What to do in case of inflammation or lump appearance after surgery or neutering
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What to do in case of inflammation or lump appearance after surgery or neutering

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  What to do in case of inflammation or the appearance of a lump after surgery or neutering. Today we are going to talk about a problem that can occur in surgeries, mainly in animal castration. 

 

This problem can happen in any surgical procedure, from the simplest to the most complex, such as gastric torsion, splenectomy and mastectomy.

 

I'm going to divide our subject into three topics: first, explain what inflammation is and the lump that can appear in the region of the surgery stitches; second, talk about the causes of this problem; and third, what to do when it happens.

 

 

1: We usually discover this problem by chance. After having the surgery, the veterinarian prescribes post-operative care, including the administration of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and cleaning of the surgical wound. 

 

During cleaning, we may notice a redder region than normal or a greater increase in volume in a region. 

 

We must look at all the points of the animal to see if they are uniform. If the increase in volume is present at just one point, we can continue to watch. 

But if the inflammation is generalized and there is a significant increase in volume, we should be concerned.

 

2: This inflammation is an irritation of a part of the region of the stitches, which turns red and may have a lump or an increase in volume in that region.

 

 When we talk about a lump, it is often not a lump itself, but an increase in volume close to the points.

 

3: The causes of this problem can be diverse, such as granuloma or foreign body reaction, which is a reaction to the suture threads used in surgery. When we castrate an animal, we use two types of stitches: the internal and the external. 

 

The inner stitch is made entirely on the animal's body and is invisible, while the outer stitch is visible. We use points that the body absorbs and points that the body does not absorb. 

 

Post castration hernia in cats 

 
4: A hernia is an abnormal protrusion of tissues through an opening or weakness in a layer of muscle or connective tissue. In female cats, hernias can occur after neutering, although this is relatively rare.
 
 
Castration in cats is a common and generally safe surgical procedure that involves removal of the ovaries and uterus. However, as with any surgery, there is always a small risk of complications, including the possibility of a postoperative hernia.
 
 
A post-castration hernia can occur if a weakness or opening in the abdominal wall is not completely closed during surgery. This can allow internal tissues, such as fat or intestines, to protrude through the opening and form a hernia.
 
 
Signs of a post-neuter hernia in cats can include abdominal swelling, pain, vomiting, loss of appetite and lethargy. If you suspect your cat may have a hernia, it's important to take her to a veterinarian immediately for evaluation and treatment.
 
 
Treatment for a post-neuter hernia in cats usually involves surgery to repair the opening in the abdominal wall. Depending on the size and location of the hernia, the veterinarian may opt for a suturing technique or use a surgical mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall.
 
To avoid the formation of hernias in cats after castration, it is essential to use surgical clothing and absolute rest. 

 

This last one is the case of the example I brought here, which is a rubberized suture thread, which the body does not absorb.

 

Other causes could be infection in the area of the stitches or chronic inflammation. If the animal licks or scratches the stitches region, inflammation may also occur.
 
So what to do when this happens? The veterinarian should be consulted and will assess the situation. In some cases, it is necessary to make a puncture to remove the liquid from the inflammation. 
 
In other cases, it is necessary to remove the stitches to treat the inflammation.
 
It is important to remember that each case is unique and that prevention is always the best medicine. Follow the veterinarian's instructions during the postoperative period and observe the stitches region carefully. 
 
If you notice any changes, contact your veterinarian immediately.”