News & Info

Things Which Need to be Considered After a Cat is Sterilized

When a cat is sterilized, it is given a long-acting injection of anesthesia.  Many cats will only be partially recovered from the anesthesia at the time of discharge. Full recovery takes about 24 hours. Here are some recommended procedures to follow 24 hours following discharge.

1.      Keep the cat in the trap until the next morning. This provides protection and security.

2.      The cat may be groggy and needs to sleep overnight.

3.      Don’t disturb the cat by reaching into the trap.  Cats often overreact and may bite.

4.      Do not give food or water in the trap. They can spill the water and may vomit if fed.

5.      Give them food and water the following day, when they are fully awake.

6.      Keep cats in a comfortable area until the next day.  They are susceptible to heat and cold.

7.      Normal behavior that occurs during recovery includes:  deep sleep, head bobbing, wobbly movements, fast breathing and shivering.

8.      Abnormal behavior includes:  excessive bleeding from the surgery or bleeding from the ear tip.   The bleeding should stop by the time of release.

9.      If the cat is not fully awake or is still bleeding call the veterinarian who performed the operation.

10.  If the cat is fully awake the next day, release the cat to its environment.

News & Info