When are cat surgeries considered elective, non-elective, or emergency?
Elective surgeries are procedures that aren't immediately necessary, such as a cat spay, a cat neuter, or growth removals. Non-elective procedures are surgeries that treat life-threatening conditions, like bladder stones, or if your cat is blocked. Foreign bodies might also be considered non-elective. Emergency surgeries are performed when there's a trauma like a hit by car or similar events requiring emergency care.
Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What are the most common cat surgeries?
The most common cat surgeries performed at Lock Haven Veterinary Hospital are cat spays, cat neuters, dental cleaning, oral extractions, sometimes removing bladder stones, and growth removals.
Will cats need lab work done prior to having surgery?
Yes, all cats going under any type of general anesthesia require lab work to ensure they're a healthy candidate for the procedure.
What will the veterinarian be looking for in the pre-surgery lab work?
In the pre-surgery lab work, we're primarily ensuring that your cat is healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia and have the surgery. Specifically, we're looking at factors like overall health, kidney function, blood sugar, electrolytes, clotting factors, anemia, and the state of the white blood cells for fighting off infections and healing.
What do I need to know before my cat has surgery?
The main things to know are when to fast your cat and if there are any medications that need to be given before the surgery. Your veterinarian will provide you with this information.
Who will be monitoring the cat while under anesthesia?
Dedicated surgery and anesthetic technicians monitor the patient throughout the procedure. This is done under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.
How long is recovery after cat surgery?
The recovery time depends on the type of surgery. Most surgeries require a recovery period of one to two days. Some minor surgeries might only require the same day for recovery, with the cat returning to normal activities within 24 hours. More invasive surgeries, like abdominal surgery to remove a foreign body, might require a few more days.
What can be done to help your cat recover at home after surgery?
Ensure your cat is in a controlled, safe, and climate-controlled environment. Administer any prescribed medications properly, feed your cat on time, and prevent them from overexerting themselves with exercise.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Surgery - FAQs 1
Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
Will my cat go under anesthesia during surgery?
It depends on the type of surgery we're performing, but many common procedures and surgeries, such as cat spays and cat neuters, or any abdominal surgery, would require the cat to go under general anesthesia.
Will my cat be intubated for surgery?
If your cat goes under general anesthesia, we always intubate. This involves placing a tube down the trachea to ensure a proper exchange of gas and oxygen.
How will my veterinarian communicate with me after my cat's surgery?
We make it a point to call you immediately after the surgery to inform you about how the procedure went and address any questions you might have. Moreover, our surgery technicians will call or text you throughout the day to keep you updated on your cat's progress.
Will my cat be in pain after surgery?
We take measures to ensure that your cat is as comfortable as possible. We administer pain medication before, during, and after the procedure. Additionally, we send home medications with your cat to prevent any post-operative discomfort.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Surgery - FAQs 2
Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What can I do at home to get my cat ready for surgery?
To prepare your cat for surgery at home, ensure that you know when to stop feeding your cat to fast them. If your cat is on any medications, ensure you administer them at the correct time. Additionally, you should arrive at the hospital in time for the surgery.
Does my cat need to be fasted for surgery?
Typically, the need for fasting depends on the type of surgery, but in most cases, your cat should be fasted. Usually, we recommend a fasting period of 12 hours prior to the procedure.
How soon can my cat come home after surgery?
We usually send our patients home the same day, unless the procedure requires extended care. In such cases, we might refer you to an overnight facility to provide that care.
What do I need to know about taking care of my cat after surgery?
Post-operative care primarily involves following the veterinarian's suggestions and recommendations, which may include pain management. It's also important to know when to start feeding your cat again. All these details will be provided by the technician when you come to pick up your cat.
Will my cat need post-surgery pain medication?
Mostly, we send home some form of medication to minimize any discomfort or pain your cat might experience after surgery. So, yes, we typically provide post-operative pain management.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Surgery - FAQs 3
Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
How can the risk of my cat's surgery be minimized?
At Loch Haven, we try to minimize any risk by doing several things. One is always to do a good physical exam prior to the procedure. We also do some laboratory testing and things like electrocardiograms to determine that your cat is healthy and a good candidate for the procedure.
How will you ensure the safety of my cat during surgery?
We do our best to ensure safety by using many types of monitoring techniques and procedures on your kitty during the surgery to monitor their vitals. We have a dedicated technician who does that and if they see something that seems abnormal then we make the necessary adjustments.
What are the side effects and possible complications of surgery for my cat?
Some of the possible side effects we see sometimes are a bit of sleepiness or lethargy, or a little tiredness after the surgeries. Sometimes there's some oozing or hemorrhage at the surgery sites. Usually, these are the biggest side effects that we see.
Will my cat be intubated for surgery?
We usually do intubate all cats that go under general anesthesia to help minimize any kind of risk.
Who will be monitoring my cat while under anesthesia?
We have dedicated anesthesia and surgery techs who focus specifically on monitoring your kitty under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram