Body temperature of a cat after anesthesia. How long does it take for a cat to recover from anesthesia? Management of natural needs

Increasingly, owners are asking themselves the question: “Should I sterilize a cat?” And this approach is more true than the use of hormonal contraceptives or a complete rejection of the regulation of sexual desire. The fact is that drugs have a negative effect on cat health, can lead to various tumors, etc. And in the second case, there is a threat that the animal will become pregnant several times a year. Sterilized cats walk and do not bring any offspring. The operation once and for all removes all questions and problems.

Preparing for the operation

There is nothing tricky here. The animal must not eat for 12 hours and not drink for 4 hours before surgery. This is due to the fact that the operation is carried out under That's all the preparation. Pets older than 8 months can be sterilized. In this case, there will be no complications. It is optimal to carry out the operation even before the first mating or the first desire. A month before the procedure, it is advisable to get vaccinated to protect the pet from possible complications and infections. When produced required within 1-2 weeks.

Transportation home

How does a cat leave after sterilization? Sometimes animals become too excited, active and restless. They can start jumping and running around the apartment and room. No need to worry - it will pass soon. Moreover, you should not try to catch up with your pet, it is better to leave her alone.

As soon as the cat begins to recover, she tries to remove the collar or blanket. However, you shouldn't let her do that. After a couple of days, she will get used to it, and protective equipment will not cause her any inconvenience.

Cat care at home. Feeding

Appetite returns to the animal within two days after the operation. What to feed a cat after sterilization? Just like before her. Within a few days, the pet will begin to eat in the same volumes as before the operation. If this does not happen on the 5th day, then this is a sign of ill health. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian.

You need to feed little by little, as soon as the pet has a desire to eat. However, if vomiting occurs, then you need to wait a few more hours with food. To avoid problems with the collar, the diameter of the bowl should be smaller. The cup must be placed at a height of 3-6 cm.

Management of natural needs

In the early days, urination becomes less frequent and less in volume. However, with the restoration of appetite, everything should return to normal.

Cats often become constipated after spaying. If the animal does not go to the toilet for more than three days, you need to give him a laxative. In the nearest veterinary pharmacy, you can purchase various preparations based on paraffin oil or other products. After the first chair should improve.

Temperature rise

During the first 5 days after the operation, such phenomena as lethargy, weakness or, conversely, excessive activity are possible. Fluctuations in body temperature can also be observed with an increase in it to 39.5 degrees. This is not due to infection, but to tissue damage and healing. This is a normal reaction of the body. Painkillers will significantly improve the well-being of the pet. However, if the temperature is too high or persists for a week or more, you should consult a doctor.

Use of protective equipment

What to wear on a cat, each owner decides for himself. Regardless of the choice, one condition must be observed: the pet must wear a collar or blanket. It is necessary to ensure that they are clean and, most importantly, intact, since their main purpose is to protect against licking. However, an animal can make them unusable in a few days. The behavior of cats after sterilization is characterized by an increased interest in the seam. In this case, the devices mentioned above will have to be replaced. It is important to protect the seams from the cat's tongue, otherwise they may disperse and become inflamed.

It is necessary to ensure that the blanket and collar sit tight enough so that the animal cannot remove them, but at the same time the cat should be comfortable. The straps and collar are easily adjustable. As a rule, protective equipment can be removed already for 7-10 days. It is better to wear longer, because sometimes the seams seize slowly in cats.

Anesthesia

The most difficult period is immediately after the operation and within two days. These days it is desirable to give painkillers. It can be both injections and tablets (when the swallowing function is restored). However, special feline medicines should be given, not human ones! Painkillers will not only make the life of the pet easier, but will also allow her to feel much better, her appetite will return earlier, the temperature will not rise much. The postoperative syndrome itself will be much less pronounced.

If the behavior of cats after sterilization does not differ from the usual, then this item can be excluded from therapeutic measures. However, in most cases it is required.

Seam healing

Immediately after the operation, a few drops of blood or ichor may come out of the incision. reddened and filled with blood. This is a normal reaction. As a rule, after a couple of days, the swelling subsides, the incision stops getting wet. If the condition of the seam does not improve, then this is an occasion to consult a doctor.

Seam processing

This event becomes mandatory from the second day after the operation. It is carried out every other day, preferably daily, an hour after taking painkillers. The task of this event is to antimicrobial treatment of the seam. To do this, a cotton swab is wetted in chlorhexidine, and all the smallest folds are cleaned with it. Hair and discharge should be removed from the incision. Finally, the wound can be treated with a swab with Levomekol ointment. Usually the course of healing is 10 days. The easiest way to clean the seams is with two people: one person puts the cat on its hind legs, and the second one processes it.

Additional drugs

If the operation was successful, and the animal itself is healthy, then it does not require additional medical treatment. However, the following groups of drugs may be needed:

Antibiotics. As a rule, one injection is given during the operation. This is necessary to prevent infection. They may be needed if the animal licks the seam. But in this case, the recovery process will be delayed for another 2-3 weeks.
Vitamins are given to debilitated cats if they do not feel well in the postoperative period.
Hemostatic agents will be needed for poor blood clotting, if blood constantly oozes from the suture.
Anti-infective serum is useful if the owner decided to leave the pet for the recovery period in

Sterilization of cats. Care after surgery in a veterinary clinic

Many animal hospitals already offer post-surgery hospital services. You can place a cat there both for 1 day and for 10 - until complete recovery. Depending on the wishes and financial situation of the owners. In the veterinary clinic, the animal is guaranteed competent care, but, on the other hand, it will not see the owners, which will not have a very favorable effect on its mood.

pros

This placement has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

if the owner is in a hurry to work or on business, he does not need to spend time transporting the animal to the house and on a set of primary measures;
no need to take a pet somewhere that has not yet recovered from anesthesia;
in the clinic they know exactly what to feed the cat after sterilization;
you don’t have to give injections and give pills on your own or take your pet to the veterinarian for procedures every day;
often animals are aggressive; the owner does not have to experience it for himself;
the responsibility for the operation and the recovery period falls entirely on the shoulders of doctors, experts are well aware of the behavior of cats after sterilization;
in some cases, if the cat has health problems, she needs specialized medical care;
the hospital is especially convenient for sterilization of stray cats.

Minuses

the cat will have double stress: from the operation itself and from a change in living conditions;
not every clinic has really responsible doctors, so it is possible that the pet may be “forgotten” and not carry out the necessary procedures on time. This question needs to be further clarified with the owners of other patients;
a cat can be very offended that the owner abandoned it in a difficult situation;
the possibility of contracting a viral infection is not ruled out;
keeping in a veterinary clinic is quite expensive.

And finally. If a sterilized cat yells, then this is a reason to see a doctor. Complications are not excluded. If this happens in the first weeks after the operation, then this is a simple consequence of the setting of the hormonal background. Does a spayed cat ask for a cat? No. After the operation, there will be no problems with her screams and marks.

How to care for a kitten after surgery?

If a kitten has become your friend and favorite, get ready for non-standard situations directly related to it. It is much easier to buy a Maine Coon kitten in a cattery than to raise and educate. There are different situations when first aid will save the life of a living being. Surgery is a necessary procedure in especially severe cases that are not treated with medication. The operation, depending on the disease and condition of the animal, can be of different types and types, complexity. For the owner of a kitten, the main thing is to understand how to care for a sick animal, to consult a veterinarian.

Please note that an operation in the area of the abdominal cavity or the back of the subsequent rehabilitation requires a horse collar and a special collar. If there are situations when the cat starts to lick wounds. In such cases, another collar is needed. You can make it yourself with improvised means: a piece of an ordinary belt and a plastic bottle. Carefully cut off the belt with a small margin of two to three centimeters, before measuring the circumference of your pet's neck, and cut out the top of the bottle.

It is very important to prepare the patient's location, which will be free of drafts and low to prevent jumping. The best option for this is a floor covered with a blanket. Close hard-to-reach corners and places in your apartment, so that later you don’t catch and pull out from a hard-to-reach corner of the room. It is life-threatening and traumatic.

Consult with the attending veterinarian how best to do it if the clinic has a hospital, leave the kitten for treatment as an adult, or still treat houses and walls. The issue is not simple, but solvable. Be sure to take the contact phone of the attending physician in order to be on the alert at any suitable critical moment. Keep an eye on your cat until the moment of complete withdrawal from anesthesia and the complete adequacy of the cat. there is a chance that you will have to not sleep for one or more nights.

After anesthesia, the body temperature of the animal drops significantly. Make sure the temperature is taken every hour. To do this, choose an electric thermometer, but mercury is also suitable. The most effective way to measure temperature is to insert the tip of the device, lubricated with baby cream, into the animal's body through the anus and hold for several minutes if it is a mercury thermometer, or hold until the electric signal. The normal temperature for a Maine Coon is between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius. A temperature from 37 to 38 is dangerous for a cat's life. Take a heating pad and attach it to the body of the pet, wrap it well in a blanket. Call a doctor right away. Do not use the pills you take for pain yourself.

