I live with 3 cats in one room. The female that I just got spayed is still in the carrier because I am afraid to let her roam. She is too weak to really walk. The humane society neglected to tell me what to do afterward, and I was so nervous I forgot to ask. Should I keep her in the cage for the night? And should I give her food and water yet?
2007-03-28 14:19:51 · 12 answers · asked by humblestumble S 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I just brought my cat home 2 hrs and 30 mins ago. She is still very wobbley from surgery. I live with three cats in a room and the other two are freaking out a bit. I forgot to ask the humane society what to do afterward and they neglected to inform me. Should I feed her and water her tonight? Or wait till morning. Furthermore should I keep her in the cage? She can't really walk yet, she tries and falls over. No way she could even try to jump or step up onto anything.
2007-03-28 14:36:02 · update #1
I don't know when the surgery was, but she is gaining strength now. She is moving her head more and she's using her paws more to try to get out of the cage. (usually when I put her in the cage, she tries like crazy to get out.) She seems to just be drowsy right now. She does seem to be feeling more like herself, but she definitely isn't all the way there yet.
2007-03-28 16:06:39 · update #2
You will want to watch her carefully and keep her away from the others as best you can if you think that they will stress her (esp if she is weak...she is probably still affected by the anesthesia/in some discomfort...a spay is a big surgery!). If you can put her in a quiet comfortable place with a litterbox where you can keep an eye on her and she can recover in peace, that would be best. She needs her rest, it's been a big day! If you have just one room and three cats, try to set up an area for her that is a little protected from the others (you can even use the carrier as a bed; leaving the door open so she can use the litterbox if she needs to...). Try to distract the others (and remember, cats are really sensitive and if they are freaked out, they need a little TLC too); special treat, play with them, etc...
I'd advise -not- feeding her tonight. No, no, no. Anesthesia can make animals nauseous and she may just throw up and dehydrate herself. You can offer her a very small sip of water this evening every now and then (just a few laps of water if she wants it), but not too much at once (do NOT just give her as much as she wants...she may gulp down an entire bowl and vomit the whole thing!) for the same reasons. Not only can vomiting dehydrate her, but it will cause her abdomen to feel even more uncomfortable. You can start to feed her like usual tomorrow...her appetite may be a little off; offer her small meals and see how she does. Be sure that she can't lick at her sutures and that the other cats don't either!
She'll be fine :)
If concerned at all, don't hesitate to get in touch with your vet.
An add-on...just read your update. Do you know when the surgery was done (this morning, afternoon...)? It is important to determine if the weakness is due to recovery/anesthesia only or something else. If it was done this morning, she probably shouldn't be THAT wobbly...may want to give a call to the vet!
2007-03-28 14:31:43 · answer #1 · answered by Enij 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She'll eat and drink when she's ready, cats are usually good about that. I would offer her food and water every few hours, or see that she has access to it. Don't be surprised if she sleeps and/or seems lethargic for a few days. If it's been over 24 hours and she still hasn't eaten, then I'd call the vet.
As far as keeping her in the crate... if she's a social cat and likes her human(s), I'd say let her out so she can be with you. She's already been through enough trauma and doesn't need the added stress of being alone in the cage.
There are the other cats to consider, they might try to play rough and rip her stitches or something. I brought a cat home from being spayed once and my other cat knew to leave her alone, but it depends on the cats. You know their personalities best. :-)
2007-03-28 22:12:42 · answer #2 · answered by Ayame 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually the vet will give you that information when you get your cat. If I remember correctly, It's one light meal and small amounts of water, about 6 hours after surgery. Then the day after back to regular feedings. None of my cats were hungry or thirsty the first night. I offered limited food and water. They just lay around thinking I must be crazy. They were not in the mood to eat or drink. You can let her out of the cage. She will not be in the mood to do much, but may want her favorite blanky.
2007-03-28 21:27:15 · answer #3 · answered by bonnie g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give her a small amount of food and water tonight. Resume normal feeding tomorrow.
Monitor for any general sign of difficulty such as lack of appetite, vomitting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, or extreme lethargy the day following surgery.
Monitor the incision site for any signs of redness, swelling, bleeding, or discharge.
Monitor for excessive licking of the incision site.
Watch for post operative pain (excessive vocalization, aggression, lethargy, poor appetite, restlessness). Call the vet if any of the above symptoms occur.
Try to restrict activity for 7 days to prevent rupture of the incision. Keep cat indooors.
Do not bathe or allow the incision site to get wet for 10 days after surgery.
If there non-absorbable sutures they need to be removed in 10 days. (you may need to call the vet's office to find out what kind your cat has)
My comment:
Your other cats will probably smell your spayed cat and hiss because of the strange smell she has.
More than likely your cat will sleep for quite awhile the first night. That's OK. I wouldn't keep her in a cage unless it was large (enough for a litter box) and you can't keep the other cats from harassing her (but that doesn't usually happen after the initial sniffing session). She will probably just go to her regular sleeping spot and sleep it off.
Remember, she has fasted and will be starving. Don't let her have more than a little bit of food or she will be throwing up all over because of the anesthesia.
They will naturally lick, but watch for her trying to tug out the stitches.
It's OK to call the place where you got her fixed if you have questions. They are used to it.
2007-03-28 21:59:19 · answer #4 · answered by Mama_Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Completely understandable!! I just got our cat spayed as well. Feed her small meals and let her have as much water as she wants. Keep the meals small for 24 hours or she may vomit.
I have never successfully kept a cat in a cage overnight. THey get more upset staying than not usually. However, make her a little bed and encourage her to stay in it. Cats aren't too dumb. If it hurts, they don't do it. You mostly want to keep her from jumping on and off heights like the counter.
2007-03-28 21:28:31 · answer #5 · answered by CarbonDated 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would let her out of the cage. She needs to be able to use a litter box. Put her in a small bathroom with a litter box. As for water, she can have a small amount the day of surgery but no food. She can have regular food and water the day after surgery. Also contact your vet about suture removal about 14 days after surgery
2007-03-28 21:27:09 · answer #6 · answered by leftygirl_75 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have 2 other cats, and your newly spayed cat is comfortable in the crate I would leave her. Will keep her settled and safe from the other two at least sniffing and bugging her.
You can give her little bits of food and water, but don't over do it. Give her a little, and if sh eats it up and is doing good,, give her a little more. SHe hasn't eaten since the night before surgery so you don't want to stuff her poor little guts.
2007-03-28 21:27:06 · answer #7 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How long ago was she anesthetized? She should not have food/water until fully recovered from the anesthesia. Let her out of the carrier and observe her. If she is unsteady, sleepy, let her recover then feed/water as she likes. It is also generally recommended to use an alternate to clay cat litter (if that's what you use) such as shredded newspaper, yesterday's news. Keep her warm and comfortable as anesthesia can lower her body temp. Good luck!
2007-03-28 21:31:13 · answer #8 · answered by Daphne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She can have water whenever she is ready, no food for 24 hours, keep her in a dark place overnight and let her join the household as she feels fit, which shouldn't more then 2-3 days.
2007-03-28 21:28:13 · answer #9 · answered by Robin B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you call your local 24 hour vet. They should be able to advise you on whether you should be feeding your cat, etc. The cat shouldn't be that weak at this point. She may need medical attention.
2007-03-28 21:25:03 · answer #10 · answered by Jebgee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