If your cat has an upcoming surgery, there may be a sense of uneasiness within you. That is perfectly natural. Whether the surgery is an elective spay or neuter, non-elective and needed to remove or biopsy foreign tissues, or emergency as a result of a serious accident, there are many things that you can do to help ensure a safe recovery.

Pre-Op There will be differences, obviously, between what you can and can't do before an emergency surgery versus a scheduled procedure. So, those things mentioned here are most meaningful if your cat is undergoing elective or non-elective surgery.

A cat should not eat for at least twelve hours before surgery. That means that you should take the food dish away the night before the procedure. Most vets will suggest that no food or snacks be given after six o'clock in the evening. This helps reduce the chances of aspiration - the breathing in of - during or shortly after surgery. Because anesthesia does cause many cats to vomit, if the stomach is not emptied, the food particulars that are brought up during vomiting can be drawn into the lungs and cause very serious infection. So, while food must be taken away, a water dish may be left out for your furry friend. You should also keep the cat inside prior to surgery. This prevents the feline from snacking outdoors or disappearing just before you are set to leave for his or her appointment.

On the day of the procedure, be sure that you have an estimated cost of the surgery from the vet and also get a good idea of the timeline - how long the surgery is expected to take, how long the cat will be expected to stay in the hospital and when you should be back to pick him or her up.

Post-Op Before the surgery, the cat will have been given some form of anesthesia. There can be several notable effects, which will vary depending on which type was used. First and foremost, the cat will likely be very groggy after the procedure. This can last for up to twenty-four hours or even slightly longer. The cat will likely shiver because anesthesia causes the body temperature to cool so the body must regain its normal. A cough may present itself due to throat irritation caused by the hose used to deliver gas anesthesia. Also common are diarrhea and vomiting. For these reasons and others, it is important to abide by the visitation rules of the Animal Hospital Colorado Springs if you decide to see your companion prior to release.

Once you are allowed to take your pet home, be sure that the vet provides detailed instructions regarding food and activity limitations. It will likely be recommended that the cat be kept indoors for seven to ten days while the incision heals.

There are several warning signs, which are good reason to call the vet after cat surgery. These include refusal of food for more than twenty-four hours, persisting vomiting, diarrhea, or cough after forty-eight hours, continuous bleeding from the wound or signs of infection. These signs, which are noted at the incision site, include redness, puss, swelling, or gapping of the wound (the incision which should be held tightly closed begins to open). Finally, though your cat may be in pain, you should NEVER administer pain killers to cats at home. The only safe pain killers for cats must be administered by a veterinarian.