Sterilization of cats has long become a standard operation performed in any veterinary clinic. It is believed that the likelihood of developing “side effects” is extremely low, but... a lot depends on the owner. If you do not process the seam after sterilization, or do it incorrectly, it will end sadly.
General recommendations
The owner needs to remember a number of important nuances. Analgesics must be used in the first three days before treatment. At this time, the cat will painfully perceive any mechanical impact on the seam. The animal may resist, scratch, and in the most severe cases, painful shock is possible.
Under no circumstances use paracetamol or other medicines from your home medicine cabinet for these purposes! “Human” anesthetics are in many cases deadly for cats.
We strongly do not recommend removing the surgical collar (if any) from the cat during treatment! Without it, the cat may bite the owner, especially in the first days after surgery, when the suture can cause the animal a lot of discomfort.
The first treatment should be carried out on the second day after surgery. There's no point in doing it earlier!
Finally, the frequency of processing. It is believed that this should be done no more than twice a day. If the seam heals well and does not ooze ichor, you can disinfect it every two days (remember to consult a veterinarian first).
Exacerbation of glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis refers to inflammation of the kidneys, which mainly affects the glomerular apparatus of the organ. Chronic glomerulonephritis is a dangerous pathology, since it involves gradual death of the renal glomeruli, which reduces the performance of organs.
The occurrence of a chronic form can be caused by autoimmune disorders. Pathology can develop due to autoimmune processes, hypothermia, chronic endometritis, and nutritional deficiency. One of the reasons is toxicosis, which can occur after anesthesia.
Chronic infectious diseases are also the cause:
- glanders;
- tuberculosis;
- chronic purulent bronchopneumonia;
- chroniosepsis.
During anesthesia, an exacerbation of the disease may occur, since narcotic drugs are excreted by the kidneys. In addition, edema develops, and an increased content of proteins, nitrogen, and creatine is observed in the urine. In severe cases, urine production stops, nitrous acids accumulate in the blood, and uremia, cachexia, and tachycardia are observed.
Rules for processing postoperative sutures
How to perform this procedure correctly?
First of all, there is no need to rush. Secondly, you must strictly follow the instructions below:
- First, you need to moisten a cotton-gauze swab or just a gauze swab with an antiseptic composition, and then, without making sudden movements, wipe the seam along the edge, removing dried ichor and other contaminants.
- It is not advisable to wipe the surface of the seam; it is recommended to do this only if it is very dirty. It is better to apply antiseptic ointments and similar dosage forms directly to the seam.
- All skin folds in the suture area must be thoroughly smoothed and washed with an antiseptic. Dirt accumulates in them, and pathogenic microflora actively develops there.
- In addition, veterinarians advise treating the seam while the cat is standing. This approach reduces the likelihood that part of the antiseptic composition will get deep into the wound canal.
Diagnostics
If blood is detected in a cat's urine, the diagnosis is made based on the history provided by the owner and data from laboratory tests of urine and blood. The presence of purulent exudate, pathogenic microflora, and indicators of the level of erythrocytes and leukocytes are determined.
Urine sampling is carried out in the morning, no earlier than 3-4 hours before submitting the sample for analysis. Before this, it is not recommended to feed the cat for 12 hours.
To make an accurate diagnosis, in addition to laboratory tests, your pet may undergo an X-ray and/or ultrasound examination of the urinary system.
Mistakes of inexperienced owners
Here is a list of critical mistakes that inexperienced breeders most often make:
- “Filling” the seams with an alcohol tincture of iodine or brilliant green. First of all, it hurts. Secondly, such a concentration of antiseptic compounds does not lead to anything good. More precisely, they simply burn the tissue, which is why a chemical burn also develops right at the postoperative suture, in addition to other “joys”. Accordingly, the regeneration time increases significantly.
- Owners who believe that the seam (provided it looks good) does not need to be processed at all are also mistaken. Like, “it will heal like that.” We must not forget that the environment is rarely sterile, and therefore the wound canal can be contaminated with pathogenic or conditionally pathogenic microflora at any time. This phenomenon will certainly lead to the development of purulent inflammation.
- Some breeders vigorously rub the seam during processing, which is also unacceptable. Rough processing can, firstly, introduce an infection into the seam, and secondly, such actions slow down the regeneration process.
- You cannot thickly coat the seams with ointments, you cannot “tightly” cover it with tight bandages. There must be air access to the wound channel! Otherwise, anaerobic infections may develop, which are fatal to the health of the animal (and often lead to death).
