Preparing a Cat for Surgery and Recovery

Melissa
Sep 29
4 min read

Known for their unique coat patterns, cats are highly popular and well-liked. With a brilliant and active nature, these breeds require special care when being handled.

For veterinary professionals, preparing a cat for surgery can require more than the standard procedure. A good understanding of this breed’s unique behavioral traits can be helpful in pre-operative assessment.

In this article, we will explain how to prepare a cat for surgery and recovery, including pre-surgical, anesthetic, and postoperative care:

Cat Behavioral Traits

Cats have a lot of curiosity and sensitivity. Unfamiliar places like veterinary clinics can make these cats feel fearful. It’s easy for them to detect any unusual changes in their routine. This can further complicate preoperative evaluations for veterinarians.

Let’s explore how this can be made easier:

Stress Response: Since cats have high energy levels, they can become reactive during exams or restraint. They might try to escape or get defensive under assessment.
Handling: It is best to handle these cats with a gentle touch and minimal restraint. Feline pheromone diffusers may also help in providing a more comfortable environment.
Anxiety and Confinement Issues: Cats tend to avoid hospitalization cages and kennels, since they are unfamiliar territory. Long periods of confinement can lead to showing stress through aggression and pacing.

Provide visual barriers and hiding areas for the cat to help ease these issues.

Pre-Surgical Assessment of Cats

Pre-surgical assessment and anesthetic planning are crucial before a cat surgery for veterinarians. Here is how veterinary professionals can avoid common problems when performing these assessments:

To help confirm the overall health and organ functions, perform a detailed physical examination. This should be closely followed by blood testing, such as CBC, etc.
Cats tend to be more sensitive to anesthetics like ketamine, for example. Select the dosage of medication according to the breed’s most common health risks.
Keep your team updated on the risk factors. Keep monitoring vital signs closely during anesthesia and after surgery as well.
Other than creating a comfortable environment, you can also prescribe pre-visit anxiolytics (if needed). These medicines can help calm a cat down before surgery and avoid anxiety.

Postoperative Monitoring for Cats

Cats need postoperative monitoring due to their genetic predisposition to health risks, such as hyperkalaemia and cardiac issues. Here’s how to manage postoperative care:

Recovery Status: Veterinarians should often check heart rate, temperature, and mucous membrane color after cat surgeries. Before allowing water and food intake, you should check if the cat is awake and doing well.

Pain Management: After checking for signs of pain or swelling, offer pain relief for cats after surgery if needed. Cats can hide their discomfort well, so a thorough postoperative checkup can offer clarity.

Behavior: Large cats can recover quickly compared to other cats after surgery. Allow them a recovery downtime of 24 hours in a quiet and calm place.

Home Recovery Instructions for Cats

Cats require a care routine and a calming environment after surgery. To ensure this, pet owners need to be instructed on home postoperative recovery. This list below can help:

Prevent Licking: Veterinary professionals should recommend an Elizabethan collar to stop cats from licking at the incision area. Monitoring the surgical site daily for signs of swelling and discharge can also ensure safety post-surgery.

Place Limitations: Cats require a calming, comfortable environment for a safe recovery. They must remain indoors for 7 to 14 days after surgery. This lessens the chance of unnecessary running or jumping that can irritate the surgery site.

Treatment Medication: Pet owners should follow the prescribed antibiotics or other medications as needed, but also watch out for signs of unusual behavior in their cat. Provide your emergency contact and instructions on when to administer the drugs.

Conclusion

Preparing a cat for surgery calls for quality post-operative care and assessment. Due to their sensitive nature, they require special treatment and understanding. As a veterinarian, your continuing education (CE) plays an important role in performing surgery on various cat breeds, including cats.

Veterinary CE events can teach professionals to not only adapt to the challenging traits of different cat breeds, but also to prepare for surgery and aftercare. The upcoming VSN Veterinary Expo, happening on 6 August 2025, powered by DVM Central, is another such event, allowing veterinarians to gain deeper knowledge of veterinary surgical tools. This veterinary expo is also giving away one RACE-approved CE credit and free discounts for veterinary professionals. Gain an understanding of the latest veterinary products and tools by joining this online event.

Overall, cats need attentive home recovery care and activity restriction to support healing after surgery. Veterinary professionals should always guide pet owners on the risks involved in the surgery and how to administer aftercare.

FAQs

What special considerations should be taken when anesthetizing cats?

Anesthetic agents, especially ketamine, should be administered with care. Blood work and cardiac evaluation are usually needed preoperatively.

How should pain be managed in cats during and after surgery?

Since cats tend to avoid showing pain, using multimodal analgesia solutions can prove to be effective.

What are the risks of anesthesia-related complications in cats compared to other breeds?

Common risks involve cardiac issues, respiratory depression, hypothermia, and more. Cats have a genetic predisposition to heart disease. This is why veterinary professionals must administer anesthetics with attentive care.