After returning the operated cat home, it should be put on a warm bedding laid on the floor, and the absence of drafts in the room should be monitored. After anesthesia, the animal should not be placed on a sofa or chair, since its movements at this time will be uncoordinated, as a result of which the cat may fall from a height. There should be no sharp or hot objects on the floor, wires and threads, as well as other things in which she can get entangled.

After anesthesia, the cat should only lie on the right side, since lying on the left side gives an additional load on the heart after surgery.

It is very important to ensure that the cat's eyes do not dry out. After the operation, she will not be able to blink on her own, so you need to instill a special solution under her eyelids and close / open them with your fingers every half hour until the cat starts blinking by itself. She will also have a dry mouth - wetting the tongue with water or carefully pouring droplets of water from a pipette into her mouth will help to cope with this - but very carefully so that the cat does not choke. Inappropriate behavior of the animal is also noted after anesthesia - this occurs due to its disorientation and is normal in most cases. However, if the cat is very ill, you need to urgently call the veterinarian who performed the operation.

Care after anesthesia

During the recovery period from anesthesia, the cat may suffer from involuntary urination or vomiting, so you need to monitor it very closely - if it starts to constantly lick its lips, you need to put a newspaper on it or substitute a bag. Feeding can be started only after 24 hours, while the poor appetite of the animal may persist for several more days. It will be possible to fully water the cat after 3-4 hours.

After sterilization, the cat is put on a special blanket, which she will have to wear for 10-14 days until the stitches are removed.

To process healing seams, you need to regularly remove this blanket from the hind legs and immediately put it back after treatment so that the cat does not lick the seam wounds. In addition, you need to carefully monitor that the animal does not try to jump on a hill, because due to weakness it may not jump and catch on something with a blanket, hanging in it. Naturally, the cat will begin to wriggle, trying to get out, as a result of which the seams will simply disperse.

Tip 2: Neutering the cat. How to care for an operated animal

A cat from which the owners do not plan to have offspring should be spayed. This is much safer and healthier for the animal than constant estrus, and even more so the use of drugs to suppress sexual desire. However, you should be prepared for the fact that caring for a cat after surgery will take a lot of time and effort.

Instruction

Prepare in advance everything you need for care on the first day. Trim the claws of the animal with special scissors with rounded blades. Find a spacious, tall box and insulate it with rags on the inside, and then lay a disposable absorbent diaper on the bottom. You can buy such a diaper in a human pharmacy.

Purchase and be sure to ask your veterinarian to show you exactly how to tie it. In the first 7-10 days, she must walk in this blanket, otherwise there is a high risk that she will scratch or tear the seams, and the wound will open. You will have to regularly process the seams, so the sooner you learn how to fasten these “clothes” to the body of the animal, the better.

After bringing the cat home after, carefully place it in the box. Animals tolerate anesthesia differently: vomiting, involuntary urination, etc. may begin. In addition, the cat will be lethargic, its body temperature will drop. Do not go far from the box: the animal may try to get out. After anesthesia, coordination of movements will be seriously impaired, so the cat may crash into something or fall. Your task is to prevent this.

Carefully monitor the condition of the cat in the first days after the operation. The veterinarian will set a date when you will need to come to the clinic for a re-examination and removal of stitches, and until that day you should give the animal as much attention as possible. 1-2 times a day, remove the blanket and carefully treat the seams with the agent prescribed by the veterinarian (it can be hydrogen peroxide, levomekol, etc.). It is advisable to do this together and very carefully, because even a very affectionate cat can become aggressive, feeling pain.

Try to minimize the risk of your cat jumping somewhere. After the operation, it will be difficult for her to return to normal life in the very first days, and the blanket will interfere. At best, a cat may simply not jump to its favorite cabinet or table. It will be worse if she falls and hits hard. The worst option is if the cat catches on the handles of the cabinet or other protruding parts of the blanket and hangs on it. Try to keep the chance of such troubles to a minimum.

The first hours after anesthesia

Inhalation anesthesia is easier to bear - usually the animal comes to its senses within a few minutes, and after an hour or two it is able to get up and even move around - depending on the severity of the operation. After total intravenous anesthesia, it takes about a day for the pet to fully recover. Some types of intravenous anesthesia, used for simple operations, are short-acting and provide a quick awakening of the animal - within an hour or two.

