Post Spay Instructions for Cats

Your cat has undergone surgery and is now being discharged for continued care at your home. Your job during the recovery period at home is just as important as the surgical procedure that was performed. As part of your pet's post-operative care, Sylvan Veterinary Hospital recommends you closely adhere  to the following instructions:
 

• Activity Restriction: Your pet needs to have their activity restricted for the following 10-14 days.  Activity restriction includes no running, playing, or jumping.   You may want to consider confining her to one room with her food, water and litter box if you are having trouble keeping her restricted. 

• E-Collar: It is also imperative that they do not lick at their incision for the following 10-14 days.  An elizabethan collar (cone, lamp shade, etc) should be applied to your pet if you find them licking at the incision.  The collar should be worn at all times when they are unsupervised to ensure they are not licking at the incision.  The incision should remain dry, so this also means that your pet should not be bathed during recovery.

• Daily Incision Monitoring: Monitor the incision for any severe redness, discharge, or swelling.  Mild swelling and redness are normal and part of the healing process.  If you notice that your pet is lethargic or inappetant, please call Sylvan Veterinary Hospital immediately. Sutures that are absorbable and  do not need removed can take up to 45 days to fully absorb, if however after 14 days they are starting to bother your pet we can remove them at any time.

• Feeding: Whenever you get home, you should offer your pet ½ of their normal amount of food and a small amount of water. If she does not vomit within 30 minutes, she may have the rest of her normal meal, and dinner again that night. If she does vomit, she may just be a little nauseous from the anesthesia so do not offer any more food or water for another 2-3 hours. By the morning after surgery we expect her to have eaten the equivalent of one meal. You may have to entice her appetite by offering high value foods/treats (i.e. cheese, chicken, or tuna) to encourage her appetite. If 24 hours after bringing your pet home from surgery she is still not eating, please contact our office.  

• Pain Control: Your pet will be sent home with any necessary medications  to help with pain and inflammation post-op. They will likely start the day following the procedure, refer to your patients pill vials for more detailed medication instructions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if any questions or concerns arise. Thank you for entrusting Sylvan Veterinary Hospital with your pet's care.