How long does it take for a cat to recover from anesthesia after castration: the condition immediately after surgery, which should alert you

There are several reasons why your cat may need sedation or pain medication. This ranges from aggressiveness during veterinary examinations to invasive surgery. It is important to know that anesthesia, even general anesthesia, is relatively safe. Contrary to what many cat keepers believe, the mortality rate due to anesthesia is less than 0.5%. Once they leave the clinic, we worry about how long it takes them to recover from the anesthesia from surgery.

We ask, how long does anesthesia last in cats? We find out how much recovery time we can expect and look at possible complications with feline anesthesia.

How long does it take for a cat to recover from anesthesia?

The operation is performed in a clinic or at home. The animal's behavior seems strange in the first 5 or 6 hours after anesthesia. You can't leave him alone. At this time, the anesthetic effect ends and the animal’s postoperative sutures begin to hurt.

Urinary incontinence occurs, but this phenomenon is temporary and passes quickly. The pet's behavior returns to normal within one or two days. The exact time of residual effect of narcotic substances depends on the type of anesthesia, age and other individual characteristics of the animal. During this period, the pet needs the care of the owner.

What kind of anesthesia is given?

Castration of a cat is considered one of the simplest surgical interventions in veterinary practice. Mostly veterinarians resort to weak anesthesia. A medication is used that reduces the sensitivity of the pet for a certain period. It often takes 10 to 30 minutes for a cat to fall asleep quickly after administering the medicine. This time is directly related to the individual characteristics of a particular cat. The dosage of the medication is calculated by the veterinarian depending on the kitten’s body weight and age. According to data, animals that have a red coat are more resistant to anesthesia than cats with a different coat color, so they are often given a larger dose of pharmaceuticals.

Features of inhalation anesthesia

Inhalation anesthesia is the sound sleep of an animal (general anesthesia), which is achieved due to gaseous substances entering the respiratory tract in certain doses and concentrations.

From the respiratory tract, through the pulmonary circulation, the drug used enters the brain, gently inducing reliable, controlled sleep.

Thus, the volatile substance used does not enter the systemic circulation, which means that inhalation anesthesia cannot have a negative effect on the internal organs of the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Upon completion of the gas supply, the drug easily leaves the parts of the brain in a matter of minutes, then returns through the pulmonary circulation to the lungs and is exhaled outward.

Therefore, after such anesthesia, the animals are taken home in full consciousness. After just a couple of hours, the pet moves confidently, leads its normal lifestyle and may ask for food.

Little patient at an appointment with a veterinarian-anesthesiologist

Hence the conclusion: the volatile drug used does not linger in the animal’s body, and therefore does not cause serious consequences during the recovery period. This fact minimizes the time spent on care and makes it easier for the owner to care for the pet.

The cat behaves aggressively: we are looking for the reason

In fact, by nature, domesticated felines are affectionate and playful. All you have to do is pet the fluffy sissy, and he will jump onto your lap and announce his good-natured attitude with a loud purr. What to do if the picture observed by the owners every day is far from the described idyll, and the residents of the apartment have to fight to win their personal space and avoid the pet? Most often, a cat’s aggressive behavior is a problem whose roots go deep into your pet’s childhood. If he grew up in an environment of warmth and care, you will not have to deal with anger and hissing in response to the desire to play or pet the cat. However, there are cases in which an unpleasant character trait directly depends on the breed.

What else can influence a pet's behavior? Here are some interesting facts that confirm that anger cannot be without cause.

White cats are considered one of the most aggressive. Why? They say that this feature of their behavior is associated with the predominance of Angora blood.

Angoras themselves often suffer from deafness. This feature affects their character - they constantly feel unprotected (they cannot hear the approach of the offender), so they are always on guard.

The capriciousness and willfulness of seals and cats of all breeds in most cases can be explained quite simply: animals do not like being treated with familiarity. Young children should be especially careful: children often forget about everything in the world and selflessly squeeze their pet, not even realizing that they can cause him pain or discomfort.

It should be explained to the child in advance: a cat is not a toy, but a living creature, and it must be treated with respect and attention.