Leptospirosis
Transmitted through raw meat of rodents and wild animals. At the beginning there are no symptoms, the incubation period lasts up to 10 days, but can be shortened by stress factors, such as surgery.
Characteristic symptoms of blood poisoning develop:
- There is a strong increase in temperature by 2-3 and even 4oC.
- In the process of life, leptospires destroy red blood cells, so free hemoglobin easily seeps through the tissues. This causes the urine to become brown or dark brown in color.
- The feces become liquid, black or dark cherry, sometimes with a greenish tint, and take on the smell of rotten meat.
- The mucous membranes acquire a yellowish tint.
- In this case, microscopic hemorrhages in the form of red dots can be detected in the oral cavity.
- Later they grow, merge together and form non-healing ulcers.
- The liver increases in size, becomes dense and painful.
How to treat the seam?
The following compositions can be used to treat a postoperative wound and the tissue around it:
- Miramistin.
- You can treat the seam with chlorhexidine. It is even preferable to the previous option, since the composition has a better antiseptic effect.
- The skin around the seam can be treated with regular alcohol tincture of iodine and brilliant green. The main thing is not to pour these compounds into the wound channel!
- The surface of the seam can and should be treated with levomekol. This is an ointment with a pronounced bactericidal effect. In addition, the composition of dense consistency prevents debris and microflora from entering the wound channel.
Possible complications and solutions to emerging problems
Not in all cases, the recovery period after surgery goes smoothly. Sometimes it is accompanied by complications that can appear for various reasons: due to untimely or improper treatment of the suture, the characteristics of the pet’s body, advanced age, the qualifications of the veterinarian performing the procedure, violation of the rules of asepsis and antisepsis, etc.
Possible complications and ways to eliminate them:
- Non-disappearing or increasing painful sensations , accompanied by constant plaintive meowing. You should not try to numb the pain with painkillers. It is important to find out why your tailed pet is experiencing pain in the operated area and take appropriate action to correct the problem. If several days have passed since the surgical intervention and the pain has not subsided, it is recommended to show the animal to a veterinarian.
- Seroma. Fluid accumulates at the incision site due to the presence of an open area or gap in the subcutaneous fat layer due to incomplete suturing, licking, or increased motor activity of the cat. When they fill with inflammatory fluid, lumps form under the suture line. If lymphorrhea is suspected, differential diagnosis is required to exclude an abscess. Usually this convex formation disappears on its own as the fluid that forms it is reabsorbed by the tissues of the pet’s body. Sometimes it requires draining and suturing.
How many days to process the seam
Of course, much in this case depends on the specific animal, the success of the operation, the type of sterilization and other factors. Given all this, we recommend that you carefully consult with the veterinarian who performed the operation. He can give a lot of valuable advice.
- The older the animal, the longer it takes to look after its stitch. So, in cats aged seven years and older, the seam completely heals in about two weeks. And all this time, accordingly, the owner needs to regularly carry out treatment. Accordingly, in young cats, post-operative wounds heal much faster, which reduces the duration of treatment.
- It takes the longest to process the seam left after cavity sterilization. At least five days, often this period is longer. The wounds left after laparoscopic sterilization cause the least problems. As a rule, already on the third day after the operation they are completely overgrown, which is why the need for treatment also disappears.
How to remove stitches after sterilization (cat)
Sterilization involves removing sutures after surgery on a cat, unless it is laparoscopy. Sutures are usually placed using two methods - internal and external. The internal connects the cut tissues inside (muscles, subcutaneous fat, etc.), and the vessels are also ligated. It is performed with special self-absorbing threads that do not require removal. An experienced veterinarian pays the greatest attention to the quality of internal sutures, since the condition of the animal after surgery directly depends on this. External sutures are usually performed with surgical sutures, in which case it will be necessary to remove the sutures after a certain time. In addition to removing stitches immediately after surgery, the cat will also need rehabilitation.
What to do if the cat does not allow the seam to be processed?
It happens that the pet (especially in the first day after sterilization) is not allowed into the hands and resists when the owner tries to treat the seam. At this time, the animal still experiences unpleasant sensations, which explain the outbursts of aggression.
And if the cat does not allow the seam to be processed, you need to do the following:
- If the animal is strong, it is advisable to use mild sedatives and painkillers.
- A surgical collar is required. It will prevent the animal from scratching the owner, as well as from tearing the interfering seam later.
- In the most severe cases, you have to “swaddle” the cat using a sheet or pillowcase, and then inspect and treat the seam on its stomach.
In addition, it won’t hurt to talk to your pet, pet it more often and calm it down. If the cat gets used to the daily treatment of seams, then it will be much calmer about it. When processing, you do not need to make sudden movements; you should not press too hard on the tampon.
