4 Tips to Help Your Cat Recover After a General Anaesthetic
Most cat surgeries involve the administration of a general anaesthetic. These render the cat unconscious while the surgeon does their work, and your cat's vital signs will be monitored throughout to make sure they are okay.
While there are some risks, the vast majority of cats suffer no problems from anaesthetic. In fact, recent breakthroughs in anaesthetic agents have helped ensure fast recovery times. That said, you'll still want to keep your cat from harm as they recover.
Here are just four things to do.
1. Set Up a Quiet Place
Your cat will be tired and probably a little stressed after surgery, not to mention a little clumsy in their movements. As such, it makes sense to set them up with a quiet little spot where they won't be disturbed by other pets, young children, or household traffic. Create a nice bed for your cat to sleep in, and make sure you keep checking on them while allowing them their own stress-free recovery space.
2. Avoid Slipping and Falling Hazards
Your cat won't be quite as agile as they normally are while covering from a general anaesthetic, but they'll still think they are. They usually look quite wobbly and uncertain even when walking from one spot to another. Make sure their recovery space is free of anything they can jump on or off and avoid slippery flooring. Your cat could injure themselves doing something that was previously a piece of cake. This is why many cat owners put their pet in a crate or carrier until the anaesthetic has completely worn off.
3. Keep Back the Food
Many cat owners assume they should give their four-legged friend plenty of food right after a general anaesthetic; after all, the cat will have been fasting since before the surface. However, cat's don't really crave much food during the recovery period, and they'll often become nauseous if they eat before the anaesthetic leaves their system. During the first few hours, don't present your cat with any food. After they seem back to normal, feed them something small; if they keep it down, you can start feeding them as normal.
4. Limit Water
If might sound silly, but even a regular bowl of water can be a risk for your cat until all the anaesthetic has left their system. A drugged feline can choke or even drown in a very small amount of water. In any case, they will have been given plenty of fluid during the surgery itself. Avoid putting out their water dish until they are moving around normally.
For more information on recovery care after vet surgery, contact your local animal hospital today.