Post Operative Instructions in Cats

What should I do when my cat arrives home after its operation?

After arriving home, you should keep your pet warm and comfortable by providing a soft clean bed, ideally in a quiet and draft-free room at approximately 68 -72°F (20 -22°C).

"Unless otherwise instructed, your cat should be given ample fresh water and access to a litter box."

Unless otherwise instructed, your cat should be given ample fresh water and access to a litter box. After a few hours, a small amount of food may be given. If the cat eats this and still appears to be hungry, you may offer another small meal after one to two hours. Keep your cat indoors at least overnight, or longer if instructed. You should restrict your cat's activity, particularly any jumping or strenuous activity that will cause excessive stretching of the wound, especially during the first few days post-operatively.

My cat seems very sleepy. Is this normal?

Your cat was given a general anesthetic or a sedative. These drugs can take a number of hours to wear off and may cause some patients to appear drowsy for a day or so. Over the next day or two, your cat's behavior should return to normal. However, if you are at all concerned, do not hesitate to contact the hospital.

Why has my cat's foreleg been shaved?

This is usually where the anesthetic or sedative was administered. Additionally, many cats receive fluids through an intravenous catheter and the hair must be removed to allow the area to be disinfected properly before inserting the catheter. Sometimes this area will be bandaged; if so, you can remove the bandage tomorrow unless otherwise instructed.

My cat has developed a slight cough since the operation. Should I be concerned?

Your cat may have had a tube placed in the trachea (windpipe) during anesthesia. This can occasionally cause mild irritation and a slight cough. The cough will diminish over the next few days; however, should it persist or worsen, contact the hospital.

What should I do if my cat is licking its wound or chewing the stitches?

Your cat instinctively may try to clean the operation site by licking. If this becomes excessive, there is a danger of the stitches being pulled out or of infection being introduced into the wound. If you have been given an Elizabethan-type protective collar to prevent the cat chewing, please ensure it is used. If not, contact the hospital and ask for an E-collar.

"It only takes a few seconds of chewing for a cat to undo its stitches or damage the surgery site."

Not surprisingly, many cats find these collars strange at first and will attempt to remove them. However, after a short period most pets will settle down and tolerate wearing the collar. It is better to keep the collar on all the time, rather than to take it on and off. It only takes a few seconds of chewing for a cat to undo its stitches or damage the surgery site. If your cat does succeed in removing any of its stitches then please call the hospital as soon as possible.

What should the incision look like, and when should I be concerned?

The incision should normally be clean and the edges should be together; the skin should be a normal or slightly reddish-pink color. In pale-skinned cats, bruising is often seen around the surgical site. This may not appear until a few days after the operation and in some cases can seem excessive in comparison to the size of the incision. This is due to seepage of blood under the skin edges and is normal. In some cases, a small amount of blood may seep intermittently from a fresh incision for up to twenty-four hours, especially if the animal is active.

You should be concerned and should contact the hospital immediately if you see any of the following at the surgical site:

1.  Continuous dripping, seepage or a large quantity of blood.

2.  Intermittent blood seepage that continues for more than twenty-four hours.

3.  Any swellings, excessive redness of the skin, unpleasant smells or discharge.

When do the stitches need removing?

The stitches or sutures that were placed during your cat's surgery will not need to be removed. They are all placed under the skin and will dissolve in 10 - 14 days. You do not need to worry about booking another appointment to get them removed! 

When can my cat resume normal activities?

This will depend upon the type of operation your cat underwent. In the case of a minor procedure involving a small incision, some restriction of exercise should be maintained until a few days after the skin stitches are removed. However, if major operation has been performed or a large incision is present, a longer period of convalescence will be required, which may involve keeping your cat housebound for a number of weeks. Your veterinarian will give you detailed instructions on how long you should restrict your cat's activities following surgery.

If you have been given any medication to give your cat, please READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY and ensure that you administer all medication as instructed. If you are having trouble treating your cat, please contact the hospital for advice.