In the first hours after the operation, the animal needs constant supervision, rest and warmth. If there are other pets or small children in the house, it is better to isolate the patient. You can check if everything is in order with the animal by opening its eyelids and shining a small flashlight into its eye. If the pupil narrows, the process of recovery from anesthesia is normal, if it remains unchanged, the animal should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.

Veterinarians often advise taking the operated animal from the clinic not immediately, but after two to four hours, in order to ensure proper care and observation in the first, most difficult hours after the operation.

Complete recovery from anesthesia

At home, it is best to lay the animal on the floor closer to the heat source, laying something soft - do not arrange it on a sofa or armchair, otherwise, when motor function begins to recover, the pet may fall from a height and be seriously injured. A small animal (ferret, rabbit, cat) can be placed in a spacious box or returned to a familiar cage or house if its relatives are not there. If possible, it is better to use a disposable diaper as a bedding - after anesthesia, involuntary urination, vomiting, salivation can be observed.

The coordination of the animal coming out of anesthesia can be disturbed for a long time - staggering when walking, falling, attempts to crawl or run are often observed. Transfer the fallen animal back to the litter, stroke and calm.

If the condition of the pet causes concern, it is better to play it safe and show it to the doctor. Snoring and sniffling are common on recovery from anesthesia due to the relaxation of the palate and pharynx, but snoring should be distinguished from wheezing, which is the result of inhalation of vomit or respiratory failure. Lethargy, drowsiness may persist for a day or more after surgery.

How to help a pet

Cover your pet - coming out of anesthesia, animals often freeze. You can massage his paws if they are cold. If your pet's eyes and mouth are open, in order to avoid drying out of the mucous membranes, the tongue should be moistened with damp cotton, sterile saline can be dropped into the eyes from a pipette.

You can water the animal 4-6 hours after waking up. If your pet can't drink on its own, try using a syringe without a needle. It is allowed to feed not earlier than after 10-12 hours, it is better if the pet goes hungry for a day - this will not harm his health.

Castration is a simple operation, but after any surgical intervention, the necessary care is required to quickly restore the pet to its previous state. How quickly the pet will recover from the consequences of this procedure depends entirely on the owner of the animal, on the correct care of it.

Castration takes place under general anesthesia. In the first hour after the operation, the animal should be in the clinic, as this will make sure that it is well moving away from anesthesia. There are cases of complications from anesthesia in the form of respiratory arrest. Therefore, the first postoperative hour spent in the clinic is very important.

Tip: you need to take the phone number of the veterinarian who performed the operation, so that in unforeseen cases you can get qualified advice.

Cat care in the first postoperative hours

After the operation, the cat will be very weak for the first three hours. He will experience dizziness, nausea, thirst, muscle weakness. This is a normal condition, which should not disturb the owner, so the pet is moving away from anesthesia.

The owner may be offered to leave the pet on the first day in the clinic, under the supervision of a doctor, but he will be there in a stressful state. Therefore, it is better to take him home so that the cat feels the care and participation of the owner.

In the postoperative period, the cat is observed:

Dry eyes. During the application of anesthesia, the eyes of cats do not close, they remain open. During the operation, the veterinarian closes the eyelids of the animal from time to time so that the conjunctiva is wetted with tears. If the cat has not yet recovered from anesthesia, then the owner will have to do this.
In order to properly care for your pet's eyes, you need to buy tetracycline eye ointment or antiseptic drops. After the pet has come out of anesthesia, you do not need to close your eyes, it will do it on its own. There are times when the animal lies with its eyes open for a long time, then it is necessary to drip saline into the eyes. This will keep them dry.
Low body temperature. Normal cat temperature is 37.5 - 39.0 degrees Celsius. In the postoperative period, the temperature can drop to 36.5 - 37.0 degrees. The cat should be put on a warm bed and covered with a warm blanket. In extreme cases, the cat can be heated with a heating pad. To normalize blood circulation, he needs to rub his ears and paws.
Wobbling gait. This is due to the relaxation of the muscles during the application of anesthesia. Usually during this period the cat walks with a staggering gait. On the first day, it is better to keep an eye on the pet so that it does not climb to any height, otherwise it may not hold on and fall.
At first, the cat needs painkillers. If the pet is silent, this does not mean that he does not feel pain. Most animals tolerate pain silently. They completely refuse food, are in a motionless position. Their pupils are usually dilated and focused. The gaze is directed to one point.

