GENERAL DISCHARGE INFORMATION

Congratulations on taking these big steps to improve your kitty’s health! Cats, like people, are made up of complicated biological systems. We want to provide you with all the necessary information to ensure your cat’s continued comfort and recovery at home.  Please read the following instructions carefully, as it will help with monitoring your cat’s condition.

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: After being in the hospital, they may be inclined to eat and drink excessively, which could result in vomiting.  To avoid this, offer only small amounts of food and water the night of the procedure.  You may resume a normal feeding schedule the following day.
  • BALD PATCH: Your cat may have a shaved area on one or both front legs if they required an IV catheter.
      • 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.
  • 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’: Patients who receive subcutaneous fluids may have a fluid “hump” between their shoulder blades. It may migrate down over the chest or into the forelimb due to gravity. This will continue to 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 have additional instructions as well as specific conditions to look for during your cat’s recovery process.
Continue reading below for more information regarding:

  • Dental Cleaning with Extractions
  • Neuter (Coming Soon)
  • Spay or Other Abdominal Procedures (Coming Soon)
  • Reintroduction into Multi-Cat Household (Coming Soon)

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: 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.
  • UNCHARACTERISTIC MOUTH MOVEMENTS: The dissolvable sutures in your cat’s mouth are a brand new sensation for them, and it’s normal to see lip smacking or abnormal mouth movements as they adjust.
    • If your cat had an upper canine extracted, you may notice occasional “tucked lips” as they learn to manage 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 may indicate ongoing discomfort or pain. Cats with unmanaged pain may show signs of having an appetite but will 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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