Cat Breed Info and Feline Health Care > Cat open wound >

My cat had surgery for a cat bite. Incision/stitches approx 4 inches long (on chest,). Wound was bleeding & oozing for 3-4 days afterward. Vet said it was okay. Skin was not healing together - vet added a couple of staples. Still not healing, vet put cat under and completely re-did the sutures. Two days later at re-check, still not healing. Vet gave me Hyland's Calendula Off. 1x (homeopathic ointment for minor skin irritations) to apply twice a day. By second day, skin turned to butter and the sutures were tearing through the skin and the incision was opening. By third day, suture is completely open. Vet is on vacation this week but told me that if the wound opens up it is not an emergency and to wait until he returns next week. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT NOT TO WORRY! I can't imagine this not being a serious situation. Also, my cat has had diarrhea and we have tried two medications, neither of which worked. The third one we can't even get down his throat, it's so big. He is eating pureed chicken and is lethargic/depressed.

Optional Information:
Age: 4; Male

Already Tried:
Antirobe, Centrine, Goo in a tube for diarrhea (?), Flagy(can't get down throat)

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Though this may not be an emergency I do feel it may be time for a second opinion. Your not satisfied and you are concerned because your boy's health is not improving. Going for a second opinion may only verify that everything the first vet is doing is correct and this in an infection that is slow healing but it will also ease your concern. Your cat isn't feeling well, apparently isn't eating well and should be reevaluated before next week. If this is definitley a result of infection he may also be running a fairly high fever. Medication for pain may be needed to improve pain control and get him eating again. In my opinion the area should be opened up again and debrided until only live healthy tissue remains. It sounds to me that the area that is sutured is becoming necrotic and this is why skin just pulls apart at the sutures. A biopsy of the area should be done at this point to be sure this was all a result of infection and not a cancerous process. A drain should be kept in place until oozing and bleeding is minimal. His medications may need to be reevaluated and antibiotic switched if the infection isn't clearing. 10 days is a long time to not see any improvement. I am also concerned that your cat may have an underlying condition that is delaying his healing which should be evaluated with bloodwork.

Good Luck,

Theresa

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