Kittens being spayed-advice

cazscoob

My 2 girls are going in to be spayed tomorrow morning and im wondering what i should do for them coming home. I have a very large crate that i could keep them in if need be or do i leave them as normal? should i also get something light for feeding them when they get home?

All i have really been told is not to feed them after 7pm tonight and drop them off first thing. i am a little worried, even though i know its for the best

Fire_Fox

What do you mean by light food? Cats are obligate carnivores, they evolved to eat meat - including the fatty skin, organs and bone - it's therefore a mistake to anthropomorphise. Your kittens digestive systems should be accustomed to the precise balance of fat, protein and carbs in their regular food, changing that suddenly can trigger a stomach upset. They will need a good quality complete food to get all the nutrients required for healing and seeing off infections, human food will not supply this. The veterinarian should advise you on aftercare, if they don't you need a new vet! It's natural to be worried, just hold in your mind that you are protecting them by doing this.

rincey

usually after any op the vet tells you to feed small meals of chicken ,just for the first day ,then back to normal ,my cats filled there bellys then went to sleep under the bed where it was warm and quiet,just keep a eye on them they should be ok

rising_from_the_ashes

As Fire Fox says, having them done is the best thing for them - no kittens, no Toms prowling around and most of all - protection from horrible diseases they can get.

As others have said, your vet will give you some advice before your bring them home - they'll be a bit sleepy and will probably curl up somewhere warm for the 1st night.

I was trying to remember back to when my wee girl was done and couldn't think of how she behaved.

Have just remembered it was when she hurt her knee - vet had to knock her out to investigate more thoroughly and said she would spay her when she was under if it wasn't too serious. Anyway, the knee needed cage rest for 6 weeks so she recovered from the spaying whilst she was in there - TBH I think the knee bothered her more than the op!

tankgirl1

Hiya

As a VN what I generally advise after a routine cat spay (and it may not be right for every animal) is as follows;

Easily digesible food, little and often on the night of the op - we give out some hills id FOC, but bits of cooked chicken breast or similar would be fine. Allow access to water ad lib, but try not to let them gorge themselves on it.

Use buster collars to stop them getting at the stitches, and watch them like a hawk if there are 2 together, as they may groom each others sutures out!

Keep indoors until stitches out - they probably don't need the crate, but it can be hard to stop cats jumping up onto stuff, so it may be an idea for the first night - up to you really.

Monitor for pain and bring them back if they seem in discomfort.

Your own vet or VN will go thru all this with you. Be sure to allow them access to water tonight - just take it up in the morning when you get up. Otherwise they may become dehydrated, which is not ideal for a ga.

cazscoob

thanks i did mean chicken/fish for feeding when they get home. but will remember little and often, they dont drink an awful lot but play with the water from the tap regularly

I do have a good vet but the appointment was only booked on monday and i havent had a chance to ask all the questions i have asked here! it was the receptionist that said no food after 7pm and bring them in for 9. im guessing they will give me all the details tomorrow but i know i may get a little upset leaving them and not quite take it all in they are just a year old and i have had them since 5 weeks due to the owner moving away and not caring(i took them or they would be left), they are part of the family and im just a typical worried mum lol!

Thank you for the advice and ill update tomorrow x

tankgirl1

Its usually a VN who admits routine ops, and we are generally an approachable bunch, with more time to go through things - so don't be afraid to ask questions. It's hard to leave them, but it is for the best, and I am sure they will be well looked after. Its a routine op - It is very very rare to see complications, so try not to worry!

pinkcandyflossprincess

awww- dont fret too much. our eldest kitten got spayed not long ago, I was frantic:o. when she got home i gave her chicken and rice, which she gobbled up so i gave her some of her wet food which she ate, she was fine apart from the collar which she kept pulling off.
i made sure she had a good meal on the night before then left her with plenty of water. she was ok.

if you can -ask for the glued stitches instead. much easier than battling with the collar!!

cazscoob

thank you for all the advice, they are eventually home but its been a long day for me lol!

They are a little wobbly still but everythng went very well, it was keyhole surgery so they have a big bald patch and 2 tiny stitches! they were very well behaved until they saw me come in and started yowling lol! back for a check up on monday and hopefully they will be speaking to me by then

rising_from_the_ashes

:TPleased to hear it went so well.

A couple of days, and they'll be back to "normal";).

It's funny as when mine go to the vet, when they get home they won't come near me - for all of an hour and then they've totally forgotten about it!:)

cazscoob

so what you mean is enjoy the peace whilst it lasts lol! they are usually chasing each other around/over doors/on top of the kitchen etc etc! its very quiet tonight!

Blue is quite happy to come over and cuddle in but Mogg has had a huge fright and hasnt moved from under the table she has eaten which is a good sign