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Buying a Kitten for my birthday: TIPS PLEASE!
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Just an update with pictures :)
My friend told me he'll ask his mum (mom in America?) where they got their cat spayed for around $100. I want to get her spayed ASAP, as she does look depressed.
Anyway, since my last picture I posted up, she hasn't changed in length, rather put on a bit of fat. Shes not obese or anything haha.
Remember this picture? http://img16.imageshack.us/i/p2160089mf0.jpg/Pictures that were taken about a couple weeks ago. I'll take some pictures in the coming few days, but she does look quite depressed.
Looking worried at the top (She looks a little different hey?) http://img192.imageshack.us/i/p4040333.jpg/
Big eyes, so cute! http://img196.imageshack.us/i/p4080347.jpg/
Looking fierce http://img40.imageshack.us/i/image328.jpg/
She usually sleeps on my bed but...
http://img37.imageshack.us/i/image326a.jpg/Or she usually sleeps here...I can't do much if she does haha. http://img37.imageshack.us/i/image450c.jpg/
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Awwww, Bella is a beauty. Glad to see and hear that you have such a wonderful, loving bond with her.
Yes mum = mom = momma = mama = mother :-)
Other than her behavior that makes you think she is in heat, is she doing okay? Drinking water normally? Still eating and using the litter tray normally? No vomiting or changes to her stool output or litter tray habits? No blood or swellings? What about the excessive grooming of her rear end?
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Nope, she stopped yowling, but my mum and I dropped her at the vet just an hour ago. She refused to go into her traveling cage, but she wasn't too fussy in the car either, she just seemed a little worried but remained calm.
My mum took her into the vet, and she told me Bella didn't make a fuss, so that's good. She's probably being spayed very soon, and we'll pick her up by 6pm tonight. Is there anything I should know after we take her back? And how can I treat her to something special, after all she deserves it after the spaying!
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Awwww, Bella! She'll probably be a bit groggy when she comes home, just keep her quiet and be extra kind and gentle with her, but the vet will tell you anything you need to know. Treats ... hmmmm, I'm sure you'll get heaps of suggestions. Bless you for being so considerate to your little girl!
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Hi Paradox. Glad to know Miss Bella Her Royal Kittiness is getting spayed. She'll heal up quickly from the surgery at her age and be far more comfortable for having been spayed....no more misery of going into heat and no having a passle of kittens at too young an age!
Like Jcat says, Bella will be a bit groggy and uncomfortable at first. The vet should tell you proper post op care. Be careful of her stitches and if you must pick her up don't put any pressure on her tummy for awhile until she heals. Pick her up by placing a hand under her rib cage just behind her front legs and use the other hand to gently get under her back feet to support her weight without pressue on her tummy or stretching her tummy from her weight hanging.
Make sure she can easily get to her water, food and litter tray and that her favorite snuggle spot is nice and clean.
As she heals be sure to play gently with her.
As to treats, once she is healed, how about some fresh catnip tied up in an old, clean sock as a great simple toy? That is if she happens to like catnip. Not all cats do.
Don't get in the habit of dispensing too many food treats. Cats will learn to beg for them and get fat on them if you let them. It's like one of us eating too many cookies.
Anyway, it sounds like you are doing great and the pictures of Bella show she is growing into a fine kitty.
Many blessings to you and her!
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I just looked at the pictures you posted last week. What a beauty Miss Bella grew up to be. It looks like you are an excellent kitty parent.
Posted 9 months ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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I wouldn't think a sachet of tuna would hurt, just for a once-in-a-while treat!
The incision will probably take about a week to heal but the vet will probably tell you to bring her back in to have her stitches taken out -- that's when the incision should have healed. It's usually about a week after the spaying, I seem to remember.
The only thing to look out for is if she starts to worry or pull at her stitches with her teeth, then she might need a collar to stop her trying to get at them. But in all the cats I've known, I've only known one who pulled them out (my Libby, the little ratbag!)
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Yep, Jcat is right on target. Just watch to make sure Bella doesn't chew and pull at the stitches. Expect her to do a bit of licking. Just make sure it isn't excessive, pulling the stitches or making the incision look inflamed. Just keep an eye on the incision for any signs of infection but that rarely is a problem.
And once Bella can resume full diet, tomorrow most likely unless the vet specified otherwise, a sachet of tuna would be a sweet treat for her.
