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Lucy | 3 months ago
Post Neutering My Vet Diagnosed A Hernia And Did A Second Surgery. They Found That It …

Post neutering my vet diagnosed a hernia and did a second surgery. They found that it was just a seroma. Now they are saying she has another seroma. She is a ragdoll and has a very saggy stomach and I can’t see a lump this time. I don’t believe it’s a seroma. They have told me to bring her in to have a drained. Is it negligent not to go to this appointment?

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Paula | 4 months ago
Hi Dr. Magnifico, Thank You From The Bottom Of Our Hearts For Your Help With Our …

Hi Dr. Magnifico,

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help with our baby Percy last week. He perked right up after the Subq fluids and is doing well. I wanted to ask you how many times is best to feed him since he is a kitten? Don’t want to overfeed him or underfeed him. Also, since I rescued him from the rescue I volunteer with ( AARF) they will be doing his neutering on 7/30. He will be 3.5 months then. He was born on April 11th 2024. I’m still nervous because he’s so young and little and just want to do the right thing and for it to be safe for him. How young do you neuter boy kittens if I came to you? My kitten that I rescued in 2005 from Defender’s of Animal Rights was already spayed when I got her and she was just a little thing. I know with male kittens you have to wait longer. Thanks so much for your advice.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello!
    I am so happy to hear that Percy is doing well.

    I think that feeding three times a day is fine. I will admit that with my kittens I leave out dry kitten food and offer a half a 3 oz can every 12 hours.

    I also think that neutering at 3.5 months is fine. I have done it many times. If able I prefer to neuter at about 6 months old.. But I understand why the rescues prefer early., You will have to discuss with them,

    Thank you for all you do to help these animals who need us.

    take care
    krista

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Cristina | 2 years ago
My 2 Year Old Female Dog Was Neutered Last Week And The Incision Site Is Looking Concerning. …

My 2 year old female dog was neutered last week and the incision site is looking concerning. The only veterinary clinic close to us is closed today and I am worried about infection or other issues. The dog is an obssesive licker and I don’t know if the wound is healing ok.

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Mahesh | 2 years ago
Hi, My 1 Year Old Lab Was Taken For Neutering. We Were Aware That He Would Be …

Hi,

My 1 year old lab was taken for neutering. We were aware that he would be a crytorchild situation as his 1 testicle was not descended. VET did check for 2nd testicle by his abdomen incision but couldn’t find the other testis for a long time. N now recommending to go for a higher level ultrasound with a surgeon..to confirm if there is another testicle or not in the body. N then do the next procedure accordingly.

1. Is that possible to have just one testicle in Labrador dog?

2. If its hard to find the undecended testicle via ultra sound, can we take plan B – the visible n descended testicle is removed n then blood test is done in 4 -5 months for testosterone hormones in blood if anything changes to be sure if there is another testicle in body?

Youemf valuable inputs are much appreciated

Thanks mahesh

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello?

    I am not a reproductive specialist. But I think your vet can ask their lab services rep about progesterone checks or go get an ultrasound or refer to a surgeon for help. These cases can be frustrating but it is really important to make sure a testicle was not left behind in the abdomen.

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Kimberly | 4 years ago
Our 9 Month Old Boxer Is Scheduled For A Neuter Just Before He Turns 11 Months Old. A …

Our 9 month old boxer is scheduled for a neuter just before he turns 11 months old. A lot of boxer forums have recommended waiting until male boxers hit 18 months so they don’t miss out of their growing hormones. Just wondering if it’s worth the wait. Simba is definitely a more well behaved pup at 9 months than he was at 5 months. Calms down more easily, isn’t as hyper all of the time. Any input would be appreciated!

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  1. Laura

    I’m a fan of waiting. If you can be 100% certain to keep him contained in the event he smells a bitch in heat in the neighborhood, it’s good to let him keep his hormones until fully grown.

    (People who neuter for behavioral reasons are lazy trainers. Marking is a training issue, unmanaged attitude problems are due to lack of engagement, etc.)

