http://animalcare.my/2012/07/20/complications-after-spaying-noraini-suriya-mohd-arshads/
Dr Lim from the SPCA has responded to this case. Judging from the photos, she explained that the infection could be caused during surgery (such as an immune response to surgical materials) or post-surgery due to the cat licking/biting the wound or lack of hygiene in the environment. In any such case, the owner has the option of bringing the cat back to Klinik Kembiri for follow-up treatment or if Klinik Kembiri is closed, the owner can bring the cat to the SPCA as well.
As for vets who encounter such cases from Klinik Kembiri, the SPCA would also appreciate that vets give them the feedback.
Here’s Dr Lim’s response:
Checked the photographs, and made some observations:
- there is a swelling at spay site. This could be as a result of an immune response to foreign material (such as (i) sutures- purposefully introduced into the body or (ii)infectious agents or vehicles inadvertently introduced) that happened during surgery
- The swelling could also be infection tracking in post-operatively. This can quite frequently as bacteria/ fungi etc are part of nature but can be minimized by cage rest and ensuring a clean environment generally for about five to seven days
- licking can also result in redness and swelling, leading to suture breakdown.
- owners are welcome to seek help at KK or SPCA Shelter when KK is closed. Outside of our opening hours, or for whatever reasons when both KK & Shelter vets are unreachable, other vets’ assistance may be sought
- feedback from outside vets are most welcome, for tracking and improvement, that all parties can have clearer understanding.
Comments
2 responses to “A response from the SPCA on Noraini’s case”
My kitten was recently spayed at KK, and also had similar swelling around the spay site. The wound was sealed and cleaned, and it didn’t give her any discomfort. She was still eating normally and the swelling was not red or warm. I called both KK and checked with my regular vet in my hometown when I returned home over the weekend and they both said its due to the sutures – some cats react badly to the type of sutures used. What my regular vet said was that the sutures that KK used were probably slightly cheaper (bear in mind that KK is a low cost high volume spay clinic) so kitty would be more prone to reaction and that it can take a couple of weeks for the swelling to go down. Advise given to me was to just monitor the wound to make sure it is clean and dry and that kitty is behaving as normal. If it is hot to touch or gives kitty discomfort then bring back to the vet. Hope this helps.
Hi Lisa, this is a response from the SPCA on the suture material used in Klinik Kembiri: KK uses PGA, so there is absolutely no compromise in the suture material used. Sutures are all internal and are absorbed by the body through hydrolysis. The time taken can be up to 60 days. A little swelling is within normality and should subside without any cause for concern. Do keep a closer watch for a duration of about a week.