Wound treatment

The groin area should be examined daily and checked for bleeding. Also:

To better heal the seams, they are treated twice a day with hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green.
You can lubricate the suture place with Levomekol ointment.
During the rehabilitation period, you need to wear a collar on the cat, which will prevent the animal from licking the wound. Licking the wound can lead to suture separation and, consequently, infection. During care, it is removed only during the feeding period.

The rehabilitation period is easier in winter. If the operation was performed in the summer, then a five-day course of antibiotic therapy may be necessary. It is better to be safe than to treat the resulting infection later.

Cat toilet after castration

When an animal goes to the toilet, you need to be extremely careful. At this time, there should be either light or white filler in the tray. This is necessary in order to notice the first droplets of blood. For care during this period, it is better to take a soft absorbent, this will help to avoid irritation. Some owners have adapted after castration to put on a pet a small diaper, in which they previously made a hole for the tail.

It often happens that a pet does not go to the toilet for a long time, either in a small way or in a big way. This worries the owner. In this case, you can drink it with vaseline oil. This will help him with the toilet. Urine can depart in small portions, literally drop by drop. At first, this is normal. A month after the castration, his urine will not have such a strong odor as before.

Animal feed

In the first postoperative hours, the pet will have a reduced appetite, it is not necessary to force feed the cat. It's okay if the pet does not eat on the first day. The necessary care lies in the availability of water. It must be in sufficient quantity.

After castration, the animal has a change of interests, from cats, he switches to food. The cat always wants to eat. It's not worth it to indulge him. It must be remembered that a castrated cat has a risk of urolithiasis. Components such as phosphorus, magnesium and calcium can lead to this disease. When caring for a cat, in order to avoid this ailment, you need to completely exclude fish, as it is rich in these elements.

Veterinarians recommend after castration to feed the animal with dry food, which acidifies urine, and is the prevention of urolithiasis. A pet who eats dry food must drink more fluids, otherwise it will be difficult for him to go to the toilet. One part dry food should be three parts water. If he rarely goes to the toilet in a small way, then you should contact the veterinarian, he will prescribe diuretics.

A neutered pet is constantly begging for food, but this does not mean at all that he is hungry. You should not follow his lead, otherwise obesity may develop.

Complications

If during the care of the cat the following symptoms were found, then an immediate appeal to the veterinarian is required:

Violation of the heartbeat.
Respiratory disorders. The appearance of wheezing during breathing.
Swelling of the tongue or eyelids.
Excessive pallor or brightness of the mucous membranes.

One of the important factors is to provide the pet with complete peace, silence, isolation from other animals during care. Carefully take care of the wound and the toilet, and then he will quickly recover and will delight you with an attractive and healthy appearance.

Update: April 2019

The operation of sterilization (castration) is only half the battle (see c). The most important period is the postoperative period, which falls on the shoulders of the owner of the cat. The veterinarian who performed the operation must instruct about all the intricacies of caring for the animal after anesthesia, tell and show how to process the stitches and what to look for in emergency situations.

The stomach after sterilization should be protected by a special blanket (bandage) with ties on the back. The protective bandage is worn all the time until the stitches are removed and plus another day or two so that the cat does not lick the small wounds from the threads.

A blanket for a cat is usually made of cotton natural fabric and does not cause physical discomfort to the animal after the operation. But due to the peculiarities of tactile sensitivity, a cat may be lazy to walk in it or have a strange gait. When the bandage is removed, everything falls into place.

You need to be careful that the cat does not cling to the blanket and does not get stuck anywhere.

Eyes

If the owners of the cat after the operation are transferred in a state of anesthesia, then the process of blinking for the pet lies with them. Anesthetized cats often have their eyes open. In order not to dry out the cornea, you need to periodically cover your eyes (blink) or drip artificial tears or saline 0.9% on their surface.

General condition of the house

Upon arrival home, the cat should be put in heat (for example, on a warm heating pad) and on a soft bed, because. after anesthesia, the process of thermoregulation is disturbed. Be sure to lay on the floor so that in the process of awakening the animal does not fall from a height. It is necessary to lay a well-absorbent diaper, because. until recovery from anesthesia, the cat cannot control the physiological needs to empty the bladder and rectum. There may be tremors throughout the body (general tremor) or vomiting.

You need to lay the cat on its right side to reduce the load on the heart.