How cats recover from anesthesia after castration - features of the condition

The process of recovery from anesthesia is individual. Some pets behave aggressively, others wake up slowly and remain lethargic for a long time. An inexperienced pet owner runs the risk of being bitten or scratched.

The side effect of drugs is prolonged disorientation in space and impaired coordination of movements. To prevent the consequences of physical activity, the cat is placed in a place from which it cannot fall. The best option is to leave it in a carrier for a while, in a warm, dry place without drafts and away from heating radiators.

Be sure to read: Complications after castration of a cat: causes, types, symptoms and treatment, when you need to see a doctor

Positive aspects of the operation

Those owners of domestic cats who have finally decided to neuter their pet often ask whether there are any positive aspects to this operation. In fact, there are quite a few of them:

• the cat stops marking its territory (in some animals this function does not completely disappear, but marks appear much less frequently, and their smell becomes less pungent);
• cat “concerts” are stopped;
• the animal becomes calmer, aggression disappears;
• friendly relations are established between him and other animals in the house;
• the cat, having lost interest in the opposite sex, becomes more attached to the owner and plays with children with great pleasure.

Obesity, which so often accompanies castration, is not at all inevitable. This is not a complication or a consequence of the operation, but just errors in nutrition - by the way, easily eliminated.

In order for your pet to remain in excellent shape after castration, do not neglect the advice of veterinarians: fewer calories and more exercise. Health to you and your pets!

What is anesthetic risk?

No matter how experienced the surgeon and anesthesiologist are, there is always the possibility of complications, even death. Anesthesia for cats is a serious burden primarily on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Minimizing anesthetic risks is the task of the veterinarian, who is obliged to individualize the standard regimen taking into account the characteristics of a particular cat. In many cases, the serious condition of a cat after anesthesia is a consequence of the use of drugs “at random”, without studying the condition of the mustachioed patient. To avoid problems, it is important to contact only competent specialists with an excellent reputation.

What are the disadvantages of these types of anesthesia?

When using inhalation anesthesia, the animal's blood vessels dilate, becoming saturated with gas. There may be a risk of a sharp drop in blood pressure. You need the presence of a specialist who monitors all indicators. In addition, if an endotracheal tube rather than a mask is used, there is no possibility of direct access to the respiratory organs. Therefore, this anesthesia method is not suitable for lung operations.

Parenteral anesthesia is dangerous due to its unpredictable effect on the respiratory system. The cat is intubated. This means that during operations on the respiratory organs it is fraught with the occurrence of dangerous situations. In addition, the drugs put a strain on the liver and kidneys.

Both types of anesthesia individually are more suitable for minor operations. If there is a major surgical procedure, anesthesia will most likely be combined or mixed. The first involves using different substances in stages. In the second, more than two drugs are used at once.

How to behave when a cat recovers from anesthesia, what to do?

The first three days of the pet should not be lost sight of. You need to monitor the healing process and do not let the cat lick the wound. Otherwise, infection and purulent inflammation are possible. To prevent licking, wear an Elizabethan collar. The seams are treated with products recommended by the veterinarian. If the cat quickly came to his senses, the wounds do not bother him, and they should not be treated again.

Clean water should be nearby at all times. If the animal wants to drink, but cannot do it, you need to wet the mouth with a syringe or pipette, but do not inject it forcibly. You cannot feed your pet on the first day.

An empty tray without filler is placed next to the convalescent person so that the animal does not clog the wound. The toilet should be cleaned daily, or even better after each visit. If the first bowel movements do not occur in the tray, there is no need to punish. It may be painful for a cat to climb. When the condition returns to normal, the habit of going to the toilet will be restored.

If a cat is soiled with urine, it should not be bathed. You should use refreshing wipes.

What to feed a sterilized cat

Immediately after surgery, the animal experiences psychological and physiological stress. Therefore, if a cat does not eat for 24 hours after sterilization, this is absolutely normal. Usually her appetite returns gradually. Everything is much worse when the cat does not drink for 7-8 hours after sterilization. She gradually begins to become increasingly dehydrated. If the animal still does not drink the next day, you should immediately contact the clinic. It is possible that the operation was not without complications, and therefore urgent medical intervention is required. For a weakened animal, the doctor will prescribe IVs and subcutaneous infusions that will combat dehydration.

