What to Expect When You Have Your Kitten Spayed
If you acquired a female kitten, you likely want to bring her to a veterinarian to be spayed so she cannot have kittens of her own. Most people will bring their kitten to a veterinarian right away so they can get started with immunizations and discuss the spaying procedure.
Here are some tips you can use to help in keeping your cat comfortable before and after an appointment to have her spayed.
Ask the Doctor About Arrangements Beforehand
Make sure to ask the veterinarian who will be performing the surgery about any specifics you need to adhere to regarding the care of your cat in the hours before the procedure. Since your cat will be having anesthesia, it will be extremely important that she does not eat or drink for several hours beforehand. Give your pet a meal an hour or so before the cutoff time. Your veterinarian will provide you with specific details regarding this matter.
It is also a good idea to find out how long the cat will be under the veterinarian's care so you can make arrangements to go back for a pickup at the requested time.
Provide Comfort to Your Feline After the Procedure
When you pick up your kitten after the procedure, she may appear lethargic or woozy. Allow her to rest without worry when you arrive home. Keep others away from the cat so it can rest comfortably without loud noises or disruption. It may take a day or two until your kitten will be able to jump up on surfaces. For this reason, place a soft blanket on the floor for her to use for slumber time.
Keep Your Cat from Biting Her Incision
In the first few days after your cat is spayed, she may lick or bite at her incision. Some veterinarians will use the traditional method in stitching the incision with thread that needs to be removed, while others use dissolving sutures that do not require you to have a subsequent visit. Regardless of the method used, it is important to try to keep your cat from obsessively licking or biting the wound.
You can try to distract your kitten with treats or petting sessions. In severe cases, a plastic cone can be placed around your cat's head if she does not leave the incision alone. Your veterinarian would be able to provide this to you if necessary.
For more information on the procedure, contact services like Evergreen Veterinary Clinic.