Worried about my cat

[angi]

Hi,
It is a little bit too late in the UK (where I am) and I thought I will turn to you for some advice on my cat. She has just been spayed and she is not feeling very well.
I took her to the clinic this morning and picked her up at about 6pm. It is now 11:00 and she has not eaten anything nor drunk some water. Because they asked me to starve her since yesterday, it has been 24 hours without any food. She has had some water at the vets they said.
Is this normal? Do I force her to eat / drink?
She had to wear a colar because she bites her stiches which makes her feel very uncomfortable but I tried taken it off and she just won't leave the wound alone.
I would appreciate your advice. Especially because I have to go to work tomorrow and she will be left alone for quite a while.
Many thanks,
Maria

[coaster]

Maria -- this sounds pretty normal. do keep the collar on, she shouldn't be biting at her stitches. to get her to drink, you can mix in a little juice from tinned tuna into the water. but don't leave it out for a long period as bacteria can grow in it. replace with fresh water after she's relieved her thirst. she probably won't be hungry until tomorrow. put out food and water as normal, and if she hasn't eaten by the time you get back from work, try putting a little of the tuna from the tin you opened on it. some pain med might not have been a bad idea, but I know it's too late now where you are.

I'm sure your little kitty will be just fine. just give her some time and lots of TLC (do they say that in the UK? "Tender Loving Care" )

Tim

[angi]

Hi Tim,
Thanks for your advice. I just tried the trick with the tuna flavoured water and she wouldn't have it.
This is a picture of here with the colar and she looks so p****d off and below is a close up of the wound which I find badly done.
Let me know what you think.
http://jio.no-ip.info/m21r/DSC00066.jpg
http://jio.no-ip.info/m21r/DSC00065.jpg

[BoscosMum]

Well......it doesnt look like the straightest stitch-up job.
It does look a little puffy in spots....but it's not overly red.
I am glad you took a pic so you can compare to it.
If it gets more inflamed and red...you will have to check with the vet.

[coaster]

that doesn't look the greatest, but at least it's a pretty small incision. I saw much worse when I was travelling around different shelters looking for a third cat. some shelters have their spaying and neutering done by vet students.

Dawn gave good advice. follow that and you should be OK. but I am concerned about her not drinking. did you try giving her the tuna water with the collar on or off? maybe she doesn't want to eat or drink with the collar on. it's OK to take it off if you're there to watch her and stop her from biting at her stitches. I was just concerned you might leave it off while you were gone. do get her to drink some water soon, and hopefully eat something tomorrow morning before you go for work.

good luck!

[Zalensia]

AI didnt use the collar at all on my guys, they licked the stiches, some did get pulled out, but nothing major.
If she hasnt drunk by tomorrow I would take her back to your vet as drinking is the most important.
Right now she might still feel too groggy from the op to eat or drink, but make sure she drinks something by tomorrow.

[angi]

Hi,
I woke up a little early to see how Angi is doing. She has not touched her food or drunk any water. I gave her some sweet cuddles and took the colar off. I then took her to the kitchen and offered her all sorts to eat from kit bit buisquits to her normal food, tuna, sardines , the lot! She just wouldn't have it.
I managed to give her very little water with a spoon and she then vomited while trying to take the colar off. I am taking her to the vets today just before work.

[coaster]

Angi - at this point, I think that's a good idea, to go to the vet. I hope everything works out OK for your kitty!!

and both of you have a great Christmas!!

Tim

[angi]

Hi,
Thanks a lot for your advice yesterday. I took Angi to the vet's this morning and she gave her antibiotics and a painkiller. When we returned home she went immediately to her bowl of food. She had a good couple of spoons and some water. What a relief. I then asked her dad to stay with her and I went to work. I returned to cover the afternoon nursing shift. She has been very well today and I do keep the colar on because I am worried she might eat the stitches away.
I was gonna go to see some friends tonight but ut has been cancelled. They are coming over my place instead so we can stay with Angi. Hope everything works out well in the end.

Thanks,
Maria

[coaster]

Maria -- that's great!! I'm so happy for you and your little kitty.

Tim