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dana | 4 years ago
Hi, I Got My Cat Spayed Two Weeks Back, And She Has Developed A Swelling Behind The Skin Sutures

hi, i got my cat spayed two weeks back, and she has developed this swelling behind her skin sutures one week after the surgery. there’s no discolouration, or tenderness, or drainage of any kind from the sutures. the swelling itself feels firm, and soft tissue-esque. my cat herself doesn’t show any signs of discomfort/pain either. no loss of appetite, no diarrhoea or change in bowel movements, no change in behaviour, no lethargy, etc.
this is my first pet, so i don’t have any experience in the post-op recovery of cats, and what is considered normal or not. also i live in a super remote area, and the vets in my town are more experienced in cattle, so taking her to them was of no help. they think it’s an infection or hernia. i don’t think it’s either because there are literally no signs of infection, the wound is absolutely clean, and it’s not hernia because it’s doesn’t reduce (and if it were at a strangulated/irreducable stage, there are no systemic signs to support that diagnosis).
the hospital where i got her spayed at is in a different city, and i talked to the surgeon who performed the surgery on the phone, and going by the pictures, he thinks it’s probably a seroma. he absolutely shot down the hernia possibility, because he says they put uninterrupted sutures, so the chances of hernia are very rare.
my local vet has put her on a ceftriaxone plus dexamethasone (intramuscular) regimen, for 4 days to see if the swelling improves or not. but i am not super confident about their judgement since they are not experienced in cat physiology, at all. they didn’t even consider it could be a seroma, i had to explain it to them. i just need to know what are the chances of it being something serious, because if it’s only a seroma, or a reaction to the internal sutures getting dissolved, i’d rather not have her uselessly medicated.

so, tl;dr how does a seroma swelling feel like? and how do you differentiate between a swelling due to seroma, or because of the body’s reaction to internal sutures healing?

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  1. Sarah

    Hi there-
    When is her follow up visit to the surgeon? It is very hard to tell from a photo, but her incision looks clean- not infected. Is it warm to the touch at all? Nothing painful? You said no lethargy, etc? If she is acting normal, eating normal etc., then I would just wait until my follow up to discuss directly with the surgeon. Unless there is no follow up at this point? If that is the case and things do not improve, then you may have to take a ride I. To see the surgeon anyway to make sure things are healing properly. Hope things go ok- ????????

    1. dana Post author

      thanks for responding.
      the surgeon didn’t plan any followup visit initially, since i was visiting from out of town. he said the local vet could take out the skin sutures. but when i talked to him yesterday, he said to give the antibiotic/steroid regimen, and wait.
      it’s not warm to touch, and not tender either. she’s eating, and drinking just like she used to.
      if the swelling is a normal reaction to sutures, how long does it take to settle down? is it alright to give her more antibiotics, she was given a 5 days course of co-amoxiclav (156.25 mg, 1.5ml twice bd) post-op? is seroma supposed to be a firm swelling, because the surgeon suggested aspirating the fluid, but the vet that saw her today advised against it because the swelling was firm in consistency. sorry for bombarding you with all these questions.

      1. Sarah

        Sorry- that is tricky. Any meds need to be discussed with the vet… in any case IF it is a seroma, it will hopefully reabsorb on its own. Again, the vet would have to feel it to confirm if it is indeed a seroma or not.

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Kiki | 4 years ago
Hi My Cat Was Neutered On July 21st. He Has Eaten Normally & Pooped Normally But …

Hi my cat was neutered on July 21st. He has eaten normally & pooped normally but for a couple days now I haven’t noticed any urine in his box. I wish I had paid closer attention to it in the beginning to see if this has been a problem since the surgery or only the last couple days. I’m worried he might have some sort of obstruction but reading about the vet procedures we can’t afford thousands to have him unblocked. I hate I got him neutered now because apparently they did something to cause this & now my cat will likely die if I don’t find low cost help in my area. I’m around Pensacola, FL. If you know of any places that can help please let me know! Also if it was something they did to cause this shouldn’t they fix it? Curious how neutering could cause obstruction. Thanks!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Please call the vet who did the neuter right now and have your cat seen. If the vet caused the problem they are responsible for helping you find a treatment option. They are also liable for the damages they may have caused. The vet needs to be notified immediately. Please start there. If they refuse to see you based on financial concerns you can inform them that you are notifying the state veterinary medical board for assistance. All of this is within your rights and abilities. If the cat is critical call the rescues and see if he can be treated there. Or even surrendered to them for care.

