How to help a cat after castration

Specialists do not recommend bathing the cat during the first month after castration. Bathing procedures should be excluded for at least 10-14 days after the operation, until the wound has healed. In case of urgent need you can clean the cat's fur from dirt with special agents or wet wipes.

Cat care after castration

Castration is recommended to improve the quality of life of domestic cats suffering from sexual dissatisfaction. This surgical procedure, performed in veterinary clinics, is aimed at suppressing the libido and eliminating the sexual instincts of the animal. After a cat is neutered, he becomes calmer and friendlier, stops tagging his territory in the house, tries to jump out the window into the street, meows loudly and tears things. In addition, neutering reduces the risk of tumors and prostatitis in pets.

Castration of cats is performed under anesthesia and involves making two small incisions in the scrotal area. The doctor pulls the spermatic cord and removes the testes, after which the wound is stitched up and treated with antiseptic. Within an hour after the operation, the cat stays in the clinic under veterinarian supervision, after which the owner takes the animal home, where he needs to provide full care as provided for in the postoperative period.

In this article we will tell you about the peculiarities of taking care of a cat after castration, how and what to treat the wound, when to take the collar off, how to feed correctly, when to give water, in how many days a cat can be bathed, why a cat should not jump and lick the wound and what else is not allowed to do after the operation.

Cat wound care and treatment after castration

A castration performed at a specialized veterinary clinic by an experienced doctor is considered a relatively safe procedure for pets. Complications can occur in the postoperative period due to improper care of the injured area.

To exclude the risks of infection and bleeding, the owner should regularly inspect the suture and treat the wound using alcohol-free antiseptics. To exclude the risk of inflammation, it is also recommended to lubricate the operated area with Levomekol ointment.

Treatment of the postoperative wound is carried out until its complete healing and removal of stitches. As a rule, cats quickly recover after castration and already after 5-10 days the wound is healed and the stitches are removed.

If during the rehabilitation there are any signs of complications – bleeding, separation of stitches, inflammation of the wound and so on, the owner should show the cat to the vet immediately!

When the collar can be removed

After the surgery, a special collar is fixed on the neck of the animals to prevent the cats from licking the wound, which can lead to infection and divergence of the stitches. The required duration of the collar after neutering is at least 5 days. Specialists allow taking it off for a short time, but only if the cat is under the vigilant control of the owner.

Cat's eating regime after castration

After castration, the diet of the domestic cat changes significantly. From the diet will have to remove a number of products and conventional foods. If the pet is used to eating industrial compositions, the owner needs to buy special food for castrated cats.

Since a castrated cat ceases to be interested in natural sexual processes, it compensates for sexual interest with increased nutrition, which often leads to obesity and short life. To prevent the animal from rapidly gaining weight, the owner should carefully consider the ration and control the portions given, without going overboard with the dosage.

Taking care of a cat after anesthesia

Sterilization of cats is always performed under anesthesia. Body temperature decreases during medical sleep, so make sure that your cat is extra warm after sterilization. If it is planned to take it home immediately, it is better to put an additional cloth on the bottom of the carrier. It is also advisable to wrap the kitty in something warm, especially if outdoor conditions are not pleasant. Naturally, you should wrap your pet as carefully as possible.

At home, during the first twenty-four hours after surgery, the cat will be recovering from anesthesia. It always looks strange and sometimes frightening, but you should not worry, it is quite normal. The pet does not know where to go and what to do. She may take a few clumsy steps, then lie down, or she may just walk backwards. You should not react violently to what is happening, much less laugh.

It is necessary to reverently pick up the pet and carry her to the bedding to ensure a good rest. Attempts to walk or run will still result in failure, so it is better if the cat is in a lying position.

Important to know:
A cat's recovery from anesthesia usually takes up to 8 hours, but some cats have a full wake-up time of up to 12 hours.

The cat after anesthesia always behaves not quite normal and accustomed to you, but if something greatly confuses the owner or if the period of "coming out of anesthesia" is delayed, call the veterinarian right away.

Try to organize the safety of the space so that the cat will not hurt itself after the anesthesia. All wires and other objects that can get tangled up should be removed from the floor surface. Also try to cover the furniture so the cat doesn't try to jump in.

Too sudden movements may cause the stitches to come apart. Try to provide a quiet environment and keep other animals and children away from your neutered cat. The best thing would be to isolate the pet so that no one bothers her at all.

Physiological needs after surgery

In the first 24 hours after surgery, the cat may sometimes experience vomiting and involuntary urination. These processes are also within the normal range, so do not scold your cat in any way. You just need to remember that the situation described above can happen, and with caution let the animal on sofas, beds and expensive carpets. You can keep a bag at the ready for the pet to throw up there. You can tell that the cat is about to vomit by its incessant licking.