At first, the cat should not be actively played, jumping, climbing on pieces of furniture. If sterilization was carried out after childbirth, and kittens remained in the house, it is necessary to limit their communication for the first time. 2-3 month old kittens can suckle a cat for a long time, and this is fraught with traumatism of the postoperative wound. Sterilization of a nursing cat is carried out according to emergency indications, because. possible postoperative complications in the mammary gland.

On the first day after the operation, the cat must definitely go to the toilet - it is important not to miss the stagnation in urination and bowel movements after anesthesia.
The first two days, you may need anesthesia. Pain is indicated by increased aggressiveness, apathy, meowing, refusal of food, dilated pupils and unwillingness to move.
Antibiotic therapy is not required if the operation is planned and carried out taking into account the rules of asepsis and antisepsis.
Vitamin preparations and restorative agents are prescribed only for old and weak cats who have had a hard time undergoing surgery.
In case of urgent need (the suture is bleeding or internal bleeding has been detected), hemostatic therapy may be prescribed.

Getting out of anesthesia

Three types of anesthesia are commonly used. After each type of anesthesia, the cat comes to life differently.

Muscle relaxants + analgesics. The most effective mixture used most often. The main disadvantage is the heavy withdrawal from such anesthesia: from 5-6 hours to a day.
Muscle relaxant + epidural anesthesia. The mixture is slightly toxic, the cat easily tolerates and quickly recovers from such anesthesia (up to 8 hours maximum). But there is a high probability of complications if the injection into the epidural space is incorrect - full sensitivity and motor activity in the hind limbs can return up to 2 days. When carrying out such anesthesia, the qualifications and experience of the surgeon are very important.
Gas (inhalation) anesthesia. A very effective and minimally toxic method, but rarely used due to the lack of special equipment and mixtures of substances for anesthesia. The cat comes to life almost immediately, as soon as the anesthesia machine is turned off.

Moving away from anesthesia, the cat will be out of sorts for some time, coordination will be impaired, and the cat's behavior after sterilization may seem inadequate. There are attempts to get up, to run somewhere, perhaps meowing, a clear lack of understanding of what is happening around. It is important not to let the animal hide in a far dark corner so that there are no difficulties in extracting it. For some time, the cat may not respond to the nickname, walk slowly, uncertainly and staggering. The main thing is that the first day the pet is always in sight!

Food and drink

On the day of the operation, the cat does not need to be fed, only watered - as soon as it starts to rise after recovering from anesthesia. In the first hours after waking up, it is better to do this through a syringe. Be sure to monitor whether the animal makes swallowing movements so that it does not choke.

Start feeding from the second day with a volume of 1/3 of the usual portion. The cat should drink by itself. Food should be easily digestible and low-fat. On the 3rd day, the cat should begin to show an independent interest in food, i.e. start asking. All food should be balanced. Portions are increased gradually, but not to the maximum - sterilized cats should be protected from obesity.

There are times when a cat does not eat after sterilization for 2-3 days, but only drinks. If the lack of appetite is no longer associated with any additional symptoms, this phenomenon can be considered as an individual version of the norm.

Treatment and removal of stitches

During the entire postoperative period, the suture must be clean and dry. Any suppuration, inflammation or bloody wetting is a reason to contact the veterinarian.

Depending on the type of operation, the sutures may be on the abdomen along the white line, on the side, or in the form of punctures if the operation was performed using a laparoscope.

The sutures are placed on the muscle layer and on the skin (if on the stomach) or only on the skin (with an incision on the side, the muscles are not cut, but moved apart, and small punctures are made during laparoscopy). Internal sutures are superimposed with self-absorbable threads, external - with a surgical thread (it must be removed over time).

Until the stitches are removed, the wound is treated daily with any antiseptic solution, but without alcohol, so as not to provoke skin burns. There is an opinion that the seams do not need to be processed, but for this it is necessary to completely exclude the possibility of contamination of the seam. For convenience, it is better to carry out the processing together: one person holds the cat standing on a horizontal surface, gently picking it up under the front paws, the second one rolls up the blanket and processes the seam.

There are sprays with which the seam is processed immediately after the operation, and then every few days (for example, Aluminum Spray or Chemi Spray), and this is an almost 100% guarantee that no infection will enter the wound.

On the 7-10th day, the sutures are removed (after the 12th day, the threads will already begin to grow into the skin). This can be done at the vet or on your own.