When can you feed a cat after sterilization? Veterinarians recommend maintaining a fasting period for at least the first 12-16 hours after surgery.

In cases where the animal requires a large amount of food, it should still be limited in the first few days. This will help avoid unnecessary stress on the digestive organs.

The cat's diet after sterilization during the first week should consist of foods that will not cause problems with bowel movements. After them, she should easily go to the toilet. Unnecessary stress on the stitches due to constipation or diarrhea can significantly increase the healing process. So, for example, you could use the following:

1. Natural yogurt, low-fat yogurt or 10% cream.
2. Beef broth without fat and salt.
3. Raw or boiled egg.
4. Special canned food for animals after surgery.

In the first 3-4 days, meat and cereals should be completely excluded from the cat’s diet. If necessary, they can be replaced with baby meat puree with the addition of vegetables. Water should be given to the cat in unlimited quantities during this period. If your pet doesn’t drink much, you don’t need to force it to drink; perhaps it gets most of its liquid from liquid food.

Making up a diet

In animals undergoing surgery, the metabolic rate decreases and appetite increases. As a result, with an unbalanced diet, they develop obesity. Therefore, after you have sterilized your cat, you cannot return to normal nutrition. If you don’t have time to prepare natural food, you can use ready-made diets. Feeding a sterilized cat with industrial food is not as harmful as is commonly believed.

The main thing is not to use cheap economy class food. Its quality is very doubtful. In most cases, after consuming it, animals develop problems with digestion, liver and kidneys. It is advisable to purchase good premium cat food from veterinary pharmacies or specialized stores. This is the only way to completely eliminate fakes.

When creating a natural diet, preference should be given to lean beef or chicken breast. It is not recommended to feed pork and lamb. Feeding after surgery also has other features. For example, a sterilized cat should not be given fish, especially raw fish. It has a fairly high phosphorus content. In the urine, its salts can precipitate into an insoluble precipitate, which leads to the development of urolithiasis.

Also, when eating natural foods, you should definitely include a small amount of vegetables in your diet. For example, you can use cabbage, zucchini or pumpkin. It’s rare that a cat will eat them on its own. Therefore, puree is prepared from vegetables, which is mixed with minced meat.

Vitamins should also be present in the diet of a sterilized pet. For this, it is most convenient to use specialized vitamin complexes. To choose the most suitable one, it is best to contact a veterinarian.

Fermented milk products should be given several times a week. For example, low-fat cottage cheese or kefir. The lactic acid bacteria they contain will promote normal digestion.

Inhalation anesthesia for rodents and ferrets

The most delicate pets at Alisavet are given inhalation anesthesia.
All three stages of creating gas anesthesia are carried out on these animals. However, there are small peculiarities here.

Inhalation anesthesia for small rodents is also carried out after premedication. In hamsters and rats, a tube is not inserted into the trachea, so the gas mixture enters through a special mask.

Ferrets and large rodents (guinea pigs, rabbits) are first given premedication, after which an intravenous catheter is installed, and then a gas mixture is also supplied using special masks.

03/09/18 Anesthesia for rabbits. Inhalation (gas) anesthesia

Cat after anesthesia: 6 signs that should alert the owner

A conscientious owner takes a vacation while caring for a neutered cat. Despite the simplicity of the operation, your pet may experience complications for a number of reasons.

