What to do with a cat after spaying surgery? - briefly
After spaying surgery, ensure your cat has a quiet, comfortable place to recover for at least two weeks. Monitor her incision daily for any signs of infection or disruption, and prevent her from jumping or climbing until fully healed.
What to do with a cat after spaying surgery? - in detail
After your cat undergoes spaying surgery, it's crucial to follow specific post-operative care instructions to ensure her smooth recovery and minimize risks of complications. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do with your cat after spaying surgery:
Immediate Post-Operative Care:
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Keep Her Quiet and Restricted: For the first 24-48 hours, confine your cat to a quiet, comfortable area where she can rest undisturbed. This helps prevent her from overexerting herself or reopening the incision site.
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Monitor Incision Site: Check the incision site regularly for any signs of redness, swelling, or discharge. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian immediately.
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Prevent Licking and Biting: Cats are known to lick or bite at their stitches, which can lead to infection or reopening of the wound. Use an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) provided by your vet to prevent this behavior.
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Administer Medications: Follow your veterinarian’s instructions for administering any prescribed pain medications or antibiotics. Ensure you give the correct dosage at the right time.
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Limit Activity: Even after the initial 24-48 hours, keep your cat's activity level low. Gradually increase her exercise over a week to prevent any strain on the healing incision.
Diet and Hydration:
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Feed Light Meals: Offer your cat small, light meals to help ease her back into normal eating habits without overwhelming her digestive system.
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Ensure Proper Hydration: Make sure she drinks enough water to stay hydrated. You can add a little tuna juice or low-sodium chicken broth to her water to encourage drinking.
Follow-Up Care:
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Veterinary Check-ups: Schedule follow-up appointments with your veterinarian as recommended, typically 7-10 days after surgery. This helps monitor the healing process and address any concerns early.
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Suture Removal: If non-dissolvable sutures were used, your vet will remove them during a follow-up visit, usually around 10-14 days post-surgery.
Long-Term Care:
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Gradual Exercise Increase: Gradually reintroduce normal play and exercise routines over the course of a few weeks, ensuring your cat doesn't strain herself.
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Maintain Hygiene: Keep her living area clean to prevent infections. Regularly wash her bedding and litter box.
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Monitor Behavior: Observe for any signs of lethargy, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior that could indicate a complication. If you notice anything concerning, contact your vet promptly.
By closely following these post-operative care guidelines, you can ensure your cat recovers smoothly and safely from her spaying surgery.