Seams are made in two ways: stapled or continuous. A staple stitch consists of several threads tied into knots at equal distances. It is enough to pull the protruding threads, separate the knot from the skin, cut the loop and pull out the thread. If the seam is continuous, then the knot is cut off on one side, the seam is fastened on the other, the thread is pulled out of the middle and the whole is pulled out.
When can a cat's blanket be removed? On the same day as the suture is removed, it is allowed to remove the bandage, but if the cat does not lick the wound, or when the wound is already densely overgrown with hair, which eliminates irritation of the wound with a rough cat's tongue.

Medication accompaniment

Painkillers:

Rimadyl (carprofen)- intravenously or subcutaneously at a dose of 4 mg / kg (equivalent to 1 ml / 12.5 kg of body weight) once a day;
Tolfedin (tolfenamic acid) - 4 mg/kg once a day orally with food;
Ketofen 1% (ketoprofen)- subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously at a dose of 2 mg / kg (or 0.2 ml / kg) once a day and not longer than 3-4 days;
Loxicom (meloxicam)- 0.1 mg suspension / kg orally on the first day once, 0.05 mg / kg on subsequent days.

Means for processing seams:

Chlorhexidine 0.05% ( aqueous solution) - pour the seam through the dispenser or drip from above with a pipette until healing;
Dioxidine 0.5% - use similarly with Chlohexidine;
Vetericin-spray - spray the area of the seam 1-2 times a day until removed;
Aluminum spray - spray on the seam every few days until healing;
Chemi-spray - treat the seam once a day until healing;
ointment Levomekol - treat around the wound once a day, you can under the bandage.

Antibiotics:

Sinulox (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid) - intramuscularly once a day at a dose of 0.5 ml / 10 kg for 3-5 days;
Amoxicillin 15% - subcutaneously or intramuscularly 1 ml / kg (in terms of 15 mg / kg) once for 5 days.

Fortifying drugs:

Gamavit - the first 2-3 days at a dose of 0.5 ml / kg of body weight, then up to two weeks at 0.1 mg / kg.

Hemostatic agents:

Travmatin - intramuscularly or subcutaneously, 0.5-1 ml 2-5 times a day;
Etamzilat - 0.1 ml / kg twice a day.

Care: first week day after day

Day 1

After the operation, the cat sleeps an additional 30 minutes to 1-1.5 hours. On the first day the beast is half asleep, lethargic. There is a violation of coordination of movements. There may be hallucinations. Do not give any drugs that accelerate the recovery from anesthesia without the consent of the veterinarian! The first day you need to be nearby, stroke the animal, hold it in your arms, observe. When leaving, it is best to leave the cat in a small enclosed space and on the floor to avoid it falling and going out in an unknown direction. Do not put food and water - you do not need to feed on the first day at all, drink from a syringe or pipette drip.

If there is a lack of blinking, close the cat's eyes on its own to prevent the cornea from drying out. Do this before the start of self-blinking.

On the first day, the animal is disoriented - it can run away in an unknown direction, stop abruptly, run into walls, meow, fall and fall asleep, jump up, etc. You don't need to be afraid. It is better to place the pet in an impassable room so that no one and nothing bothers her.
Possible involuntary urination. If the cat goes to the toilet on its own, you can support it by stretching a towel under the belly the entire width of the body for stability and additional stimulation of the intestines.

There is vomiting. The first sign of vomiting is excessive licking of the muzzle. You can not bathe until the seam heals.

If the cat is in pain, you need an anesthetic injection, previously prescribed by a veterinarian.

Day 2

The cat gradually comes to his senses and becomes more adequate. Near it, you can put water and start feeding a little. The start in food is taken with low-fat chicken broth or kefir with bifidobacteria. In no case do not overfeed, but give all food in small portions. In free access and plenty should be only water! Even if before the operation the cat was only on dry food, you should not start with it - it is better to replace it with similar “wet” ones.

If the animal moves a little, and the paws are cool, you need to rub them or put the cat on a warm heating pad, removing the cooled one in a timely manner. On the second day, she can hide from prying eyes - it is imperative to ensure that the animal is always in sight. If you are allowed to hide, then in places where you can easily get it.

The cat's toilet should be somewhere nearby so as not to bother the animal with unnecessary walking after the operation.

If a cat does not walk at all after sterilization, then there are two reasons: the animal is uncomfortable in a bandage or there are problems with the hind limbs after anesthesia (especially after epidural anesthesia). The exact cause will be determined by a veterinarian who can be invited to the house.

Continue to monitor behavior, appetite, urination, defecation (should appear) and general condition.