Know this!
You can give water to your cat as early as 3 hours after surgery. But it is recommended to feed the cat only 5 – 7 hours after spaying.

Portions should be reduced. The optimal size is about a third of the usual amount. If before surgery the cat ate mostly dry food, then at the time of recovery from them it is recommended to give up. It is better to give preference to soft food.

The first twenty-four hours after the operation the cat should not eat, but it should have an obligatory access to water. In the next three days the cat may have poor appetite, but if it continues to refuse food, you should always contact your veterinarian.

Toilet

As soon as the cat starts to get up, a litter box with low sides should be placed near the cot. The filler (preferably silica gel, it does not cause dust and dirt) is better to fill in a light color, so you can immediately see if there is bleeding or pus.

If it is necessary, you can use special diapers for cats on the first day.

If the cat avoids the toilet in the first days, this is understandable. Firstly, he has hardly eaten or drunk anything yet. Secondly, he is experiencing pain and discomfort and postpones this moment. As a last resort, you can give the pet some Vaseline oil.

It is also not a problem if the cat goes to the toilet in small portions. This is normal for the first few days. Within a month everything should normalize. And most importantly, the urine will no longer have a pungent smell.

Cat nutrition after castration

In the first hours and days because of the consequences of anesthesia, painful feelings, the cat will not care about food. The main thing is not to force the cat to eat, it will only irritate it more. Here, clean and fresh water should always be available. As soon as the nausea passes, the cat will quench its thirst.

Soon his appetite will return, and most likely it will be increased. Overeating should not be indulged. Changes in hormone levels can easily lead to obesity and related diseases. But if the cat refuses to eat for two days after the procedure, this is an alarming factor. It is necessary to consult a veterinarian.

As for the diet, it is better to gradually switch to a diet of special food for neutered cats or prophylactic to prevent urolithiasis. If a pet on a natural diet – remove fish from the daily diet, any food over-enriched with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium.

Dry food causes acidification of the urine, which is also the prevention of IBC, so this diet should be preferred. But drinking should always be plentiful. Read more in the article, what to feed a neutered cat.

Types and peculiarities of operations

In males, the seminal ducts are ligated or castration is performed – the testes are removed. The intervention is superficial, without deep penetration into the abdominal cavity, so the cat is completely healthy within a day.

After surgery, the metabolism slows down, which improves the appetite. The animal becomes prone to obesity. This problem can be solved by following a diet and using specialized food for feeding.

Decide at what age to castrate a cat, what type of surgery to perform, can only be decided together with a veterinarian. Operations performed by a professional surgeon using modern anesthesia are not life-threatening for the pet.

Mr. cat recommends: tips for owners before and after surgery

The animal must be properly prepared for the surgical intervention. Before the intervention, it is imperative that you:

• At least one and a half months in advance, deworming and regular annual vaccinations.
• Make sure the cat is completely healthy – no colds, no systemic or infectious diseases.
• Consult with a specialist, if the pet regularly takes medications, whether to cancel them before and after surgery. Usually this is not necessary.
• If necessary, bathe the cat, comb it, trim its claws.
• Stop letting the cat outside at least two days before the operation to avoid the possibility of infection.
• Prepare for the post-operative period by buying the necessary food, medicine and a protective collar.
• Have the room where the animal will be after arrival from the veterinary clinic cleaned wet with disinfectants. Wash the bedding or steam the cat house.
• Stop feeding and remove water at least twelve hours before surgery.

• Set him up in a comfortable, quiet, darkened place. Provide rest and care, as for two days after anesthesia the animal may experience drowsiness, nausea, drowsiness.
• Do not give or feed the cat for six to twelve hours.
• Spend the first twenty-four hours by your pet's side, keeping a close eye on his condition.
• Protect from interference in the area of the patient other pets, children.
• Up to a month prohibit the cat to go outdoors. During this period water procedures are contraindicated.
• Monitor the condition of the operated area, it must be dry and clean. During the first two days treat stitches with hydrogen peroxide, Chlorhexidine or Miramistine. If necessary, a protective collar for animals can be used.
• Twice a day you should check the condition of the stitches. Initially they are red or pink, the intensity of color should gradually decrease. If they do not, or if they become darker, it may be a sign of infection. It is urgent to contact your veterinarian.
• Proper nutrition should be arranged – initially soft wet food. Introduce dry food gradually. Always make sure that the cat has water.
• Avoid constipation and physical exertion to prevent the threat of stitch separation.

Rehabilitation of a cat after anesthesia

In the first 3 hours after anesthesia, the cat may experience vomiting. This is due to the fact that the body is in every way released from the effects of the drugs. Also, the cat will experience dizziness, hence restlessness, lethargy, disorientation in space.

The owner can purchase eye drops that will eliminate the dryness, since the cat's eyes remain open for some time under anesthesia and there may be discomfort. Also, if the kitty has been eating solid food, select a softer, more easily digestible food for the first time.

