Thoughts on my girl's post-spay scar?

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Xia1808 Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I'm posting here because I have a few questions about my little girl's scar after her spay. She had her op on Friday morning, the 7th. I picked her up at 5:30 pm and had to take her back to the vet the next day because she wasn't eating, but everything was fine (the vet checked the swelling, made sure the stitches were secure, and took her temperature twice just to be safe).

The incision is quite long because the vet also repaired an umbilical hernia at the same time, which is why they went in through the belly rather than the sides. She has to wear a cone, but there's no traditional dressing; instead, they used Aluspray, which has left the whole area looking silver.

She is acting completely normal. She's desperate to play and run around, but we've kept her in one room to prevent that. We let her wander around the house for a bit in the evening under supervision so she doesn't get too hyper. But the day before yesterday, she managed to jump onto a chair, which gave us a massive fright as we were told no jumping at all. It just happened so fast...

I'd really appreciate some advice from anyone with experience in this, as it's the first time I've had a cat spayed. I'm worrying about absolutely everything and don't know what's normal, what's odd, or what warrants a mad dash to the vet. I tend to lean towards that last option every time... I love her so much.

First photo: her scar yesterday. I thought it looked a bit red, so I sent it to my vet. Since she's acting normally and wearing a cone to stop any licking, he said there was nothing unusual and that I shouldn't touch the scar (as if I'd dare...).

Second photo: Taken just now. She knocked over her water bowl, and while she was lying down, I checked to see if she'd got wet. Thankfully she's dry, but the appearance of it caught my eye. Is this normal 4 or 5 days after being spayed? I think it looks even redder and there's a bit of yellow. It doesn't seem to smell bad. So I don't know if it's normal, just okay, or a problem. As the silver spray is gradually fading, maybe the "real" colours of the scar are just shocking me for no reason. I should mention I've already sent another email to the vet with this photo—he must be sick of me by now, but I'd rather be a bit of a nuisance than miss something. I'd love to hear your thoughts while I wait for him to reply.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Thoughts on my girl's post-spay scar?

Xia

Translated from French
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41 answers
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  • M
    Mike64 Icon representing the flag French
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    Brilliant stuff... and yes, just look at this kitty's sweet little face, it'll be much better and definitely less stressful. Lol.

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    X
    Xia1808 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi again! The vet checked her over and took her temperature. It was 38.8°C—nothing out of the ordinary given the heatwave we’re having at the moment (she’s usually between 38.4 and 39.2 anyway). He said he’d be happy to look at her every day if we wanted, but suggested we should stop checking her wound so often so we don't get too stressed. He clearly saw us just to put our minds at ease, and he didn't even charge us. I think that’s so kind of him, especially as he’s so busy. Thanks for all your lovely replies :) I’ll give you another update later!
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    X
    Xia1808 Icon representing the flag French
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    Yeah, and I really appreciate how involved he is. To be fair, I must be pestering him with all my photos and calls. He’ll probably give me a telling off and say I’m stressing too much! Fingers crossed.

    It’s all a bit daunting when you’ve never had a cat and have zero point of comparison. Plus, with this heat, it’s not exactly easy either.

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    L
    Lenaz Icon representing the flag French
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    It’s always best to have the vet take a look, just so you can be sure. I ended up going back two days after the op myself (mind you, mine had managed to pop a stitch!). Let us know how the appointment goes!
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    X
    Xia1808 Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for your reply, that’s made me feel a bit better. What’s less reassuring though is that the vet wants us to come back in this afternoon after seeing that same photo... I’m really stressed, I just hope everything’s okay!

    Have a lovely day :)

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    L
    Lenaz Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, Mine had a spay and an umbilical hernia repair at the same time too. However, she ended up with two scars: one on her flank for the spay and one on her belly for the hernia. The scar on her side never caused any issues. But the one on her tummy took ages to heal and ended up becoming a bit of a keloid scar (raised, quite wide and a bit lumpy). It doesn't bother the little one at all, though; it's just that you can feel it when you give her a belly rub! Looking at the scar in your photos, it looks nice and clean to me, but I completely understand your concern—I was exactly the same 😌
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    X
    Xia1808 Icon representing the flag French
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    Yeah, I think we're being a bit paranoid at home. But then again, it’s better to be safe than sorry! The vet said a fortnight for the cone, and it should be fully healed in about three weeks. Fingers crossed everything goes okay.

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    M
    Mike64 Icon representing the flag French
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    Have a lovely day too 😉😉
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    M
    Mike64 Icon representing the flag French
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    After checking online, it looks like it takes about 10 to 14 days for things to heal up completely... so I’d say her scar is looking really good.

    As for exercise, you should avoid anything too strenuous, but it’s not the end of the world if she jumps once or twice.

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    X
    Xia1808 Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for your reply, that’s put my mind at ease a bit. I do tend to worry over the slightest thing! Don’t worry, I’ve no intention of taking the cone off before the date the vet gave me.

    Have a lovely day :)

    Translated from French
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