At Albuquerque Cat Clinic, we believe that surgery does not have to be a traumatic event. We take every step possible to ensure your cat is comfortable during any surgical procedure. Before the surgery takes place we will recommend blood work for cats under age 7, but we require blood work for cat aged 7 or older. This can help us determine any underlying health risks. We will not perform any surgical procedure or use any kind of sedation without first thoroughly examining your cat.
Surgical Process
Every patient undergoing surgery is placed on a machine that monitors his or her heart rate and rhythm, blood oxygen levels, and blood pressure.
All invasive surgical procedures are performed in a surgical suite using autoclave-sterilized instruments and proper sterile technique.
We intubate all cats undergoing anesthesia and use isoflurane gas anesthesia.
In all cats, we place an intravenous catheter and give intra-operative IV fluids. This, along with intubation, allows us to respond quickly in case of a problem. The fluids also help maintain blood pressure during the procedure to protect vital organs.
Pain Management
Pain management is not optional at Albuquerque Cat Clinic. All of our patients undergoing procedures believed to cause discomfort will receive, both at the clinic and at home, adequate medication to control the discomfort. We use a multi-modal pain management approach that assures your pet the most comfortable recovery possible. This includes preemptive pain medication in the anesthetic protocol, pain medication in the IV fluid drip, local anesthetics when appropriate, and easy-to-administer oral medications in the post-operative period.
Before and after Surgeries
Patients scheduled for non-emergency or elective surgery should have food withheld after midnight the night before the procedure. These patients should be dropped off as early as possible on the day of the surgery. Depending on the type of procedure performed, the patient may either be picked up after 3:00 pm the same day or may be required to be hospitalized overnight. Overnight stays after surgery are rare, but on occasion we will require it so we can monitor your cat.
The primary goal of overnight hospitalization is simply confinement to decrease the likelihood of complications and discomfort. There are no staff members at Albuquerque Cat Clinic to monitor these patients after regular business hours. If for any reason you or we are not comfortable with this situation in your particular cat’s case, we will recommend transfer to one of the emergency clinics for observations and continued care until the following morning. Charges incurred at the emergency clinic are the responsibility of the patient’s owner.
Types of Surgery
Spay – Spaying your female cat has many benefits and can help not only your cat, but you as an owner. The procedure will prevent your female cat from becoming pregnant and can help your cat live a healthier life. Spaying can help prevent bacterial infections, reproductive tract diseases and even some forms of cancer. You can prevent many problems by spaying your cat, including the crying and pacing that happen when your cat goes into heat.
Before we performed any surgery on your cat we will discuss the process with you. Spaying involves removing the ovaries and uterus in a surgical procedure and needs to be performed with your cat under anesthesia. Our trained Veterinary Technician staff will monitor your cat the entire time she is under anesthesia.
Neuter – Neutering your male cat has many benefits and can help not only your cat, but you as an owner. Neutering can help reduce behaviors that you might not want in your cat. Male cats who are neutered are less likely to roam, fight, and spray.
Before we performed any surgery on your cat we will discuss the process with you. Neutering involves removing the testicles and is a surgical procedure that requires your cat to be under anesthesia. Our trained Veterinary Technician staff will monitor your cat the entire time he is under anesthesia.