In preparation for their sterilisation tomorrow, I shall have to fast the cat sisters tonight. I wonder if they will be so starved and thirsty that they will cry for food during the night? I noticed that they do most of their eating when we're sleeping, and I can hear the loud kibble-crunching sounds in the still of the night.
Also, what happens after the operation?
MIL who has brought many stray cats for sterilisations said that they will become lethargic and will sleep through the day.
My concerns are:
a) Will it be ok to bring back both cats in one single carrier? Will it be painful for them to be put together in a slightly cramped carrier?
(There is enough space if they're properly spaced out).
b) Will they be able to walk on their own immediately, or jump or climb up onto the bed to rest, or will I have to put them on the bed myself?
(It is not good to put them on the floor as our place does get drafty at night. I can leave the step-stool for them to climb up onto the bed, if that will help).
c) Will they start to eat, drink or use the litter bin soon after the operation, or will they be too tired or weak to be bothered?
d) Do the cats need to have their stitches removed by the vet later?
We've not had a cat recuperating from sterilisation at home before, so I wonder.
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7 comments:
when i neutered my 2 sibling kitties together, this was my experience:
1. i was told to put each in a separate carrier. no need to put in a towel or anythg soft and comfy for them cos u will be told to remove it. u may want to put a label "No TIP EAR" on the carrier if u do not want their ears tipped.
2. when i picked them up the vet's assistants told me to leave them in their carriers all the first night but i didn't have the heart to cos they had had such a bad day already and were meowing to come out. but i shut them in a room and made sure there was nothg for them to jump up on. they initially tried to jump onto their fav chair and cldn't quite make it cos they were so wonky fr the GA. i removed the chair after that.
3. i gave them their fav canned food that evening but they had no appetite. so i left kibbles and water for them overnight and of course gave them access to their litterbox. they were very quiet all night.
4. their stitches didn't need removing - depends on what the vet uses. in fact there was no medication or follow up at all.
overall they recovered very rapidly, were MUCH better by the next afternoon and almost back to normal by the following day. don't worry. everythg will be fine. good luck!
SL
Ooh, thanks a lot, SL.
I have an extra carrier borrowed from MIL, so I'll keep them in separate carriers. Their ears will be tipped as I'm using CWS' scheme.
ps: I must remember to return your book before CNY! I also owe my colleage a book on (of all things!) freestyle swimming freestyle...whahaha!
Regarding the ear tipping. Perhaps use another vet so their ears will not be tipped? They look so gorgeous with untipped ears.
Years ago, I sent XX and BB to Dr Edmund Tan of Serangoon North for spaying. He did a wonderful job. The operating hole was so small you will barely see it. However, not sure if he still does a good job now. Smaaller hole = faster recovery.
What to do:
1. No food after midnight before day of surgery. Water is fine.
2. No water in the morning. Don't worry, they won't starve. :)
3. Usually you can collect them around 3pm after they are placed under observation after their operation. The vet will call you.
4. Once back at home, see if you can confine them to a room or even better, a cage (my cage is big, 1.5m high, 1.2m wide and 1m deep) with litter box and soft towels.
5. Vet will probably tell you no food till 8pm at night and even then, half portion. Wet food is good. You can start feeding full portion the next day.
5. Let them rest and don't allow them to run, play or jump in case the stitches break.
6. They will appear very weak after the operation but don't worry. Their stomach will sink in because the womb has been removed.
6. Most female cats take around 5 days to recover. Xin Xin was jumping around the same night. Yuan Yuan was jumping around once we reached home. But they are bad examples. Bon Bon took 1 week to recover but BB is a princess. Very delicate type.
7. Once they start to eat, drink and poop normally, they are fine so no need to worry. Cats are tough animals.
8. Remember to ask the vet for after operation instructions and also ask whether there is a need to remove stitches.
I only have experience with Mei-Mei who was sterilised at MPE. Being "unsubsidised" she came home with a collar that she promptly pawed off. She has no grogginess hangover and promptly proceeded to the top of the cupboard. The next day she "doctored" herself and took off the skin stitch but the wound was held secure with inner stitches. The sterilised wound is stitches in layers and some vet can perform can very subcuticular stitching with the stitches hidden. This is ideal for community cats. The wound healing is secured by 7th or 10th day. The stitches are usually the dissolvable type.
If you are intent on rehoming the girls,you can ask if the vet will tattoo the ears instead of tipping.
"Play by ear" and manage according to how the cats react upon return.
They are healthy so should be complication-free.
My concerns are:
a) Will it be ok to bring back both cats in one single carrier? Will it be painful for them to be put together in a slightly cramped carrier?
I think it should be ok..but once home, it is better to place them in diffeent carrier just in case.
b) Will they be able to walk on their own immediately, or jump or climb up onto the bed to rest, or will I have to put them on the bed myself?
c) Will they start to eat, drink or use the litter bin soon after the operation, or will they be too tired or weak to be bothered?
Leave them alone on teh first day inside their carrier or cage..feed them glucolin(pure white) or those rice water after ur rice is being half-cooked..just take some water for them)... the first day cannot eat food as they might vomit... the second day, they will be better and can eat more...After their big day, they will be very sleepy, just place them in a quiet place to sleep... the next day, they will be meowing for food..
d) Do the cats need to have their stitches removed by the vet later?
No.. the stiches will disappeared itself... no need to see vet if the wound is dry...
Dear kxbc, vegancat and jennifer
Thanks for your feedback and suggestion. Mary has also given me lots of good tips through the email.
CWS' sterilisation scheme stipulates that all cats must have their ears tipped. I had checked with other clinics that subsidies community cats, but the earliest appointments I could get is 3 wks' later. Sterilisation is a high priority and I want to get it done ASAP. Going to non-subsidised clinics is an option but I would rather save the extra cost to spend on other cats. Another reason for having their ears tipped is that I really won't know what their ultimate fates will turn out to be, unless I want to keep them for life. I hope the clinic can do a nice, gentle ear-tip.
The clinic had specified no food and no water after 10pm...which is about now! I guess I'll try Mary's method by keeping them in the cat room, in two separate carriers and leaving the carriers' doors open. I don't think they like to be locked in the cage. I'll use a towel or blanket to cover the carrier so as to keep them warm. I feel like I'm feeling anxious for them bec they are such young, gentle creatures, especially the graceful Snowy. :p
Once again, many thanks to all for taking the trouble to type out so much text. You're the best! ;)
I can understand your anxiety about the operation. I too was very anxious every time they go for neutering/spaying/tooth extraction procedures. It can be so bad that I am not able to concentrate on whatever I am doing. And I can only feel better when I receive the call from the vet telling me they are doing all right after the operation.
That's why it's very important to have a vet you can completely trust.
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