Surgeries are major procedures. Even seemingly simple surgeries can be quite complicated. If your cat needs to be operated on, it’s important to make sure that he or she is properly prepared. Failure to properly prepare may put your cat at risk. If your cat must undergo surgery, you should talk with a veterinarian first. At Waldorf Emergency Care, we have years of experience preparing for and performing pet surgery. Let’s take a look at some general tips for prepping your cat for surgery.
Preparing Your Cat
Perhaps the biggest and most important thing is to make sure your cat refrains from eating for at least 24 hours before surgery. This can be hard on your cat and they may beg for food. However, a cat must be sedated to undergo surgery. If food is in his or her stomach, there is a risk of them vomiting or choking.
There are many other things to consider before pet surgery as well. You will want to minimize playtime, as it is important for your cat to rest before the operation. If your cat needs any vaccinations, it is important to get them at least two weeks before surgery. While our veterinarian goes to great lengths to minimize risks, surgery may expose your pet to microbes, so pre-surgery vaccines are wise.
Small kittens generally should not undergo surgery unless it’s an absolute emergency. It’s typically best to wait for the kitten to reach at least 12 weeks of age and 2 pounds in weight. After surgery, you may need to give your pet certain foods and medications. Our veterinarian will guide you through the process of caring for your cat following surgery.
3 Ways to Prepare Your Cat for Surgery
Looking at ways to prepare your cat for surgery is important to limit the chance of complications. Reaching out to Waldorf Emergency Care is an excellent option if you need to schedule pet surgery for your cat. Our experienced veterinarian can perform a wide range of surgical procedures, including spaying and neutering, lump removals, exploratory surgery, biopsies, and much more. However, taking the extra time to prepare your cat for surgery is well worth it to ensure everything goes as planned.
Here are a few simple tips you should keep in mind to help prepare your cat for surgery.
Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations
One of the key aspects of preparing your pet for surgery is to ensure your cat is up to date on vaccinations. For example, distemper and rabies vaccines are often required before scheduling surgery. These vaccinations should always be administered at least five days before the date of the surgery.
Verify Medication
Choosing to reach out to a veterinarian before surgery is a good idea if your pet is on any type of medication. Some drugs need to be continued, while others can be skipped on the night before surgery. Checking with your veterinarian is essential to limit the chance of complications.
Keep Your Cat Indoors
If you have an outdoor cat, making sure your pet stays indoors before the night of the surgery is a good idea to ensure you can easily find your cat. Many people have to reschedule appointments because they cannot find their cats on the day of surgery. However, you can avoid this situation by keeping your pet indoors the night before the operation.
Schedule Pet Surgery with a Waldorf Veterinarian
Waldorf Emergency Care offers a wide range of vet services to residents of Charles, Prince George, and St. Mary Counties. Our goal is to provide your pet with top-quality care, and we are always happy to answer any of your questions. For more information on pet surgery or to schedule an appointment, call us at (301) 705-9700.