Congratulations on prioritizing your kitty’s health! Cats, like people, have complex biological systems. We’re here to equip you with essential information for your cat’s comfort and recovery at home. Please read these instructions carefully to monitor your cat’s condition effectively.
GENERAL DISCHARGE INFORMATION
WHAT YOU MAY SEE…
- INCOORDINATION: Your cat may possibly have an unsteady walk or be uncoordinated. Until tomorrow, keep them indoors and off furniture or high places above waist level where they could potentially fall.
- OVER INDULGENCE: Post-procedure, your cat may overeat and drink, leading to potential vomiting. To prevent this, offer only small amounts of food and water on the night of the procedure. You can resume a normal feeding schedule the next day.
- BALD PATCH: Your cat may have a shaved area on one or both front legs if they required an IV catheter.
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- It is normal to see minor bruising at the IV catheter site.
- There may be other areas shaved for reasons specific to their procedure.
- If your cat is sent home with a bandage on their leg, remove it immediately upon arriving home.
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- NO BOWEL MOVEMENTS: Some cats may not have a bowel movement for 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
- DIALATED PUPILS: Pupils may be dilated as a result of stress or medications given during their procedure.
- FLUID ‘HUMP’: After receiving subcutaneous fluids, your cat may develop a fluid ‘hump’ between the shoulder blades, which might shift downward into the chest or forelimb due to gravity. This will naturally be absorbed over the next 24 hours.
CONTACT IF YOU SEE…
- LETHARGY: A decrease in activity for more than one or two days.
- FREQUENT TRIPS TO THE LITTERBOX: Frequenting the litterbox, straining to defecate, or posturing outside of the litterbox.
- ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: Loss of appetite for over two days, refusal to drink water for over one day, weakness, depression, signs of infection, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- BRUISING: Bruise worsening or does not begin resolving within 48 hours.
- ANISOCORIA: Pupils of different sizes
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ADDITIONAL DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Certain procedures require specific recovery instructions and conditions to watch for in your cat.
Continue reading below for more information::
- Dental Cleaning with Extractions
- Neuter
- Spay or Other Abdominal Procedures
- Reintroduction into Multi-Cat Household
DENTAL CLEANING WITH EXTRACTIONS
Additional At-Home Instructions:
- SOFT FOOD: Following the dental procedure, it’s important to feed your cat soft or moist food for 14 days. This allows their mouth to heal without exerting excessive pressure on the surgical site. We recommend using a canned or wet cat food. If your cat is not eating 6-9oz of wet food daily, you can offer dry food softened with warm water. If they still will not eat, it is okay to offer dry food, but this may cause some delay in healing.
- MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION: Liquid medications can be mixed with a small amount of wet food or given directly into the mouth using the provided syringe.
- TRANSITIONING BACK TO REGULAR DRY DIET: After 14 days, you can gradually reintroduce your cat’s regular diet. Mix small amounts of their usual dry kibble or treats with the soft food, gradually increasing the proportion of dry food over several days.
WHAT YOU MAY SEE…
- ZORBIUM TOPICAL:Your cat received this long-acting opiate at the base of the neck to manage pain. Expect dilated pupils and temporary behavior changes like vocalization, restlessness, or agitation. These effects are normal and will resolve within 4 days.
- UNCHARACTERISTIC MOUTH MOVEMENTS: Your cat may display lip smacking or abnormal mouth movements due to the presence of dissolvable sutures in their mouth. This is a normal reaction as they adjust to the new sensation.
- If your cat had an upper canine extracted, they may occasionally display “tucked lips” as they adapt to this change.
- WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS: It is normal to see your cat’s weight fluctuate slightly due to the temporary transition to a wet food diet.
CONTACT IF YOU SEE…
- LOSS OF APPETITE: If over 24 hours.
- If on Meloxicam, stop medication and call our Care Team.
- BEHAVIOR CHANGES: If behavior changes do not begin to diminish after 4 days.
- BLOOD-TINGED SALIVA: Lasting over 24 hours. (It can be normal to see pink or blood-tinged saliva within the first day)
- SIGNS OF PAIN: Excessive pawing, rubbing, or avoidance of touch near the mouth could indicate ongoing discomfort. Cats with unmanaged pain may appear hungry but avoid chewing or run from their food bowl.
- RANCID BREATH: May indicate presence of infection.
- EXCESSIVE WEIGHT LOSS: If your cat has lost more than 8oz within 14 days.
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NEUTER
Additional At-Home Instructions:
- ACTIVITY RESTRICTION:For the next 24 hours, prevent access to high places, steps, climbing and jumping. For the next 3 days, be mindful of your cats activities. If they are showing hyperactivity, it can be helpful to direct that energy into dedicated playtime. If your cat goes outdoors in any capacity, keep them indoors for 7 days.
- MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION: The veterinarian will decide the best medication for recovery in your cat. Liquid or tablet medications can be mixed with a small amount of wet food or given directly into the mouth using the provided syringe or coating the tablet with food.
- GROOMING:No bathing for 14 days after surgery. Continue to monitor incision sites for cleanliness. If litter or other debris is present, it can be cleaned gently with a damp cloth.
WHAT YOU MAY SEE…
- SHAVED AREA: Hair is shaved on and around the incision sites.
- SWELLING: It is possible for the scrotum to be inflamed. The swelling will reduce over time.
- OPEN INCISIONS: This procedure does not use sutures so you may see two small incisions on the scrotum. This process helps with recovery and healing for your cat.
