weird kitten

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koli10
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Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:42 am

Re: weird kitten

Post by koli10 »

Hello Traci. I didn't take Kanga to the vet until yesterday because my vet was away. Finally got her in for her final shots and got her neutered. In fact, I just picked her up from the vet and he said that she is healthy, but it turned out that she was in heat, so he said that the operation was a bit more complicated but she's fine. Now I have her home with a cone in her head, soooo mad at me and I have to check her incision for redding or extreme swelling. Im not too sure though, the difference between a nice clean incision and one that needs attention. The doctor said that I should keep her with the cone for a few days (dunno how many days that means) and if I should only take it out for her to eat. I feel so sorry for her and want her to be with my other cat. However, I don't think that'd be a good idea. Any suggestions on how to deal with this?? :( help really appreciated
koli10
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Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:42 am

Re: weird kitten

Post by koli10 »

One more thing. She's finally asleep, and purrs a bit. But I think she's a bit shaky, and dunno why that is. The vet didn't give any pain killers or anything, so could it be that she's in pain? or maybe that she's cold?? Im just worried
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Traci
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Re: weird kitten

Post by Traci »

Can you describe "shaky"?

Is your house cool or cold? Does she have a warm, soft blanket to curl up on?

The incision area, the skin around it should not be red, swollen, bruised or oozing pus or blood, and it should not be hot to the touch. If any of these occur, get her back to the vet immediately (or an ER vet) so they can determine if an infection occured. If she is anorexic, lethargic or depressed, feverish, etc....get her to the vet immediately.

It's best to restrict her activity for at least 5 days post-op because if she is too energetic, jumps up and down from things, she could stretch her abdomen causing the sutures to open the wound. This could cause bacteria to enter the wound, and would require an emergency vet visit/treatment.

I don't think you have to keep the elizabethan collar on her, but you DO have to watch her carefully and make sure she doesn't lick at, pull at her sutures, because again, that would cause an open wound for bacterial infection. Limit her activity, and try to keep her calm and comfortable. Watch the incision area twice a day for 7 days. If the vet used removable sutures, the sutures will need to be removed by him in 7-10 days.

If after the elizabethan collar is removed and if she starts licking at, or chewing at her abdomen and the sutures, put the collar back on her promptly. Take it off only to eat. In about 4 days or so, she shouldn't have to wear it at all, but keep an eye on the incision site.
..........Traci
koli10
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Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:42 am

Re: weird kitten

Post by koli10 »

hi traci. Thank you for your reply. I think she was just still nervous or cold. The shaking was very subttle and my aunt, who had her dog out of surgery recently said that her dog was also like that the day after the surgery but then went away. I did have her with blankets and was petting her. She seemed to be warm. But she looks ok now, and on her way to recovery. She purrs and plays a bit, and has sparky eyes again!!! :D I guess she'll be ok!
koli10
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Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:42 am

Re: weird kitten

Post by koli10 »

hello. How many days can a cat be w/o pooing?? Eversince kanga's surgery, she only went once the day I picked her up, and then nothing. I did notice that the poo was stone hard tho. :roll: Peeing is ok, and eating and driking are great.
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Traci
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Re: weird kitten

Post by Traci »

She should be producing stool every day, a healthy young kitten, despite a spay, should be producing normally. Do you have any hairball remedy on hand? (like Petromalt or Laxatone, nothing else)....if so, you can give her a 1-inch strip twice a day for a couple days, BUT, if she doesn't produce a stool by tomorrow morning, call back the vet who did the spay and tell her kitten hasn't produced a stool since Wednesday.

What are you feeding her? Can you go out and get some cans of canned Iams Kitten food? Canned might help her pass stool easier than dry food, but again, if she doesn't have a normal stool by tomorrow morning, get her seen right away! (if you call the vet who spayed her, she might come in on emergency and not charge you an emergency fee since she should follow up on her spay/neuter patients)

Is she otherwise feeling ok? Happy, content, playful, wanting to eat etc? (keep in mind, you still need to restrict her activity somewhat, but make sure she is otherwise acting like a normal kitten with good energy)
..........Traci
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beth1954
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Re: weird kitten

Post by beth1954 »

Koli,

There was a stray cat at my home that was in heat and she was very young. Since she was a stray we really don't know how old she was, but I would guess MAYBE 5 months. She was such a beautiful cat, and we couldn't bear the thought of her having kittens, so we had her spayed, shots, tested, etc. and we took her in. She is such a good cat. I guess we've had her in the house close to a year now.

Anyway--my point is that cats can go into heat very young, and I have the cat to prove that!
Beth
koli10
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Re: weird kitten

Post by koli10 »

Thank you for your replies. Actually, she had normal stools after being a bit constipated for maybe 2 days after the surgery. However, she has had bloody stool after. My vet asked me to give him a fecal, which I did. He called and said that the fecal was normal. I still don't understand how can a fecal be normal if it has a noticeable amount of blood in it. Another thing that concerned me today was the fact that I think today the one having blood in the stool was my other cat. Now Im really worried. What if its some sort of virus?? The first time I remember my kitty (kanga) having a bloody stool was a few days before her surgery, but the vet said that if it was a one time thing it shouldn't be of concern. Any suggestions?? Im going to the vet tomorrow!!!
koli10
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Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:42 am

Re: weird kitten

Post by koli10 »

oh!! and yeah, sorry for not answering, both of them are really reaaally happy and playful. Eating normal and everything. :D
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Traci
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Re: weird kitten

Post by Traci »

Again, exactly what are you feeding them, you said it was Hill's, but what type? Is it kitten food or adult food, or what formula etc? They DO need to be on kitten food, and NOT adult food, not until they are at least 8 months of age to a year old. And, are you feeding dry or canned or both?

One or both could have blood in the stool as a result of constipation and poor digestion causing straining and hard stools, this irritates the coloon and tissues surrounding the colon and anus and can be quite painful. Discuss the diet with your vet and ask him to recommend something more appropriate.

The blood in the stools could also be from stress....changes in the environment, kitty's recent spay, vet visit etc or anything else that has changed.

But, only your vet can determine upon an exam.
..........Traci
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