Cat Surgery

Cat surgery is a vital part of veterinary medicine and something that may protect your pet's health or greatly increase the quality of his life. Surgery is also an expensive and frequently dangerous procedure, and it's important to be fully aware of the methods and types of surgery, as well as how to care for your pet before and after an operation.

Types of Cat Surgery

There are three general types of feline surgery. The first is optional or elective surgery, which connotes procedures that are not entirely necessary to your pet's health, but that may prove beneficial for other reasons. The most common these types of surgery are spaying and neutering procedures. The second type of surgery is mandatory or nonelective, meaning procedures that are necessary for your pet's safety or health. The majority of feline surgical procedures fall into this category, and these may range from minimally invasive to extremely involved. The third and final form of feline surgery is emergency surgery. This term refers to procedures that are immediately vital for your pet's life. These procedures involve transfusions, stomach pumpings and other similar techniques.

Pre-Surgery Care

If your cat is scheduled to have a surgery, prepare the day before by withholding food for 12 hours prior to the beginning of the operation. Leave your pet's water available as normal, but ensure that he doesn't eat his regular meals, any human food or treats during this pre-surgery period. This is important because many surgical procedures and anesthesias induce nausea, vomiting and other indigestion, which can be both painful for your cat and also potentially dangerous for the procedure itself.

Ensure that you have spoken with your veterinarian to determine all of the necessary information about the procedure. Be aware of any medications to be used, the nature of the experiment, typical dangers of the procedure and more. By staying well-informed, you help to prevent confusion or miscommunication that could lead to problems for your cat.

During the Cat Surgery

Virtually all feline surgeries require general anesthetic in order to calm and still your cat. You will likely be asked to wait in the veterinarian's office or to return a few hours later, depending upon the type of surgery and length of the procedure.

Post-Operative Care

One of the most important things to keep in mind if your cat is to have a surgical operation of any kind is the nature of his recuperation following the procedure. Your veterinarian will be able to provide you with a thorough guide on how to clean and dress your pet's wound, how to feed him, which medicines to give him and how often and more. Post-operative care is crucial to your pet's speedy recovery. In most cases, veterinarians will require that cats rest for days or weeks following a surgery. Your pet may also require a limited diet or altered meal schedule as well. In almost all cases, vets recommend medications to ease pain and prevent infection following a surgery.

With proper preparation and the helpful advice of your veterinarian, you can ensure that your cat's surgery and recovery go as smoothly as possible, and that your cat returns to normal health quickly.

 

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