- DISCHARGE: Minimal amounts of discharge from the incision site may be present within the first 24 hours.
- WEIGHT GAIN: Cat’s metabolism changes after sterilization and can cause weight gain. In time, diet may need to be modified to prevent obesity.
CONTACT IF YOU SEE…
- LOSS OF APPETITE: If over 24 hours.
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- If on Meloxicam, stop medication and call our Care Team.
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- SIGNS OF INFECTION: If the incision site becomes warm to the touch, painful, or discharges pus or blood.
- Minor redness and swelling is a normal consequence of surgery and healing.
- PROLONGED SWELLING: If swelling of the scrotum is excessive or persists for over a week without signs of improving.
- SIGNS OF PAIN: Excessive rubbing or licking of the affected area.
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- Some grooming is normal, but DO NOT allow them to lick, chew, rub or pull at the incisions excessively. If they do, we have e-collars available.
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SPAY OR OTHER ABDOMINAL PROCEDURES
Additional At-Home Instructions:
- ACTIVITY RESTRICTION: For the next 3 days, prevent access to high places, steps, climbing and jumping. Be mindful of your cats activities. If they are showing hyperactivity, it can be helpful to direct that energy into dedicated playtime. Avoid rough play with any housemates. If your cat goes outdoors in any capacity, keep them indoors for 14 days.
- MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION: The veterinarian will decide the best medication for recovery in your cat. Liquid or tablet medications can be mixed with a small amount of wet food or given directly into the mouth using the provided syringe or coating the tablet with food.
- GROOMING: No bathing for 14 days after surgery. Continue to monitor incision sites for cleanliness. If litter or other debris is present, it can be cleaned gently with a damp cloth.
WHAT YOU MAY SEE…
- ZORBIUM TOPICAL: This long-acting opiate was administered at the base of your cat’s neck to manage pain. You will notice dilated pupils as well as temporary behavior changes. These can include vocalization, restlessness, and/or agitation. This is normal and will resolve on its own within 4 days.
- SHAVED AREA: Abdomen and areas around incision.
- DISCHARGE: Minimal amounts of discharge from the incision site may be present within the first 24 hours.
- SUTURES: You may see sutures depending on the procedure. External sutures need to be removed by our Care Team within 10-14 days.
- WEIGHT GAIN: Cat’s metabolism changes after sterilization and can cause weight gain. In time, diet may need to be modified to prevent obesity.
CONTACT IF YOU SEE…
- LOSS OF APPETITE: If over 24 hours.
- If on Meloxicam, stop medication and call our Care Team.
- BEHAVIOR CHANGES: If behavior changes do not begin to diminish after 4 days.
- SIGNS OF INFECTION: If the incision site becomes warm to the touch, painful, open, or discharges pus or blood.
- Minor redness and swelling is a normal consequence of surgery and healing.
- SIGNS OF PAIN: Abdominal pain can present as reluctance to move or accept handling and/or a hunched stance. Other signs can be excessive rubbing or licking of the affected area.
- Some grooming is normal, but DO NOT allow them to lick, chew, rub or pull at the incisions excessively. If they do, we have e-collars available.
- ABNORMAL ELIMINATIONS: If bowel movements or urination have significant changes, it should be discussed with our Care Team.
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REINTRODUCING CATS TO MULTI-CAT HOUSEHOLDS
Reintroducing your cat to other household cats after a vet visit is typically unnecessary. However, if your cat experiences significant negative interactions with housemates, follow these instructions for a smooth transition back to your multi-cat household:
Additional At-Home Instructions:
Positive reinforcement is crucial while working with your cats. They do not connect negative reinforcement to their actions. Use treats, playtime, or praise to positively engage them, even when addressing negative behavior.
- SEPARATION: Set up a calm and comfortable recovery area in a quiet room, away from other pets, children, and loud noises. Provide soft bedding and blankets to keep your cat warm and comfortable. Using their familiar bedding or an item with your scent can offer reassurance. The length of separation depends on the severity of negative interactions with other cats in the household.
- SWAP SCENTS: Rub a towel, blanket, or cloth on each cat to exchange scents. Place the scented item in each cat’s space to help them become familiar with each other’s scent.
- Tech Tip: If you’ve kept the cats separated for over 24 hours, try switching their confinement spaces to allow scent swapping without visual stimulation of seeing the other cat.
- GROOMING: Combing your cats with the same brush is another way to scent swap while also helping to calm any stressed cats in your household.
- Tech Tip: In severe cases, after combing the multiple cats in your household, you can remove the intermingled fur from the comb and leave small amounts in areas where the cats will smell it.
- SHORT SUPERVISED INTERACTIONS: Gradually increase the duration of supervised interactions while closely monitoring their behavior. Watch for signs of aggression, fear, or tension. If any negative interactions occur, separate the cats and try shorter, more frequent supervised interactions. If negative interactions persist without improvement, switch to a more controlled visual introduction.
- CONTROLLED VISUAL INTRODUCTION: Use a baby gate or crack the door open slightly to allow the cats to see each other without direct contact. Monitor their reactions for signs of aggression or excessive stress. If negative interactions occur, additional separation and scent swapping will be needed before returning to short supervised interactions.
- GRADUAL INTEGRATION: Over several days, increase the cats’ time together gradually, always under supervision. Provide each cat with their own resources (food, water, litter boxes, resting areas) to prevent competition and reduce stress.
- CONTACT OUR CLINIC: If interactions between your cats do not improve, feel free to reach out to our Care Team for more personalized recommendations.
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