The following are symptoms that may require veterinary attention:

1. Low or high body temperature. The norm for cats is from 37.5 to 39.0 °C. The veterinary surgeon who performed the operation will tell you how often you need to measure your temperature. The problem is that anal measurement is painful. Therefore, purchase an ear or non-contact thermometer. The costs will pay off, since the need for thermometry will arise more than once during your life.
2. Refusal to drink for a day and food for more than three days. If the cat does not drink, the concentration of salts in the urine will increase, which can lead to sedimentation and the onset of urolithiasis. Some cats may go 3 or more days without drinking when fed wet, prepared, canned food or natural food. But after the operation, a day is considered an acceptable period. Perhaps refusal to drink indicates intoxication, in which vomiting occurs when food or water enters the stomach. A healthy cat can go without food for 5 days. But, for the speedy healing of wounds, the operated pet needs nutrients. On the second day, a third of the feed is given from the norm, and at the end of the week the consumption is brought up to the recommended value.
3. Stiffness in movements due to a feeling of interference in the perineum. This may be due to swelling of the sutures, but it is dangerous to act at your own risk.
4. Pain when stroking the abdomen. Probably, the infection entered the abdominal cavity during the operation, or after it with a sudden movement, peritonitis develops
5. Painful and difficult urination , accompanied by a plaintive meow.
6. Dehiscence of the suture, bleeding for 2-3 days or the appearance of purulent discharge.

Be sure to read:
A sterilized cat asks for a cat: reasons, when it is the norm, what to do, how to avoid

General information about castration

Castration is an operation to remove the testicles in a male and the ovaries and uterus in a female. The procedure is always performed under general anesthesia, as it involves dissection of the scrotal tissue. However, general anesthesia is a broad concept, since it can use different drugs and approaches.

Note! Castration and sterilization are different concepts. Castration removes the reproductive organs and neutering is a method of rendering an animal infertile.

The classic method of castration involves minimally invasive intervention. Typically, the operation takes 10–15 minutes. During this time, the veterinarian makes an incision along the white line of the scrotum and, with gentle pressure, pushes the testis out. Next, the veterinarian pulls out the spermatic cord and:

• He cuts it, having previously bandaged it below the incision site.

• He ties it with a knot and cuts above it.

• He burns the tissue with special forceps (similar to a hair curling iron) and cuts the cord in the “dried” gap.

The same procedure is repeated on the second testis. In theory, everything looks complicated, but in practice the procedure happens quickly. Any veterinarian can perform castration, or rather, such a procedure does not require much experience. However, we recommend that you entrust your pets only to experienced doctors, since any intervention may result in complications.

To eliminate the risks associated with anesthesia and rehabilitation, it is necessary to examine your pet before castration. If you go to the clinic for a preliminary consultation, the doctor will most likely prescribe a set of standard procedures.

Blood tests - general and detailed. A general blood test shows the level of hemoglobin, leukocytes, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Biochemical analysis is usually taken for liver parameters. If hemoglobin is low, before castration, the cat is treated for anemia. If the level of leukocytes is higher, a virus or infection is already raging in the pet’s body, which needs to be cured before surgery. Rapid sedimentation of erythrocytes indicates that the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body are dying. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, but they need to be identified and eliminated before castration.

Liver tests reflect the condition of the liver, or more precisely, its ability to cope with abnormal load. Almost all drugs that are administered before and after surgery will be removed (filtered) from the blood by the liver.

Is it necessary to use general anesthesia for dogs and other animals?

Knowing the serious consequences, you always want to bypass general anesthesia, namely, make it local - acting in a specific part of the body. But, this is only possible for minor procedures: stitching up the skin for minor damage, removing a tiny growth, or trimming an ingrown claw.

But before sterilization, it’s definitely not possible to do only epidural anesthesia. Animals are not people, and they certainly will not lie motionless until the end of the operation. And the reason for this is fear.

And it will also not be possible to properly brush your teeth without general anesthesia - the pet is so stressed that not a single local anesthesia will keep a panicking animal on the doctor’s table.

Therefore, for operations and many procedures, pets need to use general anesthesia, and sometimes complex.

Behavior Change: Aggression and Marking

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Changes in character are especially noticeable in aggressive pets, because after castration aggression disappears

There is an opinion that after castration the animal becomes lethargic and lazy, but this is not so, if you do not make it obese and pay attention, then this will not happen

It should be noted that castrated animals are better trained, because they become more focused.

