that way, how will I know before it gets really bad?
-Worried Kitty Mom-
2007-06-14 10:19:07 · 8 answers · asked by Crystaline 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I've looked again and noted that it's not red or draining any fluids. I'll keep checking her to make sure the wound doesn't get puffy or that she gets a fever.
I didn't know that you can check for a fever by her ears... thanks for the tip!
2007-06-14 10:28:22 · update #1
This happens to many kittens right after surgery
Its natural for her to want to lick it and while this is not to harmful just gently discourage it
If it does start to get red or overly irritated just call or zip over to the vet and get a secound opionon
2007-06-14 10:24:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have some good info here already -- I agree not to trust the ear idea though. I have an addition that might help -- healing wounds itch. If it itches less, she may leave it alone more. If you get some neosporin or bacitracin antibiotic ointment (store brand is fine)and spread it liberally over the incision, it will itch less and it will protect it from infection too. She may lick it but it won't hurt her to ingest it -- tastes a little nasty but that is all. If the wound starts to look red or puffy, take her back to the vet, but I'll bet she will be fine.
2007-06-14 10:59:19 · answer #2 · answered by Pete 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't try taking a cats temp by touching ears as my cats always have warm to hot ears, to take a cats temp you need a rectal thermometer. don't wash the wound or get it wet as you don't know what type of stitches she has had. a crusty wound is a scab on it quite normalso long as there is no discahrge, smell, redness, tenderness, swelling etc much the same as for human op sites don't worry, you can let her lick it as it will promote healing but not too much as this can start of an infection. if at all worried take her along to your vet for a check on the wound she should have a post op appointment about 10 days afterward the op.
2007-06-14 10:34:56 · answer #3 · answered by kath 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Treat the incision with cotton soaked in peroxide a couple of times a day. If you see any signs of infection or if she has a fever (you can tell by touching her ears, they will feel hot), take her to the vet, she will need antibiotics.
Edit: I beg to differ with the posters who say that ears are not an indication of fever. You can feel the difference from the normal warmth of the ear, or at least I could, and I got him to the vet immediately.
The next time my cat has a fever, I invite those posters to come over to my place and try sticking a thermometer in my cats rectum. I'll stock up on bandaids before you get here.
2007-06-14 10:23:12 · answer #4 · answered by sleepingliv 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like it's not completely healed yet. When she wants to lick it, distract her with a treat or playtime. Keep an eye on it - if it starts getting red or swollen, or if she's very quiet or sleeping a lot, then you might want to take her to the vet to have it checked. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much.
2007-06-14 10:24:28 · answer #5 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The incision site should be clean looking. If it looks crusty, it may start to get infected. Look for redness, puffiness, & discharge. If you see any or all of this, take her to the vet. immediately for treatment. They will have to put her on antibiotics.
2007-06-14 10:23:38 · answer #6 · answered by dogncattech 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Im a cat expert Ive studied cats my whole life. So, if it's like that it means it's like a scab so eventualy it will come off. It licks it because it itches
2007-06-14 10:57:14 · answer #7 · answered by Deborah J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the vet / adoption place and ask them about it !
2007-06-14 10:22:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