You are quite welcome to whatever knowledge we can share. It is a pleasure to help.
I know you have lots of other things to do than hang out here all the time. But please be sure to check in periodically and keep us updated on how both you and Bella are doing. It's fun to keep up with your news.
Good luck young sir. *and gentle petting to Bella the Beauty*
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Okay, so I actually stepped into the vet this time around, and this guy, looks so corny, I don't trust him after what he told me.
He informed me, that Bella went into a seizure while in operation (I was so worried when he told me that, is that noraml?) and that he had to open a bigger hole thus 3 stitches. The stiches are blood stained ...still wet (Is that normal?) and shes hiding in concealed areas licking the stitches... IS ANYTHING WRONG?!?
UPDATE: Her tail is flying around, and she's growling at me, she's obviously angry with me. She is also biting her stitches?!? How do I stop this, should I put a band aid over it?
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I'm sorry to hear this!
As to the seizure, it isn't usual but it isn't abnormal. It does sometimes happen, usually from an adverse reaction to the anesthesia or other medication given for the operation.
Bella is in pain. That is why the tail is going and she's growling and chewing at the stitches, poor thing.
Did the vet give you any pain medication for her? Do NOT give Bella any people pain medicines.
Uhm, a bandaid won't work on a cat. She'll just chew that off causing more damage.
If you can get what's called an Elizabethan collar at from the vet or at a pet store, here is a link to a site showing how you can make a temporary one from a paper plate. http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/elizabethan.htm
Bella will hate it but it will keep her from gnawing at the stitches.
Just be sure you don't put it on so tight you choke her. And be prepared for her to kick it off with her hind feet. But it is worth a try.
I'm really quite shocked and disappointed your vet didn't give you better info, some pain meds and instructions, and an E-collar for Bella.
It is safe to GENTLY apply antibiotic CREAM to the wound -- not the greasy ointment but the non-greasy CREAM, like Neosporin CREAM salve, especially if you can get one that has a small amount of pain relief med in it. That will help but be careful not to get bitten by Bella. She is in pain and will NOT want to be touched or have the wound messed with.
Have your mom gently but firmly hold her by the scruff of the neck so she can't bite if you are going to handle her.
This may sound odd, but can you take a picture of her incision right away and post it for us to see? It will give us an idea of how bad it looks and help us give you better advice.
I will say that if Bella rips out any stitches or starts oozing blood or, worse, bleeding freely, you need to get her back to the vet RIGHT AWAY for emergency care.
I'm saying a prayer for your sweet Bella. *hugs to you too*
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Hi, Paradox,
I don't blame you for being worried, I would be too. No, it's not normal for a cat to have a seizure while in the operation, although no one can predict how any animal will react to an anaesthetic. I'm not a vet so I can't tell you how common or uncommon it is.
3 stitches doesn't sound too terrible, I'm sure my Libs had at least three, and I wouldn't worry about a bit of blood staining but it depends on how much. When you say still wet, do you mean there's a lot of blood and she's still bleeding? A tiny bit of ooze is all right, a lot of liquid or a 'gush' is not.
It's not unusual for her to be a bit upset with you, or to be hiding somewhere and licking the stitches. My parents' cat does this when they've taken him to the vet (he recently had surgery on his leg).
But growling at you and tail flying around sounds like she might be in pain, which she shouldn't be -- at least not so much as to change her character. And biting her stitches is not good. The usual thing vets do to stop this is to put an Elizabethan (cone-shaped) collar on. I wouldn't advise a bandaid as she might then try to scratch that off and make things worse.
I take it it's now after business hours in Australia? If not, ring the vet's surgery you just came from, right now.
If the vet is closed, I would talk to your parents and see what you all think. If you are really worried, and/or if she has bitten out her stitches and the wound is open again, or if it starts bleeding badly, I would ring an emergency vet. But they can be expensive.
If the stitches are still holding and if she just seems a bit grumpy and like she wants to hide from you, but otherwise not too bad, then I would wait till the morning and see how she is then. If you're still not happy, I would call another vet (not the one you took her to today) and get a second opinion to put your mind at rest. Because of the seizure, I think if she were mine, I would want to get a second opinion from a vet I trust.