Neutered pets are less likely to want to go outside, and this reduces the chance that the pet will get hit by a car, get poisoned, or be harmed by stray animals. A neutered pet will also communicate with other cats; the operation will not make him an outcast. At the same time, he will begin to treat other animals calmly, without aggression, which makes it possible to have another pet.

If he walks and reproduces, he will thereby increase the number of stray animals on the streets. For cats, mating is simply a method of continuing their biological species, and without experiencing sexual desire, they live without suffering. It will be much worse for your pet if you don’t let him go for a walk or give him pills.

• Getting rid of meowing during the mating season;
• Character improves, activity manifests itself;
• The likelihood of diseases occurring is reduced;
• The likelihood of an accident with a pet while walking is reduced;
• Aggression towards other animals disappears;
• Easier to train;
• Stops marking territory.

Almost all cat owners whose pets have undergone removal of the testes note how much the character of their pets has improved. Of course, if the cat was affectionate and gentle before the operation, he will remain so after it. But aggressive specimens, on the contrary, become much calmer, balanced and flexible. If previously communication with the owner was limited only to bites and scratches, then after castration such a cat can be petted almost without fear.

Castration does not affect the character of a young animal operated on at an early age. The cat will remain as playful and cheerful as it was before the operation, and, what is especially pleasant, will retain this character trait until old age. All that is required from the owners is to take part in his endless games and pranks or get him a companion - not necessarily a cat!

The situation is different with animals that were castrated at a fairly mature age, whose character has had time to fully develop. After castration, they become too phlegmatic for active games, preferring to spend time in a blissful slumber, basking in the sun or curling up in a secluded corner.

Such cats, whose body does not receive enough physical activity, may develop problems with the heart and joints, especially if they are overweight. This especially often affects cats of the British breed, whose phlegmatic nature has become the talk of the town. To maintain the health of your pet, try at every opportunity to stir him up and involve him in a fun game. And when the weather permits, put a harness on him and go for a walk. It will benefit both him and you!

How long can a cat have a fever after castration?

After castration, as after any surgical intervention, it is necessary to monitor body temperature. In the first hours it may drop below 37 °C. This is explained by stress, blood loss, and slowing of metabolism under the influence of anesthesia. The cat may shiver, so it should be well wrapped.

The advice to cover your pet with heating pads is questionable, as it promotes bleeding. The temperature should return to normal within 24 hours. If hypothermia continues for the second day, you should inform your veterinarian.

But, on the first day the temperature can rise to 40 °C. If no other pathological symptoms are noticed, there is no need to worry. But when a pet has a fever 4 or more days after surgery, veterinary care is necessary: ​​an inflammatory process develops. You should not give your cat antipyretic medications, since their effect on humans and cats is different.

Dangerous consequences

An animal should definitely be taken to the vet if it produces blood when trying to urinate.
It is important for the owner to monitor the condition of the animal. The following conditions are considered unsafe:

• a serious increase or decrease in body temperature;
• change in heart rhythm;
• immobility for more than 12 hours after surgery;
• lack of pupillary reaction to light;
• severe vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours;
• constipation for 3 days;
• pain during bowel movements;
• presence of blood impurities in urine;
• discharge of pus from wounds.

Important Takeaways

Some operations are performed only once in a lifetime (sterilization of a dog, sterilization of a cat, castration of a male or female cat), so let this surgical intervention be carried out in excellent conditions and with fully controlled anesthesia.

Take the time to find a veterinary clinic that offers gas anesthesia, and don’t skimp on traveling if the chosen facility is far from you. It's worth it!

Easy awakening after inhalation anesthesia

And if any procedure (for example, brushing teeth) or surgery (for injuries and other pathologies) must be performed more than once for forced reasons, then choosing inhalation anesthesia at some point may simply save the life of your cat or dog.

Does anesthesia harm a cat's body?

