Spaying or neutering is a very common intervention in veterinary clinics, but it continues to be a source of concern and, above all, of doubt for many caregivers.
It is common to wonder what happens once our cat leaves the operating room, how it will be found and how we can help it recover as soon as possible. In other words, if you're wondering what is the care of a sterilized cat, we'll explain the most important ones in the next article on our site.
Postoperative care for sterilized cats
The first thing we need to know is that cats don't deal with surgery like humans do. In other words, they are not going to be worried about possible complications nor do they usually show discomfort once they return home. Now, that does not mean that we can ignore them. In fact, we're going to have to control his movements, medicate and do cures for about a week. It should also be borne in mind that the operation in females, which usually consists of removing the uterus and ovaries, is longer and more complex than that of males, whose testicles are outside the abdominal cavity.
In any case, the first step after the operation is to pick up the cat and take it home. The recommendation is that the transfer be done when the animal has completely eliminated anesthesia, has urinated and is fully awake and alert. Many will go home and act as if nothing had happened, but even so, they must receive a series of special care during the first days to avoid complications such as the loss of stitches. They are as follows:
- Follow the vet's instructions to the letter and, if you have any questions or concerns, contact him. It's his job. Usually, they ask you to clean the wound once a day, give them some medication, such as an analgesic, and return to the clinic to remove the stitches.
- It is common for the cat, especially the female cat, to wear an Elizabethan collarafter the operation. For many of them it is a highly stressful, but it prevents the incision from being reached and the stitches being pulled out, which would probably require re-sedation and suturing, delaying the recovery of the newly sterilized cat. If your cat becomes very overwhelmed, you can ask the vet for other alternatives to protect the area, such as mesh, or remove it for as long as you can be aware of the cat to stop it if it tries to touch the wound.
- Until the vet releases the cat cannot go outside, if that was the case. Logically, we cannot let him go with the Elizabethan on and without him we run the risk of taking off the points. Also, he might not go back on the medication
- Another factor that makes us have to keep it at home is activity. Especially in the case of cats, it is not recommended that they jump or do sudden exercises, since the incision must be completely closed beforehand to avoid risks.
- You can offer him water as soon as you get home and if everything is fine, feed him too.
- Avoid stressing him out while he is recovering, that is, it is not a good time to introduce changes in his routine.
- Watch for any signs of concern, such as stopping eating, not moving, or the wound is red, open, or oozing. Don't wait to call the vet. Some cats may initially be a bit more upright than normal due to the stress of the vet visit, handling, the Elizabethan, etc. It is not worrisome if there are no other signs and they perk up in 24-48 hours.
Feed for sterilized cats
Surely you've heard that sterilized cats gain weight. And it's true that their metabolism changes and that can make them gain weight, but they'll also get fat if they exercise less or we keep feeding them kitten food.
Wondering what you can feed your recently sterilized cat? Well, the best is a food adapted to their new condition, such as the Lenda range specifically for sterilized cats. Lenda Light Sterilized Cat Food is a low-fat option, helping to control potential weight gain. The recipe includes chicken meat, fish, omega 3 and omega 6, vegetables, medicinal herbs and functional foods. Give only the amount that the manufacturer marks, you will see that your cat stays in perfect condition.
When to feed a sterilized cat?
As soon as we pick up our recently sterilized cat or cat, the vet will tell us when we can start giving him food to start his recovery. What is recommended is start by giving him water, as we have already indicated. If the cat answers correctly, then we can move on to its usual food.
If you want to make a change of food, it is preferable to start the next day so as not to stress the recently sterilized cat. And if the feline refuses to eat, try its favorite can or food.
How to clean the wound of a sterilized cat?
Another point that often raises doubts when knowing the care after neutering a male cat is the management of the wound. Our main job is to prevent the cat from accessing it, but the first few days we will usually also have to disinfect it as a preventive measure. It is enough that once a day we apply some disinfectant, such as chlorhexidine. We can do it by wetting a gauze pad and dabbing it along the incision. In any case, it will be the veterinarian who will give us the instructions for cleaning in the specific case of our cat.
How to treat the wound of a sterilized cat?
The cat's wound can be healed exactly the same that we have explained for the males. Some veterinarians leave it in the air from the first moment, while others cover it up and we will be the ones at home who must remove the gauze and start making the cures until the wound closes. Likewise, the veterinarian will give us precise indications in this regard.
How long does it take for a spayed cat's stitches to fall off?
In general, the stitches are removed by the vet about 7-10 days after the operation if all goes well. It is enough time for healing. In any case, there are different techniques and some veterinarians suture only internally, so that we will not see stitches on the outside and it will not be necessary to remove anything.
Other care for newly neutered cats
Finally, once our cat is discharged he will lead a completely normal life, but it is true that we must monitor some aspects to guarantee his well-being. As we move forward, the changes in your metabolism resulting from the operation may cause you to gain weight. In addition, cats tend to be sterilized before the year, so it is common for them to still consume kitten food, which is more fatty. If we continue with that diet, we increase the risk of gaining weight.
On the other hand, she may reduce her activity, first because she is no longer a kitten and second because she no longer feels the urge to run away during heat. That's why it's important that we don't just change his food, but set aside time every day to encourage him to exercise and provide him with a home where can develop the activities that are natural to him, such as climbing, scratching, jumping, etc. It is what is known as environmental enrichment and prevents stress and sedentary lifestyle.
With all this, we not only improve his he alth by operating on him, since castration prevents such serious problems as breast tumors or uterine infections, but we also maintain his weight. Keep in mind that obesity is not just an aesthetic issue. It favors the appearance of some diseases and aggravates others, affecting the quality and reducing the life expectancy of our feline.
