Stitches

Cat still removing stitches, even though they're stainless steel?!?

Okay, I got my cat spayed at the end of June. She tore her first set of stitches about a week-and-a-half into July, so we took her back in. She had gotten infected, but they cleaned her up, restitched her and gave her the cone. Now, 5 months later...the skin incision had managed to open up again. It wasn't the full incision this time, just the skin layer, though. I took her in yesterday and the vets were a bit puzzled but assumed that her body semi-rejected the dissolved sutures along with a couple other possible conditions. They restitched her free of charge this time with stainless steel stitches, (I kid you not!) and I kept her away from the other 2 cats while I was at work. (I work the graveyard shift) I just got home about 15 minutes ago and looked at her, it looks like she managed to remove the upper most stainless stitching....how?! My questions are how would that be possible and what should I do about it? The vet office isn't open yet, but should I take her back in over one stitching or wait to see if maybe she wasn't stitched there? I'm not 100% sure there was one, but it sort of looks like it. Maybe a hole from a previous stitch?

Public Comments

1. Well, they used staples. Sort of unusual, but perhaps they figured she would leave them alone. It is a puzzle after so many months that something should open up. For one thing, the fur should be fully grown over the area. If there is no oozing or discharge, then I would call when the vet office is open for regular hours and see what they suggest.
2. Take her for sure. Don't wait until it gets worse or badly infected.
3. take your cat to the vet as soon as possible...and put the cone back on...