The pain usually subsides on the second day. If there are still signs of discomfort due to pain, an anesthetic is given or pricked.

Day 3

On the 3rd day, the cat should fully recover: show activity and interest in what is happening, go to his tray to the toilet and start asking for food. You can gradually switch to a normal diet, but the ban on overfeeding remains.

On this day, it is necessary to measure the body temperature. Body temperature is measured rectally (in the rectum) with the tip of a thermometer smeared with petroleum jelly or any greasy cream. If the temperature is elevated according to two measurements during the day, you need to contact the veterinarian - you may have to start taking antibiotics. The course will have to be completed completely, no matter on which day the temperature drops to normal.

If the temperature from antibiotics does not start to decrease, you need to take the cat to the veterinarian or call him at home - there is a risk that the infection is viral, and this is the risk of death of the animal due to postoperative weakness.

Also a reason to contact the veterinarian if the body temperature is below 37.5 ° C.

If there is no bowel movement, you can give mild laxatives based on lactulose (Lactusan, Duphalac). The intestines must be emptied regularly - this must be monitored, because. very often, after anesthesia, there is a slowdown in intestinal peristalsis.

Day 4

By the fourth day, the animal should actively and independently eat and drink, active urination and bowel movements should be noted.

If there is no urination, you need to give 1/5 tablet of no-shpa or 2-3 drops of valerian tincture, diluted in a teaspoon of water. After 15 minutes, make a light massage of the abdomen at the level of the bladder. There should be urination. If still not, the cat needs to be taken to a veterinary clinic for bladder catheterization.

Day 5

By the fifth day, the cat can begin to let out of the closed room, because. it can be allowed some activity - to walk relatively long distances (between rooms), you can let it go for a walk in the yard (under supervision), if the animal had access to the street before sterilization. You can jump on low surfaces.

By the fifth day, the swelling and redness around the seam should subside, if there were any signs. There should be signs of scarring.

Day 6 and 7

The fact that the cat underwent surgery is only reminiscent of a blanket (bandage) and the presence of postoperative sutures. By the end of the week, the animal should be fully active, eat with appetite, drink whenever it wants, sleep in any chosen place, jumping on the sofa or chairs (of course, it’s still difficult to jump on the windowsill from the floor).

No pain. Urination and bowel movements as usual. With normal body resistance, sutures can be removed on the 7th day - a maximum of 10th.

The suture after sterilization of the cat should be clean, dry, with signs of dense scarring, without signs of inflammation or suppuration.

Possible postoperative complications

Complications after planned surgical interventions develop extremely rarely and, in most cases, it depends on the individual characteristics of a particular animal.

The main postoperative complications:

Prolonged postanesthetic hypothermia. If for a long time the cat lies without moving, it has a coldness of the ears and paws to the touch, it is necessary to check the body temperature. If the temperature is below 37°C, you need to put the cat on a warm heating pad, cover it with any natural piece of cloth and contact the veterinarian for advice.
Intra-abdominal bleeding. If traces of fresh blood are found in the suture area or from the vulva, with obvious soreness of the abdomen and pallor of the skin, the cat should be immediately taken to a veterinary clinic to stop possible bleeding in the abdominal cavity. If internal bleeding is confirmed, then a second surgical intervention is performed.
Postoperative hyperthermia. With elevated body temperature for more than 3 days (above 39 ° C), it is necessary to consult with a veterinarian or take the cat to an appointment for a direct examination by a specialist.
Redness around the seam and its swelling. Within 3-5 days, a similar state of the seam is allowed, provided that there is no discharge from the wound. After 5 days, both redness and swelling will begin to subside and will completely disappear by the time the sutures are removed.
Rotting postoperative suture. If the cat's postoperative hygiene measures are not followed, dirt can get into the seam, from which it will begin to fester. Be sure to show the animal to the doctor. If the prescribed topical preparations do not help to eliminate such signs, the doctor will have to remove the sutures, remove the damaged skin around the wound under anesthesia, and re-sew.
A lump on the abdomen in the area of the seam. If an enlarged area is found anywhere around the seam, this is an occasion for consultation with a veterinarian. There are two options for bumps after sterilization - this is postoperative edema, which may have to be opened, or growth of granulation tissue (“young” skin), which will disappear on its own within a month and a half.

Sterilization (castration) is not a complicated operation, the difficulty lies in the postoperative period. After surgery, be sure to get recommendations from a veterinarian on how to care for a cat, and strictly adhere to them. In any emergency situation, be sure to consult with a specialist.