After surgery, it is important to give special attention to your cat's care to avoid re-aggravating the injury. Today our Pico Rivera vets discuss strategies to care for a cat recovering from surgery, what to do for a cat not eating after surgery, and how to stop a cat from jumping after surgery.
Always Follow The Post-Op Instructions
Both pets and their owners are likely to experience some anxiety before and after surgery. However, understanding how to care for your feline companion once they return home is critical to assist your pet in returning to their normal self as quickly as possible.
Following your pet's surgery, your veterinarian will give you clear and detailed instructions on how to care for them at home while they recover. It is critical that you carefully follow these instructions. If you have any questions about any of the steps, contact your veterinarian for clarification. If you get home and realize you forgot something about your cat's aftercare, don't be afraid to call and ask for clarification.
Restricting Movement - Keep Your Cat From Jumping!
Following surgery, your veterinarian will most likely advise you to restrict your pet's movement for some time (usually a week). Sudden jumping or stretching can cause the incision to reopen and disrupt the healing process.
Thankfully, few procedures necessitate prolonged crate or cage rest to aid recovery, and most outdoor cats will be fine staying indoors for a few days while they recover. Continue reading for tips on how to keep your cat from jumping:
Take Down All Cat Trees to Keep Your Cat From Jumping
A great first step to discourage jumping in your home is to lay cat trees on their sides or cover them with a blanket. Leaving the cat tree up simply invites your feline companion to try his or her luck leaping.
It is not the most elegant solution perhaps, but it is only for a short while well your cat recovers from surgery
Keep the Cat Inside Your Home to Keep them From Jumping
Outdoor cats might put up a fuss about being kept inside, but it is for their good following surgery, as unsupervised trips outside invite disastrous consequences for jumping cats.
You cannot know what your cat is up to when they are out of sight, so it is best to keep them within reach while they recover from surgery.
Keep the Cat Away From Other Cats to Discourage Jumping
Socializing in the post-operative period might not be the best idea for your cat.
When in the presence of other cats, your recovering feline friend is more likely to jump about the house to keep up with them.
If you own multiple cats, consider keeping them separate for a brief period while one is recovering from surgery.
Maintain a Calm Home Environment to Keep Your Cat From Jumping After Surgery
The more stimuli in your home, the less likely your cat is to be able to lay down and relax. This makes the odds of them jumping much higher.
Try to keep your cat isolated from children or other pets while they are recovering, as this will help them chill out and ride it out until they are back to their usual selves.
Explain to those in the household the need to maintain a quiet volume for the next short while on behalf of your resting cat.
Make Use of a Crate to Stop Jumping From Cats After Surgery
The last resort for many cat owners, we do not recommend crate rest for any animal for days on end; however, if your cat is especially stubborn and unwilling to settle down, you may have no other choice but to give them more crate time.
If this is the only option that works, consider speaking with your Vet about anesthetics that may help your cat relax outside the crate.
If your cat is particularly jump-happy, it is best practice to keep them in their crate when you are outside the home, only letting them wander about when you are present to supervise them.
Stay Alert and Focused on Keeping Your Cat From Jumping
Finally, while it might go without saying, the most important strategy to keep your cat from jumping is to stay vigilant to their activity.
You can't correct behavior you can't see, and if your cat gets hurt again, it's critical to get in touch with a vet right away, so cat owners should pay extra attention to their feline companions while they're recovering from surgery.
What if my cat is not eating after surgery?
After a surgical procedure, your cat will most likely feel slightly nauseated and lose appetite due to the effects of a general anesthetic. Try to feed them something small and light after surgery, such as chicken or fish. You can also give them their regular food, but only a quarter of their normal portion.
Approximately 24 hours after surgery, your cat's appetite should return. After that, your pet can gradually resume eating its regular food. Contact your veterinarian or veterinary surgeon if your pet's appetite hasn't returned after 48 hours. Loss of appetite can be a sign of infection or pain in these long-term cases.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.