My little girl's going for her op in the morning and I'm very anxious about it, I'm glad she has no idea! I understand that the op removes the ovaries and uterus but I'm not sure about what sort of aftercare she'll need.
Will she need painkillers? How do I stop her playing with her older sister and busting her stitches? Will I need to clean her incision area? How long until she feels better? What can I do to take my mind of it? How will this affect my older cat? What can I expect in general?
I know that the vets will advise me tomorrow but I just can't wait 'til then, I'd appreciate any help or advice. Thanks!
2006-11-20 09:47:45 · 14 answers · asked by NikC 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Will she need painkillers? She shouldn't but the vet may give you some drops to give her once home just in case. You can also ask the vet what you can give her. We gave ours a half of a baby tylenol after hers per the vet's instructions.
How do I stop her playing with her older sister and busting her stitches? You want to keep her in a room alone for at least the first 24 hours. This ay she'll stay calm and get some much needed rest to heal up faster.
Will I need to clean her incision area? NO! Usually vets thses days just use skin glue on the outside and dissolving stitches inside so they don't need removed. She'll keep it clean but should you notice something there, just a warm wet rag with NO SOAP will do the trick. Just rub gently and not long. Soap will dry out the skin and cause it to itch which she will dig at and could cause injury.
How long until she feels better? You probably won't even notice much of a change in her after 24 hours. The first day home she might be tired and may be leary of eating due to the anesthesia but that isn't always the case.
What can I do to take my mind of it? Just remind yourself that you are doing what is best for your baby girl! She will be much happier spayed and she won't even remember any of it.
How will this affect my older cat? She might act wierd around her because she will smell like the vet's office, medicine, aesthesia, and other animals at the vet. It will wear off as soon as she realizes that it's still her. And it's nothing against her, it's simply the smells. Cats are very smart and she will most likely pick up on her "injury" so this might go on until she is healed and your older cat knows that. Just give them space and don't force it.
What can I expect in general? A much happier cat in the end! Her belly will be shaved so she might seem shy for a bit until the hair is back. Cat have a lot of pride and anything like that can make them feel self-conscious. Just don't rub her belly or keep looking at it very often because that will draw attention to it. Just treat her normal, just more gentle.
Good luck and I hope I helped!!
2006-11-20 09:57:12 · answer #1 · answered by MasLoozinIt76 6 · 13⤊ 1⤋
I fully understand your anxiety, I had two of my cats spayed and I was truly acting paranoiac, but they are my babies! Will you pet stay overnight? I got mine spayed in Italy and they did not keep them overnight and when I picked them up they were so groggy they were falling everywhere and acted like they were drunk, Hopefully when you will pick her up she will be completely out of the anesthetic.She may have some pain and refuse food for a day or two. You can entice her by hand feeding her with soft food. Microwaving it for about 8 seconds will also send a great aroma, that will entice her even more. I never had painkillers prescribed but you will have to keep a watchful eye on the suture area, especially the first days. You may need to help her jump up a chair or on the sofa for the first days. Usually you will see an improvement the first two-three days. Try to restrict her activity and if she chews the area ask your vet for something. Sometimes they can tell you to use special bad tasting products that keep the pet from licking, biting the area. But ask first hand!
Prepare your questions tomorrow at discharge because as I always do, I will leave the hospital with a bunch of unanswered questions. She will be fine, as this is a very routine procedure done daily at every vet clinic. Good luck and best wishes!
2006-11-20 10:01:54 · answer #2 · answered by silver wings 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have lots of experience in this area. I have 8 females, 7 of which have been spayed (one is only 8 weeks old). She will be a little lazy the first day. The vet will tell you that she shouldn't lick her wound, but cats have something in their saliva that helps them heal in the wild. As long as she doesn't lick too long (more than a minute or two) and she isn't pulling at the stitches she should be ok. She shouldn't jump too high up for the first couple of days. If any of her favorite toys or spots are too high, move them down to the floor for a couple of days. Otherwise, just check her belly in the morning and the evening to make sure no stitches have come out, no puss, no swelling or bleeding and all will be well. Take her immediately to the vet if any of that happens. Good luck!
2006-11-20 10:04:45 · answer #3 · answered by crazy_cat_lady_79 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet when bringing her home from the vet (and most good ones will keep their patients overnight just to keep an eye on them and keep them calm) is to seclude her in a small room so she can stay quite and not be bothered by other pets. This will help her heal and rest, as it can be quite tiring to females. You want to keep an eye on the stitches (which will come out in 7-10 days) and as long as they don't seem to be inflamed or oozing, she'll probably keep them as clean as they need to be. To my knowledge, they usually don't offer much of a painpill afterwards unless the animals seems to really be in pain, but usually they are must more drozy from the anethesia than anything else. Not a whole lot of aftercare except some TLC and no rough-housing for a few days afterwards, which she most likely won't want to anyways!
2006-11-20 09:54:22 · answer #4 · answered by vala_nyx 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When To Spay A Kitten
2016-10-03 03:54:53 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If possible you should keep her from jumping up too high for a few days. Do not allow her to lick the incision at all, it can get easily infected. Some cats barely look at the incisions others need a buster (cone) collar. You will not have to clean the incision. Most vets use skin sutures that will have to be removed in 10-14 days. There will be three layers of stiches, the two layers under the skin will dissolve on their own. Cats act remarkable normal the day after surgery as if nothing happened, they rarely need other pain meds.
2006-11-20 09:57:16 · answer #6 · answered by Jen 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I felt exactly the same as you when I had to have my two kitties spayed/neutered just under a year ago (I had a girl and a boy). Boys recover quite quickly from the op, but the little girls take a little longer. Usually for the girls, they keep them overnight, however, once you get her home, she will probably just want to be by herself for a while and curl up under the bed or table, etc. Usually, they are back to normal within 2-3 days and cats are very clean, you will not need to clean the area. Also, animals are great at picking up when something isn't right, so I think your older cat will realise something is up and either curl up with her, or give her her space.
Mine did actually pull out one of her stitches, but it was no drama, because the area heals up quite fast. After two weeks I had to take her back to the vet and the assistant took out the stitches, and she was fine. Just by playing, the stitches won' bust, but they will probably advise you to keep her inside for a time afterwards.
Also, have plently of bowls of water around, because after anasthetic, she will be thirsty. Don't feed her ANYTHING after tea tonight and put all food and drink away from her.
Just play with her in the meantime, or snuggle up with her and watch a good comedy movie. She will be fine and if you do have any questions, write them down and ask the vet. I won't wish you luck, because she will be fine. Just take care of yourself :)
2006-11-20 10:04:21 · answer #7 · answered by narba777 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
RE:
Spaying my kitten tomorrow, aftercare tips anyone?
My little girl's going for her op in the morning and I'm very anxious about it, I'm glad she has no idea! I understand that the op removes the ovaries and uterus but I'm not sure about what sort of aftercare she'll need.
Will she need painkillers? How do I stop her playing...
2015-08-04 10:48:14 · answer #8 · answered by Alano 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aftercare:
No painkillers. She wont feel the operation, and as long as her stitches arent tampered with, they shouldnt hurt.
Keep her in a confined room for the first couple days to keep her stitches from coming out, after that she should be fine.
You only need to clean the incision area if it looks dirty, o
therwise if her stiches come out you will need to take her to the vet IMMEDIATELY.
She should be a bit sluggish after anesthetic, usually the doc keeps them overnight as a precaution. She should be feeling better within the next two days.
Your older cat shouldnt be affected, just dont let them roughouse for a few days. She might miss her overnight- it depends on how attached they are.
Hope this helps.
2006-11-20 09:57:06 · answer #9 · answered by Megan S 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My kitten is going in today for a spay. My son just got his kitten done and he said just keep her in a confined area for a few days to heal and keep her toys and items on the floor so she doesn't jump up. check her stitches if she is excessively licking but his kitten didn't do this. In a few days she will be fine and can resume normal activity. My cat and his cat are indoors so if yours is outdoors you may want to keep her in a while to heal up. Your kitty will be fine don't worry.
2014-09-12 03:27:26 · answer #10 · answered by Donnie M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