Hello--my little Ragdoll, Lily, is almost 8 months old. She was spayed about 10 days ago, and she's developed a golf-ball size lump directly underneath the sutures. She had a smaller size lump when she came home from the vet, and we thought it was simply swelling and it would go down.
Now, 10 days later, it is bigger. When she rolls over onto her back, it sticks very far out and looks exactly like a golf ball under her skin. The vet says this could be fluid and we should use warm compresses three times a day until Monday, and then bring her in.
I'm worried because I've have several cats spayed and I've never seen this occur before. The vet says it's not a life and death situation but I'm worried about some kind of hernia. The lump is very firm--not squishy.
Has anyone run into this before? What do you think?
Thanks so much,
Jill
Jill - I have no idea what this could be, but I wouldn't wait until Monday. It's been growing larger for 10 days, so it's not getting better. I would have her seen soon, even if I had to take her to an emergency/weekend vet clinic. I can't believe her vet has let it go on this long without seeing her.
I agree - to a vet quickly. It sounds to me like it could be an abcess and heaven forbid it burst!! Please get her to be seen very soon (the sooner the better)
This could be a reaction to the internal stiches. That is quite common. Usually it would be about the size of a marble. I would have her examined again.
In the literature I receive when I go for spaying it states the following:
moniter for signs of lethargy, poor appetite. swelling with redness or drainage at the incision site, or any other signs of illness.
Thanks so much to all of you for your quick and kind responses--very much appreciated. The suture is not crusty or red at all, and Lily doesn't seem to be in any pain. She's not licking it and is very active--she's also eating great and her stool is regular and solid. There is just this huge lump (almost the size of a golf ball) under the whole incision area. I talked to the vet and she doesn't seem very concerned...I don't understand it. She suggested that I use warm compresses on the lump three times a day until Monday, and then take her in. So hard to know what to do....
This actually happened to my chihuahua when he got altered. The cause of the lump was improper drainage. It was a quick vet visit of I&D and he was good as gold in no time.
There was no immediate danger but I was worried sick. I hope that Lily fairs well and my thoughts are with you.
Edema at the incision is not uncommon. It can increase over the first days. The concern is an infection rather than edema. It does sound big and sounds late in developing, both of which would make me want to have it checked. See if the vet will take a look if you go in sooner, but it should be safe to wait if things stay the same - or get better. If the compresses take it down, then that is what you would expect over time for edema.
One other thing to add is that firm is good...you don't want it to be squishy. It sounds larger than any I've seen, but I've seen lots of what I call "belly bumps" after a spay. If that's all it is they do take quite awhile to go away, but for your peace of mind I'd have the vet take a look on Monday.
Once again, thank you so much, everyone, for taking the time to answer my post.
I decided to take her in tomorrow since she is showing no sign of infection or illness. I also thought it would be a good idea for the vet who spayed her to handle things. The whole thing is weird--when she's spread out on her back it looks like she swallowed a golf ball. I will let you know what happens....