Poorly Cat after Spaying

albacookie

lister wrote: »

It isn't a big issue so far as I am aware in terms of significantly increased risk of complications. It is just somewhat more significant in terms of tissue damage and position, so it takes cats a while longer to recover from. Hence why I am surprised to find it being done electively. Providing a cat is recovering well we will rehome 48 hours after a normal spay, but would keep a midline at least a day or two longer.

I assume the reason for choosing a midline is to avoid shaving and/or scarring in a visible location? If so it is the wrong reason as far as I am concerned to be honest - a cat doesn't care what it looks like, but given the choice I figure it would choose the lesser operation.

A midline spay shouldn't be significantly more painful as the incision is made through the linea alba (connective tissue) rather than muscle which a flank spay does. We do quite a few (pedigrees, early neuters) and they cope well. Obviously if done because the queen is pregnant or has a pyometra (womb infection) the surgery wil cause more pain and probably warrant post op pain relief.

In fact this study
Vet Rec. 2006 May 13;158(19):657-60.
Prospective evaluation of postoperative pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy by a midline or flank approach.

Burrow R, Wawra E, Pinchbeck G, Senior M, Dugdale A.

showed a tendency for flank spays to be more painful and there are several others that show higher levels of pain and more frequent complications with flank spays.
(That said problems are still very rare and flank spays are very safe)

Fridaycat

albacookie wrote: »

A midline spay shouldn't be significantly more painful as the incision is made through the linea alba (connective tissue) rather than muscle which a flank spay does. We do quite a few (pedigrees, early neuters) and they cope well. Obviously if done because the queen is pregnant or has a pyometra (womb infection) the surgery wil cause more pain and probably warrant post op pain relief.


(That said problems are still very rare and flank spays are very safe)

Thanks albacookie for the information. Is it usual for cats who have this to take 4 days or more to recover? Lula is not completely lethargic, but is sleeping most of the time and I have not seen her eat or drink anything today, though she may have had the odd mouthful when I've not been around, it's difficult to tell with 5 cats.

albacookie

It can take a few days - maybe she would benefit from some extra pain relief? Do your vets have any kind of surgery tomorrow? Might be worth getting her checked.
If she's not eating it can help to warm up her food and try something strong smelling - tuna maybe - to help stimulate her appettite.

Fridaycat

albacookie wrote: »

It can take a few days - maybe she would benefit from some extra pain relief? Do your vets have any kind of surgery tomorrow? Might be worth getting her checked.
If she's not eating it can help to warm up her food and try something strong smelling - tuna maybe - to help stimulate her appettite.

No, they don't have a surgery on Sunday, only Saturday mornings at the weekend and being as she saw him at 5pm Friday, I didn't think there was a need to get her checked again this morning. Plus, I didn't realise at the time of course that she would be so quiet all day today.

I have just given her a bit of scrap paper to play with (one of her favourite "toys") and she is taking an interest, so although she is far from her normal naughty self, she is not completely out of it.

I'll try warming some food up for her and see how she goes - thanks for your help.

albacookie

Hope she feels better soon!

picklepick

Hope she feels better tomorrow Fridaycat. It's horrible when they're ill isn't it. You feel helpless because they can't tell you what's wrong.
My cat can't resist tuna so maybe try that.

Fridaycat

picklepick wrote: »

Hope she feels better tomorrow Fridaycat. It's horrible when they're ill isn't it. You feel helpless because they can't tell you what's wrong.
My cat can't resist tuna so maybe try that.

I have to be careful what I feed the Bengals as they have quite sensitive tummies and so can be prone to diarrhoea easily. They haven't had tuna before, so may be not a good idea to introduce it now .

The good news is, though, that I tempted Lula with a bit of Encore chicken which is one of her favourites, though only fed now and again as it is not a complete food. But she had a few mouthfuls and shortly after got out of her sickbed and had some dry Royal Canin.

She is now walking around a lot more and is interacting with the other cats which is nice to see. She is far from normal, but better than she has been all day.

Thanks to all that have posted for your support. :T

Fridaycat

Just thought I'd update you with progress

Today, Lula is out of bed, eating a little, playing a tiny bit. So better than she has been in 3 days. Hopefully she has gotten over the worst of it :T

rising_from_the_ashes

Ahhh Friday, glad to hear she's a bit more "herself" this morning.

Fridaycat

Thanks, rising She is now back in her snuggle bed, back on my lap (Friday has gone upstairs in a huff!), so although she's having a nice snooze, she seems much perkier than yesterday. Looks like I won't be getting much done today, though - oh well, it is a good excuse for not doing any chores :rotfl: