I'm really hoping for some advice. My sweet little Luna just got spayed two days ago, and I’ve been super paranoid about her trying to groom herself down there. The vet put one of those dreaded cones on her, but she absolutely hates it and keeps giving me the saddest looks. I took it off for a bit to let her eat more comfortably, and the first thing she did was start cleaning around her incision. I’m terrified she’s going to hurt herself or something will get infected. Has anyone dealt with this before? How do you keep your cats from licking their stitches without them hating you forever? I'm really anxious and just want her to heal properly without too much stress. Any tips or experiences would be really appreciated!
Hello there! It’s perfectly normal to be concerned about your kitty after she’s been spayed, so you’re doing a great job by keeping an eye on her.
Cats naturally want to clean themselves, and some licking around the incision area can be expected. It’s their way of trying to stay well-groomed. However, excessive licking can disturb the healing process and may lead to irritation or even infection.
The key is to monitor her closely. If she's licking a lot, you might need to use a recovery collar (also known as an Elizabethan collar or "cone") to prevent her from bothering the incision. You can usually find these at pet stores or your vet may have given one post-surgery.
You'll want to check the incision site daily for redness, swelling, or discharge, which can signal an infection. If she seems lethargic, has a decrease in appetite, or if you notice any bleeding, those are more serious signs that need prompt attention from a vet.
For now, try to keep her calm and quiet and discourage any jumping to aid in the healing process. Try to ensure she’s in a comfortable space where she feels safe.
If you have any lingering worries or if anything changes with her condition, it would be a good idea to book a video consult with Dial A Vet. That way, we can take a closer look and advise you more specifically. Take care!
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