Caring for Your Cat After Surgery

Your cat had major today surgery, so please review the following to help your pet recuperate.

Your cat may be groggy tonight due to the effects of anesthesia, which can last up to 12 hours.

Make sure your cat has access to a litter box and fresh water.

Resume regular feeding in the morning, but don’t be alarmed if your cat has no appetite until later in the day!

Keep your cat indoors for at least 3 days so that you can monitor recovery and limit activity.

Feral cats may be released in the afternoon the day after surgery if awake and alert.

No bathing! It is best to let your cat clean itself after surgery. If needed, you may use a warm, damp cloth to gently clean the cat, but avoid the incision area.

Some firm swelling around the incision site is fine as long as your cat is eating and acting normally. The swelling may last 3 to 4 weeks.

Let your cat rest in a quiet place away from household activity for the next 24 hours.

Try not to lift or excessively handle your cat for the next 3 to 5 days.

Your cat may have a tablespoon of his/her regular food tonight unless told otherwise by the TEAM staff.

It is okay for a nursing female to nurse her kittens after surgery.

Your cat’s sutures may be visible, but do not need to be removed. They will dissolve.

Don’t worry if other household pets act differently toward your cat right after surgery. He/she may smell “strange” to them after having been on the mobile clinic with other cats, medications, and unfamiliar odors. Don’t worry! This will
pass in a few days.

Please refer to the post-op handout you received at discharge for additional information.

Call 860-399-4530 immediately if you notice:
Discharge or bleeding from the incision.
Excessive swelling or redness of the incision.
“Gaping” of the incision.
Vomiting, or lack of activity or appetite after the first day home.

 

TEAM will not be held liable or responsible for expenses incurred for the treatment of your cat by another veterinarian.