Be aware.
Give the cat access to water after 3 hours and offer him his favorite food after 5 hours.

Make sure the cat doesn't overeat. In the beginning you may not feel hunger, but then you should start feeding your pet in small portions.

Treating the post-operative stitches

If the cat has no problems with the regenerative processes, the treatment of the sutures will consist of disinfectants and drying agents: manganese, calendula tincture. There are also professional veterinary preparations that are used immediately after surgery. It is better to check the names with your veterinarian and buy them at a veterinary pharmacy. They are non-irritating, drying, and stimulate the tightening of the incision.

If the cat is castrated in a sutureless manner, no further treatments are required throughout the rehabilitation.

Use any medications in consultation with the doctor. The main task at this stage is not to let the cat break the integrity of the suture, not to get an infection. Take care of the collar. Otherwise you will have to take a course of antibiotics.

• Examine the groin area once a day, especially if the pet has started to move actively. Bleeding can be drip, medium or intense;
• At the slightest suspicion of a worsening condition, a divergent suture should be consulted with a doctor.

Don't be afraid to raise the alarm: better to be reassured than to miss the moment and let the situation get out of hand.

Memo to the cat owner for 7 days

Owners whose cats have been neutered should follow simple rules for the next 7-10 days. Which will allow you to go through rehabilitation without problems.

Limit your time outdoors

Even if the cat feels well after castration, runs around the apartment and plays actively, you should not let him out in the street. Climbing trees or clashing with other cats can cause an infection. You should also protect your pet from vigorous exercise. Yes, a cat can be naughty and ask to go for a walk, but you can't let him do that. It is important to explain the rules of rehabilitation to all housemates so that the actions are coordinated and the animal remains safe.

The cat should not be bathed immediately

For a week after castration, refrain from bathing your pet, even if the cat has wet himself. Until the tissues have fully healed, water can be a conduit for infection and cause an abscess. Be patient. Once the stitches are removed and the wound at the incision site is well healed (from the word at all), you can wash the cat with peace of mind.

What consequences to watch out for

In the first place, the problem of urolithiasis comes to the fore. Normally, the cat leaves territorial marks, the urine does not stagnate in the bladder. Now the cat will empty much less often, which means the salts have time to form crystals and form deposits in the cavities and ducts of the urinary system.

The first thing the owner must do is to remove from the pet's diet foods that promote stone formation (fish, dairy products), in no case give spicy, salty and fatty foods.

The second thing is to give them something to drink. Cats are not big drinkers, but a lack of available water will make the situation much worse. Clean the litter box more often. Pets may refuse to go to the toilet again if the litter box is not cleaned. The cat becomes impatient, urine stagnates, crystallization and inflammation occurs.

Condition during the first time after surgery

Castration is a common and well-established veterinary surgery, which usually goes easily and does not involve complications. During this intervention, the animal's sex glands – testicles (testicles) – are removed. It is performed under general anesthesia. The operation is very simple and can be performed even by a student of the veterinary academy. However, the caring owner should still study the reviews and choose a well-proven veterinarian.

Before the operation, it is necessary to fully examine the animal. The cat must be vaccinated and healthy, without parasitic infestations. Examination is carried out to make sure that the animal has all organs and systems in order and it will normally tolerate anesthesia.

If no contraindications are found, the doctor sets a date for the operation.

The preparation for neutering is very simple. Like humans, cats should not eat for 12 hours before surgery. It is better not to give water for 3-4 hours. The operation takes a short time: about 10-15 minutes, of which most of the time is spent for the anesthesia to take effect. After the removal of the testes the animal is immediately handed to the owner. Specialists recommend to stay in the clinic for about half an hour after that. When the cat wakes up, it will try to move. At this time, bleeding may occur, so it is better if veterinarians are nearby.

Immediately after surgery, cats' thermoregulatory mechanisms are impaired due to anesthesia. Therefore, the animal should be kept warm during transportation from the clinic and at home. When traveling, you should put a hot pad in the carrier. At home, you should put something warm on the bed and avoid drafts.

How long the pet will bounce depends on the type of anesthesia. It may take from several hours to 1-2 days. During this period, the cat has impaired coordination of movements. The animal feels weak, he is nauseated, he is disoriented in space. Therefore, it is necessary to closely monitor the state of the cat, to show affection and care.

Possible problems

Castration is one of the most common and popular operations in veterinary practice. It is perfected in the smallest detail, and in itself is not too difficult. Interference with the body is minimal, so postoperative complications are extremely rare. However, surgery and especially the effects of anesthetics can still affect the functioning of the animal's body.

One of the most common problems is constipation. After castration, a cat may not empty his bowels for several days. This is a dangerous condition, since the feces contain toxic and harmful substances that, stagnating in the intestines, begin to poison the body. Therefore, constipation needs to be dealt with.

