Helping Your Cat Recover From A Spay Procedure
The U.S. has a cat overpopulation problem. It is estimated that 3.4 million cats enter animal shelters every year. Sadly, the percentage of cats in shelters that fail to get adopted, and are eventually euthanized, is somewhere between 40% and 70%, according to statistics.
The most reliable way to ease pet overpopulation is by spaying and neutering pets.
Both spaying and neutering are fairly routine procedures. In fact, data shows that about 85% of female cats are spayed, which prevents the cat from reproducing and most importantly, having unexpected litters of kittens that then need to find homes.
Spaying a cat, however, is a surgical procedure. And there are a few things to know about this common practice ahead of time.
Benefits of Cat Spay Surgery
The benefits of spaying a cat reach beyond combatting the pet overpopulation problem. Cats that are spayed before their first heat are more likely to avoid developing uterine infections, ovarian cysts, and breast and uterine cancers.
Spaying can also prevent a cat from developing the potentially life-threatening condition known as pyometra, which is when the animal’s uterus fills with pus. Pyometra often requires emergency surgery, which can be costly and present risks to the cat, depending on the severity of the condition.
In addition to the health benefits of spaying a cat, the procedure also eliminates some less-than-desirable behaviors. When a female cat is in heat, male cats nearby notice. And if your cat roams freely outdoors, being in heat can prompt fights with other cats and inspire male cats to hang around your home and howl.
Feline Spay Aftercare Tips
A spay procedure involves the removal of a cat’s uterus and ovaries. Even though it is a common surgery, it is still surgery, and it can take a little bit of time for your cat to feel like themselves again.
For the first 24 hours after surgery, it is recommended that cat owners stay with their pets to make sure they’re comfortable and recovering as expected. After receiving pain medication and anesthesia during the procedure, cats that undergo a spay will likely act lethargic and want to sleep.
It’s recommended that cats have water available to them and a small amount of food. Anesthesia can make cats a little nauseous. And, they should limit their activity for the first few days.
Cat owners can expect to see some swelling and maybe even some bruising at the site of the incision, and that is normal. But if the swelling becomes excessive, it’s best to check back in with your veterinarian. In addition, a small amount of blood might be in your cat’s urine after surgery, but excessive amounts or clots should not. If either of those are present, reach out to your veterinarian.
Cats generally recover from spay surgery pretty quickly, within 14 days. And they’ll usually start getting up and around again, with increased activity, the further they get from the procedure.
If you are looking for affordable cat spay surgery for your pet, reach out to our team at Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit. We specialize in surgical procedures, and cat spay surgery is one of the procedures we perform quite often.
We’d be happy to take care of your cat! Connect with our team and get your cat spay surgery scheduled!
Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit is a trusted veterinary team serving the Phoenix, Peoria, East Mesa, Queen Creek, and Tucson metro areas, with accessible locations in each market, offering highly specialized surgery, quality spay and neuter procedures, and accessible dental care for pets. Contact us to learn more about our specialized services or to schedule an appointment.