Viral infection
It is not entirely correct to call a viral infection a complication of sterilization. But I want to warn as many people as possible. Doctors try to maintain cleanliness and order in the clinic to the best of their ability. However, your cat may still encounter viruses brought in by other cats. It is better if she is vaccinated in advance. The ideal regimen is vaccination at 3 months and sterilization between 6-12 months. Then revaccination at 15 months, when the cat has fully recovered from the operation.
Alarming signs of various viral diseases (rinotracheitis, calicivirosis, panleukopenia):
- Excessive drooling;
- Ulcer on the nose, tongue;
- Nasal discharge, sneezing;
- lacrimation;
- Vomiting or diarrhea;
- Depression, refusal to eat.
If your animal feels unwell, it is better to call your doctor and discuss the course of action. Sterilization itself cannot cause poor appetite, loose stools or other symptoms.
Symptoms that require you to see a doctor
Postoperative sutures after sterilization of a cat require increased attention. If during processing there is an unpleasant odor, swelling and redness of the seam, then you should immediately show the animal to a doctor. The reasons for going to the vet are bloody discharge between the stitches, fever, rapid breathing and prolonged lack of appetite. The cat must be shown to the doctor if, within 24 hours, after anesthesia, nausea and poor coordination of movements have not gone away, and there is restlessness and trembling of the limbs.
To avoid negative reactions, you need to limit the animal’s movement. You should not let him run, jump high, climb, or perform actions that could injure his stomach. After sterilization, the cat blanket must be on the pet at all times.
Recovery from anesthesia
How and how long does a cat leave after sterilization? This question worries many cat lovers. After anesthesia, the animal sleeps for 7-12 hours. It happens that the pet comes to its senses earlier.
In the first hours after anesthesia, the cat is lethargic and drowsy. She may experience bouts of nausea. Sometimes there is aggression, lack of coordination, uncertainty when moving, limping, and attempts to remove the blanket. Sometimes involuntary urination, vomiting and increased body temperature occur. The last symptom will help to install a thermometer, which is inserted into the animal's anus.
After sterilization, the place for the animal should be insulated, since many cats feel chills and freeze during this period. The lounger should be located on the floor, in a draft-free room.
After anesthesia, the pet has poor coordination of movements, so it should not be placed on a height (sofa or chair), as the cat may fall. For the same reason, there should be no sharp or hot objects in the room.
After anesthesia, difficulty blinking may occur, and sometimes the animal's cornea dries out. Eye drops will help get rid of such ailments.
After anesthesia, the cat does not move well. In this regard, the animal should be shifted from one side to the other every half hour. When she comes to, she will try to get up on her paws, and 12 hours after the anesthesia she returns to full activity. During this period, the owner must create comfortable conditions for the animal and ensure that the sutures are treated correctly after sterilization of the cat.
Medical purposes
Depending on the surgery your cat has undergone, your veterinarian may prescribe certain medications for your cat. Create a medication distribution plan and injection schedule.
During the postoperative period, the cat needs to measure its temperature every 3-6 hours - rectally with an electronic thermometer, having previously lubricated the tip with baby cream or Vaseline. The normal value is 38-39.5 degrees, do not worry if the temperature drops slightly.
Step-by-step instructions for removing sutures
Here are step-by-step instructions that must be strictly followed when removing suture material:
- Before starting work, you need to wait about ten minutes so that the soapy water, which we already talked about above, has time to soften the suture material.
- After this, you must definitely count how many stitches were placed. If possible, you should also call the veterinarian who performed the spay and ask how many stitches he used. This is necessary so as not to accidentally leave a couple of stitches. This, by the way, does not happen so rarely.
- You can start withdrawing. First, you need to thoroughly wipe the tweezers with alcohol, and then carefully grab the seam loop. It should be pulled upward as much as possible.
- As soon as the seam has stretched sufficiently, you need to insert the lower jaw of the scissors under it and cut the thread.
- To remove the remainder of the latter, you need to pull it out of the skin. This is done carefully and without unnecessary haste. If the thread is “stuck” to the skin, it is necessary to carefully turn it around its axis and pull the rest of the seam towards you. If you pull too hard, you can injure your cat, tearing the thin layer of newly healed skin.
If the seam does not give way, and a piece of thread comes out of the skin with great difficulty, there is no need to rush and tear it out “forcibly”. You can wipe the grout line again with warm soapy water and wait about an hour. After this period, the skin will soften, after which everything can be done without much effort.
