Cat Surgery at The Animal Hospital of Roxbury
What types of surgeries might my cat need during their life?
Cats can sometimes need—hopefully they only get one surgery where they get spayed or neutered—but there are other surgeries that they'll sometimes need. If a cat eats something that it shouldn't, it could have a foreign body exploratory. If they have dental disease, they could need a dental cleaning and potential extractions, and that is another one that all cats will need at some point in their lives. Potential mass removals is another one if they grow lumps or bumps that they shouldn't have. Eye surgeries, or potentially if they get into an accident or get bit by something, sometimes they'll need other surgeries like that.
How do I prepare my cat for surgery?
When we prepare our cats for surgery, we ask that you feed no food or water the night before after 9:00 p.m., and that you arrive promptly for your appointment at around 8:45 a.m.
What should I expect during my cat's surgery?
Each surgery is a little bit different, but most surgeries are done under full anesthesia, and they'll get pain medication while they're there. Most of the procedures involve dropping them off in the morning and picking up that evening or that afternoon, but there are some surgeries where they will need to stay overnight depending on the type of surgery.
How do I choose a veterinarian or surgical specialist for my cat?
You should always talk to your regular veterinarian about the surgery that's needed. If it is a specialized type of surgery, they usually have specialists in mind that they've worked with in the past that they could recommend. If it is a more basic surgery, they may be comfortable doing it at their facility as well. But the key is to find a veterinarian that you're comfortable with.
What are the risks associated with surgery for my cat?
There's always the risk of difficulties with anesthesia. Anytime you do surgeries, there's always that risk. You also have the potential complications of an incision site getting infected, the suture failing or falling out, and typical risks like that. We go over all of those risks with you usually before surgery and after surgery as well.
How is anesthesia used in cat surgery, and is it safe?
Anesthesia in cats typically involves a combination of both injectable and inhaled anesthetics. Most of our cats start with some pain and anxiety medication the night before and again the morning of. This helps them to be more relaxed, but it also means they receive pain medication before surgery starts, which is important. Once they're here, they usually get another injectable medication that makes them sleepy and relaxed. They then get an IV catheter placed in their arm, which is how they receive their actual anesthetic. Once fully asleep, they are intubated and then put on isoflurane or a gas anesthetic to keep them asleep, allowing us to monitor all of their vitals.
What are the common signs of complications after surgery in cats?
Depending on the type of surgery, you should watch their incisions for signs like redness, swelling, discharge, pain, or discomfort at the incision site, and changes in appetite or behavior. These should all be brought to your veterinarian's attention.
How can I care for my cat during the postsurgery recovery period?
We strongly recommend a rest period for usually up to about two weeks after surgery, depending on the type of surgery. We also recommend not letting the cat look at the incision, which sometimes means using an e-collar or a surgical recovery suit, which is very cute.
What should I do if my cat's surgical site looks infected?
Definitely give your veterinarian a call. If it's on a weekend where your veterinarian isn't available, make sure you know where your emergency veterinary clinics are in the area.
How can I manage my cat's pain after surgery?
Most surgeries that are painful are usually sent home with pain medication. The big thing is don't give any over-the-counter or human medication to your cats. If you feel that your cat is in pain, definitely bring it up with your vet.
What dietary changes should I make for my cat after surgery?
Usually, there really isn't much. There's only a few surgeries where you might need to change food, mainly having to do with teeth or oral surgery. Most of the time, it's just a small amount of food that night and then back to normal the next day.
How long will it take for my cat to recover from surgery?
It depends on the type of surgery. Some recoveries are pretty quick, while others can take up to two weeks.
Are there specific postsurgery activities my cat should avoid?
It really depends on the surgery. Big surgeries like spays and neuters, foreign body removals, laparotomies where we're going into the abdomen—those really need to be confined for about two weeks to avoid jumping, roughhousing, and playing. Smaller surgeries like cat neuters or dentals without a lot of extractions typically result in them being back to normal within a couple of days.
How often should my cat have follow-up appointments after surgery?
We usually like to see them back about two weeks after surgery to make sure everything is healing well, and sooner if something seems amiss.
What are the signs that my cat is healing properly after surgery?
Signs of good healing include a little bump underneath the incision site, especially if they've been a bit too active, like kittens. Normal healing can involve a bit of scabbing and even a little discharge.
How can I help my cat cope with anxiety or stress after surgery?
If your cat is nervous and gets stressed out, especially with e-collars and similar items, we can recommend gabapentin, which can help with both pain and anxiety.
What should I do if my cat refuses to eat or drink after surgery?
Definitely call your vet, as it could become a big problem.
Are there any long-term effects or care requirements after my cat’s surgery?
Generally, no.
How do I prepare my home for a cat recovering from surgery?
Usually, you don't have to change too much. Try to find an area where you can confine them to limit their running, roughhousing, and playing, or a place where you can keep them calm and quiet.
When should I contact the vet about concerns after my cat's surgery?
Anytime you see redness, discharge, swelling, warmth, pain, or if your cat is acting abnormal—not wanting to eat or drink, or acting painful—you should definitely bring it up to your veterinarian.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (973) 691-1771, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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