    1. Kiki Post author

      Thank you so much for the info. That’s good to know they should be responsible because he has never had this problem so obviously something caused by surgery. Thankfully he did urinate a lot today! He hasn’t shown any signs of distress but I’m still going to contact the vet responsible in am. Thanks for responding!

  2. Sarah

    Hello- you need to contact the surgeon that did this surgery right away. Explain the situation and get your cat back in and seen right away.

    1. Kiki Post author

      Thanks for responding. Thankfully He did urinate a lot today! I would still like him to be seen though so will contact the vet in the am.

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Karin | 5 years ago
Our Houston Vet Confirmed This Dog As Already Neutered. He As A Slight Greenish Discharge Coming …

Our Houston vet confirmed this dog as already neutered. He as a slight greenish discharge coming from his penis. He was seen by his adopted family’s vet who said he has most likely Cryptorchid, that his testicles have failed to descend into his scrotum. This vet recommended a special procedure for neuter.
How could that be missed by the first vet? What do you think is going on with this little fella who only weighs 11 pounds and is 3 years old?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    As with all things it is hard to diagnose via a photo. But. Here are my thoughts.
    1. In almost all cases of preputial discharge it is normal. I don’t go too crazy about it. It is usually a small amount, thick green-yellow and the patient is acting normally.
    2. Although rare, bilateral crytochordism can happen. But typically we have a good history to go by. I start palpating for testes at the first visit and check every subsequent one. I know if they haven’t descended and we go looking for them at age 9-11 months. I will add a blog I have written on it.
    3. I would be very careful based on that photo that these are the bulbourethral glands.

    Please ask for a second opinion before going under anesthesia to remove these.

    Let us know what happens.

    Thank you for rescuing
    Krista

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kathy welsh | 5 years ago
My Niece Had Her Dog Neutered. Is It Normal For Them Not To Give Out Pain …

My niece had Her dog neutered. Is it normal for them not to give out pain meds for that?

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I prescribe them. But not everyone does. This is something to discuss with your vet. Preferably in advance of the neuter.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I should also add that I give an injectable NSAID to each patient in the morning before their surgery. It lasts 24 hours. Not all pets are painful longer than this. I have found. Cats especially bounce back very quickly.

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Kate Stafford | 6 years ago
My 1 Year Old Neutered Male Cat Has Been Singing The Song Of His People…

My 1 year old neutered male cat has been singing the song of his people nightly, starting around 0200. It’s actually more a chirp than a meow, but he doesn’t stop until the sun comes up. He isn’t locked out of the bedroom, food and water needs are met, litter is clean, etc. He doesn’t do this during the day. He seems to keep these shenanigans confined to the hallway or the bedroom. He just walks around chirping with the occasional half meow.

The only thing that seems to stop him is if I kick his brother (littermate and best friend) out of my bed and lock them both out of the bedroom, which makes HIM sad. Choir boy is happy to sleep in our bed any other time of day, with or without human or feline companions, so it’s not like he wants his brother out of the room because he himself is uncomfortable in there.

I should add that there have not been any food, litter, family dynamic, or even furniture changes. Nothing new in his world. What gives?!

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    What an interesting question.
    My first thought is to wear my veterinarian hat. To look for any signs of illness. An exam and blood work (with urine and fecal) are where I start. From there we talk about behavior. Cats are nocturnal critters and many just like to party after dark. Many also get too much slee due to boredom during the day. So I encourage clients to try to mix up the routine and find a mutually acceptable way to get the entertained and tired during the day so they can sleep with us at night. Things like catnip and taking out toys for the daytime (putting them away at night to discourage playing after dark). A really rigorous play session between 8-11 ( or a few hours before bed time) and a late night (right before bedtime) snack can help. In general finding a way to meet all his needs before bed so he will sleep through the night. Also leaving a tv on during the day. Or programming toys to turn on during the day to break up excessively long nap times during the day when you are at work might also help. If all else fails we use crate training at night at the clinic. The cats know it’s bedtime at 8 pm and they are crated all night. It keeps our in clinic motion sensors happy and the clinic quiet at night. This takes time and patience and they are never crates during the day so they get lots of exercise during the day. Hope this helps. Let us know what happens.
    Xox
    Krista