You can drop a couple of drops of vegetable oil into the cat's food, this will facilitate the movement through the intestines and the exit of the feces.

On no account should the animal be given human drugs to relieve constipation.

Diarrhea after anesthesia is quite rare. Most often this way the body reacts to a stressful situation. But sometimes it is a sign of the development of a bacterial infectious disease. If there are other symptoms of infection, the pet should be seen immediately.

If the cat had any chronic pathologies before the surgery, they may worsen during this period. The owner should closely monitor the condition of his cat and, if necessary, immediately contact the veterinarian.

The most dangerous complications usually begin to appear within two or three days after surgery. If this period has passed, and the cat began to eat, go to the toilet and generally behave as usual, then there is no reason to worry.

Technique of cat castration

When neutering an animal, local or general anesthesia is used. General anesthesia is carried out in two ways: inhalation and noninhalation:

• With the first method, anesthesia is done by inhaled air together with a narcotic mixture. Isoflurane, the safest agent, is often used for this purpose.

• In the second method, the drug is injected. In this case propofol is often used.

The local form of anesthesia is used less frequently. Epidural (nerve block) and infiltration (impregnation of tissues with the anesthetic agent) types of anesthesia are used.

How is the castration procedure performed?

• Six from the surgical site is removed.
• The skin of the scrotum is smeared with iodine.
• The skin over the testes is cut.
• With scissors or a scalpel the vaginal ligaments are crossed.
• The vaginal membrane is removed.
• The testis is extracted or a special thread is tied around the spermatic cord to form a knot and the sperm tube is amputated.
• The wound edges are treated with iodine.
• Identical actions are performed on the second organ.
• The edges of the operated tissues are not stitched, because the recovery is quick.

The rehabilitation period is no less responsible than the surgery itself, because various complications can occur. They are divided into two types:

• Early, occurring during surgery or in a short time afterwards. For example, bleeding or swelling.

• Late ones, occurring some time after castration. These include infectious lesions of the wound, divergence of sutures and anesthetic complications, causing exacerbation of various chronic diseases.

• Bleeding During or after an operation is performed. Occurs in animals with poor blood clotting, when bad instruments are used or when the wound edges are not properly connected. Bleeding arising from the vessels of the seminal cord is usually more severe than from the vessels of the scrotum, and the blood may flow in torrents. Hemostatic drugs are used for treatment, and the surgical site is given extra stitches, cold, and a pressure dressing.

• Swelling. One of the most common complications after castration surgery is swelling that occurs both in the scrotal area and extending to the abdominal wall. Slight swelling that occurs immediately after surgery is considered normal. Appeal to the doctor requires painful and hot to the touch swelling, which appeared within a few days after surgery. Treatment involves opening the sutures and treating the wound with antiseptic agents, followed by administration of antibiotics.

Why veterinarians, breeders and cat owners choose SEX BARRIER

SEX BARRIER is a bihormonal product. It contains two analogues of natural sex hormones. Due to this fact, the dose of active substances in the drug was reduced dozens of times compared to the monohormonal products. This allows us to delicately affect the body pet.

SEX BARIER is available in two forms: drops and pills. Choose which one suits your cat best and give it to him.

Proven by studies

Long-term use of the preparation strictly according to the instructions has not caused any problems with the health of the reproductive system organs. During the scientific studies of the preparation all participating cats subjected to SEX BARRIER were healthy – no abnormalities of the physiological norm were revealed. This is confirmed by the results of tests.

In general, the recommendations will be similar: do not let the cat jump or run, give water 2-3 hours after leaving anesthesia, feed it after 5-6 hours, monitor the timing of visits to the toilet.

The operated cat will be dressed in a blanket to protect the suture. Within a week or even ten days it can be removed only for the time of treatment of the suture. You do not have to take it off completely – you can untie some of the strings and bend the fabric. The size and look of the seam will depend on how the operation is performed. A classic surgery (if it was a planned sterilization without any additional health problems) will leave a stitch of about 1.5 cm. With laparoscopy there will be three small punctures on the abdomen. In recent years, sutures are increasingly being performed with self-absorbable sutures, so there is no need to remove them. It is usually recommended to treat the sutures with chlorhexidine. The stitches should be treated daily until they are completely healed.

Is something wrong?

If it has been 12 hours since surgery and your pet continues to refuse food and water, does not go to the toilet and remains lethargic, you need to take him to the doctor. Vomiting, trembling, a strong decrease or increase in temperature, bleeding, swelling of the suture, or enlargement of the abdomen of the operated cat are also reasons to go to the doctor. If you notice disturbing symptoms, see a specialist immediately!

Read also: How does a cat "tell" if it's in pain? and Essential Procedures for Cats: 9 Rules for 9 Lives.