Paizly's spay incision....

[Taz_Zoee]

got slightly infected. But I think I caught it early enough. The vet said it was just on the surface.
This morning when I checked it I could see some clear liquid around it. So as soon as the vet opened I called and made an appointment. Tonight when they were checking it out there was white pus in the incision. And she said it felt swollen. But when she took her in the back to aspirate it she said it was only muscle not swelling. Whew!
So, now I must give her medicine twice a day for 7 days! This is going to be fun. Because the morning dose I must do myself. I will have help in the evening.
She already scratched my neck/upper chest area when I went to put her in her carrier to go to the vet. I hope I do not obtain any further war wounds over the next week.

Any tips on how to medicate a kitten are welcome.
Wish me luck!!

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Mine I just scoot them in between my legs, while I am sitting on my knees, almost kneeling over them, then I lean their head back and then *squirt* the meds.

You could also wrap her in a towel/blanket and then peel back/open her jaws.

GOOD LUCK!

I am glad the infection is not bad, and the meds should clear it up fast!

Please give Paizly a kiss from me, BEFORE the meds are given. I dont want to be to blame for the claw marks on your nose

[sasvermont]

If I cannot put the meds in the food, and have to pill the cat, I usually carry the pills around with me, pill by pill, in my pocket so that when Ms. or Mr. kitty calms down enough to trust me, I gab the kitty, throw a leg hold on them, and shove the pill in.....by using your knees or legs, you have both hands free....

The other thing I did years ago was to cut the sleeve off a really really thick sweatshirt and stuff the little sucker down the sleeve, with head sticking out the hand part....leaving the length of the sleeve to control the legs flailing about....tighten up on the cuff part to hold the furry little head still and with that same hand hold the head still....then jam the pill in. The problem with this process is that you can only do this a couple of times, and then the bolt for parts unknown for days.....

I do better with the pill in the pocket routine....that way the don't associate any one room with the process....

You may want to buy stock in a band aid company.

[catmandu]

THATS ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT, IS WAIT UNTIL PAIZLYS WORN OUT,AND HOPE FOR THE BEST AS GIVING A KITTEN MEDS IS NO PICNIC, THEY WERE SO JET PROPELLED!!
GOOD LUCK, AND WE ARE PRAYNG THAT PAIZLY HEALS UP SOON.

[Taz_Zoee]

Katie, LOL, I will definitely deliver kisses BEFORE the meds.

The way you guys describe sounds easy. But I have one problem. I cannot sit on my knees like that right now. I am having a problem with my right knee. But I will try to figure something out.
Oh, and it's Clavamox in liquid form. She took it okay when the tech did it at the vets tonight. So we shall see how it goes for me in the morning. Another problem is, I go into her room every morning to spend time with her. So there's no way to get her "worn out". She usually has just woken up and is all over me for lovings.

Well, thank you everyone for your posts and suggestions (love the idea of buying stock in band-aids ). And I will post in the morning to let you know how the first dose goes.

[Freckles]

Mine I just scoot them in between my legs, while I am sitting on my knees, almost kneeling over them, then I lean their head back and then *squirt* the meds.

This worked for me, but be sure to cross your ankles so cat can't back out!

[jennielynn1970]

When Finae and Boris were spayed, they each got infections. Finae's was especially bad, and I was really upset with the vet because he was supposed to fix her umbilical hernia but "forgot". Jerk.

With both of them (and they were done years apart), I did warm compresses on their incisions to help with the swelling and it helps get the infection out. I think they both actually liked the feeling of the compresses and they would both be so good and sweet while having it done. It was a nice bonding experience as well.

The only other thing I would use on the wound would be betadine, along with the compress. My vet said something about it healing as well as helping keep it clean. It definitely helped Calloway's tail when he had the abscess. I'd make sure the vet said it was ok to use it on the spay incision first though.

Hope Paizly feels better, and she will get over being mad at you, lol, don't worry! She's needs to have it done for her own well being anyway. Some of my guys are good about being pilled, others are horrible. I just try to make it as uneventful as I can, just get the pill in as quickly as possible, not make a fuss, and give them a treat afterward. Same with nail clippings.... quick and done!

[CathyBogart]

PILL POCKETS!!

I have to pill Sherpa every day, and he comes RUNNING to eat it if it's in a pill pocket! They're a little expensive, but beyond worth it.

Edit: No peroxide! It doesn't kill that much bacteria, and its foaming action can drive bacteria deeper into wounds. Saline or betadine is the best thing to use to keep it clean.

[Taz_Zoee]

Thank you Kim and Jennie!

PILL POCKETS!!

I have to pill Sherpa every day, and he comes RUNNING to eat it if it's in a pill pocket! They're a little expensive, but beyond worth it.

Edit: No peroxide! It doesn't kill that much bacteria, and its foaming action can drive bacteria deeper into wounds. Saline or betadine is the best thing to use to keep it clean.

It's not pills. It's liquid. And that's what I thought about the peroxide. I haven't put anything on it. I will only if it looks not clean, and then I'll ask my vet first.

Well, my day only got worse (work related). So I just want to go home and cuddle with my animals. I've cried three times already today and it's only noon!
Coming on to PT is my only good, stress relieving thing I can manage at this time. Thanks everyone for being awesome!!

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Cathy, my vet said that isnt true. I asked when I had to clean Puffs ear, and she said that that is a common misconception

She always used peroxide to clean wounds, abcesses, etc.

Also, the years I worked as a tech assistant, we ALWAYS used peroxide, because betadine stings, and that will make it unpleasant for the kitty.

It worked for Puff.

I think it is only true of deep open wounds, in which you would have to flush

[Catlady711]

Ohh sorry to hear about Paizley's incision getting infected. Did they prescribe Clavamox or Amoxicillin? Many vets can flavor the meds so they taste better, flavors like tuna, chicken etc. if it's a liquid anyways. If it's pills they can compound them and then flavor- they mash up the tabs and mix with a syrup with flavoring and you give with an eyedropper.

It's not uncommon for a spay incision to feel 'bumpy' or a little bit swelled since there are suture inside as well. Pus or any fluids coming out is infected and can usually be cleaned with peroxide, unless your vet has already prescribed an oinment or other treatment.

Hopefully she will be back to normal in no time.

Don't worry too much about Paizley. When Cami was spayed she kept licking her incision and got an infection too. A round of antibiotics and keeping the area clean and she was good as new.

As far as how to give the meds, I tend to use the same method kt_luvs_kitties does. I just get right down on the floor on my knees too. A treat afterwards and a good brushing or massage helps soothe the ruffled ego. lol

[Taz_Zoee]

Catlady711 (sorry, I can't remember your name...is it Lisa?), I have a question about keeping it clean.
How often do you clean it? And just with peroxide?

Thanks!

[Medusa]

I pill the same way as everyone else has said except that I place said victim, er, uh, rather, patient, on the countertop. That way no stress on my knees.

[Taz_Zoee]

Ok, that was HORRIBLE!! She hates me now! After I finally got it down her throat I sat and cried my eyes out.
I will try another suggested way tomorrow morning, or tonight if I don't have help.
Ugh, this is going to be a LONG week. My poor baby girl.

[Medusa]

Aw, try not to let it get you upset any more. I know it's easy to say but you're really not hurting her. Some of my cats, Yodie for one, are real drama queens and they carry on something fierce. Maybe you can ask your vet for the med in liquid form; that way you can just squirt it down her throat. Some meds are really bitter tasting; I think that's the case w/one of Puddy's meds because usually I have no problem pilling her but w/this one it's a real scene. I'm sorry you're upset but she'll be fine. I think you're probably in worse shape than she is right now.