It really is important to look around for a vet you can trust and who you feel really cares about Bella. The best way to find a good vet is to go by recommendations from family and/or friends, or you could ring the SPCA or the shelter Bella came from in your area and ask them for the name of a good vet. (Ask for the people in charge.) They are bound to have an opinion and/or a vet they like to use. The best vet is often not the most expensive but they may not be the cheapest either. But they may well have payment plans so you can pay Bella's bills off a bit at a time.
It's hard for us to advise you Paradox, as we can't see Bella and how bad she is (or isn't) and in any case we're not vets. All we can do is suggest what we would do ourselves, if we were worried about our animals, and that is take her back to a vet. And wish you good luck and send you {{HUGS}}} for you and Bella. Please keep in touch and let us know what happens.
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Bless you and bless poor Bella. Hopefully she will do better with some sleep. Sometimes pain is actually magnified in the first hours after anesthetic wears off. Hopefully she'll wake up feeling better.
How much is the incision/stitches bleeding? Is it just moist? Is there fresh blood? Can you be more descriptive?
Ringing the vet in the morning with all your concerns is wise! Keep up the good work Paradox. You're doing well.
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Also, thank you so much for your prayers. It seems to be moist, fresh blood coming from the bottom of the three stitches. Is it also normal for her body to look odd, she seems to be thinner in the middle region of her body.
When she tries to meow, she can barely do it, I think that's a bad sign...She REALLY needs that Elizabethan collar ASAP, I'll try to find something that could fit her, thanks for the link marnet.
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Paradox, if she is continuing to ooze fresh blood and appears too weak to meow, CALL THE VET NOW! If he doesn't have an emergency number, look up and call whatever emergency vet clinic there is and talk with them NOW.
As to looking odd, are you sure it isn't because she has been shaved? It will make her look lots thinner there because a great deal of cats' apparent size is their fur.
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Paradox, if it's fresh blood and she's that weak, call the emergency vet and at least try to talk to him/her. I don't like the sound of that either. She should be getting more active now that the anaesthetic's wearing off, not less.
Does she seem bright eyed when she's awake, and alert? or does she seem kind of flat and limp, not raising her head much? If the latter, I would definitely ring the vet.
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Paradox, don't wait until morning to call and talk to an emergency vet. They can ask you questions that will determine if Bella needs emergency attention tonight. If you just wait until morning, it could be too late!!! Please call. Hopefully the vet will determine it's not serious but please, please let a vet determine that.
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You guys are worrying me! I inspected it again, although when I pick her up with my hands on her ribs (I didn't touch her anyway near the stitches) she reows as if she was angry. It seems like most of the blood is gone, so it was most likely blood stains.
I tried a temporary E-Collar made from a plastic plate, which she ripped out of, shes now in a cardboard plate E-Collar, in which shes trying to get off, and meowing whenever I try to pull the E-Collar back up near her chin.
Her pupils are large... I'll be ringing a Emergency vet soon, if any other problems occur. The closet emergency vet is a 30min drive. This problem is making my heart race/ache, it's killing me too.
PS: She's taking another nap with the E-Collar on, that's a little relief for me.
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*hugs*
I know, it's heartbreaking and scary. You don't know if this is all normal or not and you just want your kitty well, safe, and comfortable. You are doing GREAT. Hang in there and try not to fret more than you can help.
Call the emergency vet and tell them your concerns. They can tell soooo much better than we can if there is a problem or if this is fairly normal.
If she's strong enough to have gotten out of one collar, that is actually good. It means she has strength and spunk in her.
Just keep giving her lots of gentle sweet talk and care.
Let us know what the emergency vet says please. We're worried for her and you.
The fact you think it was blood stains and not fresh blood continuing to bleed is good! The moistness could have been from her licking the stitches!!! Are the stitches still intact???
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Sorry, Paradox, we don't mean to worry you but we are worried too. But if the wound is NOT still bleeding, then that's a relief. I'm not surprised she meows if you pick her up, that's bound to hurt. Think how sore you would be just a couple of hours after you'd had your appendix out or something.
If she's trying to get the collar off and meowing with some energy, then that's good. (Not good for the collar though.) Do keep an eye on her and, as Marnet says, if you do ring the emergency vet, you won't necessarily have to take her in, but it would ease your mind.
Also, the emergency vet would probably appreciate being rung before 10pm, if you're going to ring them, rather than after. Sometimes they are not actually on duty but just on call, meaning they have to drive down to the surgery if an emergency does occur.
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