Spaying Cats: Can They Get Infection from Licking Wound

Part 1: How to Prevent Cat Wounds from Infection

After a cat has undergone sterilization surgery, it's crucial to restrict its movement. Cats have a tendency to lick their wounds to alleviate pain, and they believe this behavior can also accelerate healing. However, excessive licking can only lead to prolonged healing, bleeding, suppuration, and even tearing of the wound.

After sterilization, both male and female cats are usually fitted with an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from licking their wounds. However, some cats may be highly resistant to this collar. In such cases, pet owners can opt for a pet diaper, which is commonly available at pet stores.

Additionally, it's important to avoid bathing the cat until the wound has fully healed. The living environment should be kept clean and dry, especially the cat's bed, which should be washed and dried in advance to prevent bacterial infections.

Lastly, pet owners should diligently clean the wound and apply medication. Sterilization wounds typically require daily cleaning 12 times, and the first three days should involve administering antibiotic injections to prevent infection.

Part 2: How to Treat Cat Wound Infection

1. If the wound infection is not severe, the first step is to take preventive measures. Then, check the wound area for any dirt and clean it off promptly. Use iodine to disinfect the area, followed by rinsing with saline solution.

2. After cleaning, apply the antibiotic spray prescribed by the veterinarian during the sterilization process, ensuring to use it twice a day. You can also use lysine iodine solution and the petspecific spray "Chuangli De" for hemostasis and wound healing.

3. In severe cases, it's necessary to seek veterinary care for debridement and resuturing. Additionally, administer intramuscular or oral antibiotics to eliminate inflammation and prevent recurrence.

Part 3: Other Important Considerations

After sterilization surgery, the cat may experience the most severe pain on the first night. During the recovery process, a decrease in appetite is a normal occurrence. At this time, pet owners should not force the cat to eat, as this may lead to vomiting. Rest assured that after a few days, the cat's pain will subside, and it will naturally start eating again.

Male cats typically have simpler sterilization surgeries with smaller incisions, allowing the wound to heal in about 7 days and fully recover within 15 days. Female cats may take a bit longer, but all cats have strong selfhealing abilities. Those with good constitutions can start eating and playing normally as early as the third day after surgery.

Some cats may experience anxiety, tension, and other negative emotions after surgery, which is normal. Sensitive cats may feel that they have been injured, leading to some resentment towards their owners. Pet owners can alleviate the cat's emotions by increasing nutrition, petting, and engaging in interactive activities to distract the cat.

For more information on the preand poststerilization care for cats, refer to "Cat Sterilization Education."