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Post-Op Care for Cats

All post-operative patients must be kept indoors for 7 days. Feral cats may stay in a small room (such as a laundry or utility room) for that period. Keep your post-operative cat quiet and give him/her comfort.

Female cats should stay separated from other cats in the household until you are sure they are able to urinate. Pregnant female cats have high precautions for post-op urination. If your cat was pregnant at the time of her spay, please verify that she continues to urinate for several days after surgery.

Check your cat's mucous membrane (gum) color when you arrive home. The mucous membrane color should be a pale pink to red. More importantly, the color must quickly return after applied pressure to the gums (above the canine tooth). Check your cat's color throughout the evening to verify mucous membrane color return.

Offer water immediately after returning home. If your cat is not vomiting, you may offer dry food after 8pm. Resume normal feeding the day after surgery. Generally, a lack of appetite is normal for the first 24 hours post-op. However, your cat must be drinking water. If he/she shows no interest in food or water after 24 hours, contact the clinic. Contact the clinic if your cat continues to vomit water after 12 hours.

Check your cat's incision daily for redness, swelling, discharge or wound gaping. Some redness and swelling is normal. Contact the clinic if it looks excessive to you. Contact the clinic about any discharge or opening of the incision.

Do not clean the incision - you may introduce infection. The incision needs to remain dry. If it becomes dirty, flush the incision with Saline Solution (contact lens saline solution). Do not bathe your cat for at least 7 days.

Some discomfort 24-36 hours post-op is normal. Your cat should continually improve. He/she should feel better every day.

Your female cat has buried sutures, so there is no need for suture removal. Male cats do not require sutures.

Male cats remain virile for 3-4 weeks after surgery. Keep them confined.

If you feel your cat is in need of pain-relieving medication, please contact the clinic before administering any medicines. Some over-the-counter medications can be very dangerous to your cat.