This type of operation is performed under the influence of Propofol.
According to veterinarian E. Kornyushenkov, general anesthesia does not affect the life expectancy of a pet. Before the operation, the cat is examined by a doctor and assesses its health. Since the operation is performed once in a lifetime, the dose of anesthesia does not significantly affect vital organs. The most dangerous drugs are considered to be “Chloroform” and “Ftorotan”, which have a very negative effect on cardiac activity, but they are no longer used in veterinary medicine. To sterilize or groom a cat, Propofol or Vetafol in combination with analgesics is most often prescribed. These are high-quality drugs, but occasionally side effects may occur in the form of a decrease in blood pressure or respiratory arrest. Anesthesia affects the body in this way:

• metabolism slows down;
• temperature decreases;
• breathing becomes rare;
• hypertension or hypotension is observed;
• heart rhythm is disturbed.

Abnormal stool

After surgery, the cat's intestinal function may be disrupted and constipation or diarrhea may appear, which is accompanied by pain and brings additional suffering to the animal. You need to pay attention to the following signs:

• refusal to eat;
• plaintive meow;
• absence of acts of defecation;
• periodically appearing trembling of the back of the body.

If your cat is constipated, you need to purchase a laxative for her on the recommendation of a veterinarian and change her diet. At home, you can use regular Vaseline.

Diarrhea occurs after exposure to toxins contained in anesthesia . In this case, the cat should limit drinking and feeding and use medication prescribed by the veterinarian. At home you can drink rice water.

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Sterilization and post-operative care of a cat

Sterilization (castration) operation – if you decide to have a sterilization operation for your pet, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the recommendations for caring for your cat after the operation, because the postoperative period is the most important, and it falls on your shoulders. After the operation, the veterinarian must tell you about all the intricacies of caring for the animal after anesthesia.

Read: Sterilizing a cat

Here is a list of our recommendations that will definitely be useful to you.

Preparing a cat for surgery

Almost all difficulties that arise in the postoperative period are in one way or another associated with weak immunity. Therefore, before the operation it is necessary to take some measures to strengthen it. No later than a month before the planned date of the operation, the cat should be vaccinated against various viral diseases, and 10 days before, the animal should be given a drug against helminths.

2-3 days before surgery, you need to donate the cat’s blood and urine for analysis, as well as do an ultrasound examination of the heart muscle and respiratory organs. On the day of the operation, the cat should not be given food under any circumstances, and 3 hours before the procedure, drinking is completely excluded.

First hours

The first days of the postoperative period are considered critical, during which the owner must monitor the cat’s condition. When you arrive home, you need to place your pet on the floor in a quiet place, away from heating radiators and drafts. You should not place a sleeping cat on the bed; it may fall and hurt itself.

Typical cat behavior after anesthesia is a cocktail of mixed negative emotions. Gradually coming to its senses, the cat looks deeply unhappy, constantly tries to go somewhere, staggers, has difficulty holding its head up, crashes into walls, and cannot get into the doorway. It’s painful and scary to watch, your heart aches with pity, but it’s important to pull yourself together and realize that all this is the norm. Until muscle tone is restored, you need to hold your pet, not allowing it to wander around the apartment or jump on the furniture: affection, quiet conversations and light stroking will certainly help, unless the pet shows aggression.

Sudden aggression in a cat after anesthesia is also normal. The pet is disoriented, her paws do not obey her, it is difficult to concentrate, calculate the distance, and it is difficult to assess the situation as a whole. The cat is frightened, tries to climb higher or hide deep under the bed, and the owner not only does not allow her privacy, but also constantly climbs with a thermometer, feels her nose, ears, and intrudes in every possible way. How can you not get angry? To reduce emotional pressure, you should close the curtains, ask your family to be quieter and once again not approach the cat, observing its actions from the side.

What affects the cat's condition after surgery?

A week is an average indicator, and you should not rely only on it. Some pets have a hard time with any type of surgery, and some begin to run already on the second day.

Among the signs affecting the cat's condition are:

• Age. The older the animal, the more difficult it is for it to withstand the intervention of a surgeon;
• Type of procedure. For example, if the surgery is an emergency, recovery may take longer;
• Type of anesthesia. Some medications may make the kitten's condition worse.

Thus, when thinking about the question of how long a cat is sick after sterilization, it is worth taking into account the factors listed above and drawing a conclusion.