home Thyroid How long does a cat need to wear a blanket? Proper care of a cat after sterilization surgery. Feeding a sterilized pet

How long does a cat need to wear a blanket? Proper care of a cat after sterilization surgery. Feeding a sterilized pet

Sterilization of domestic cats is an extremely important operation that contributes to a steady reduction in the number of stray animals. As a rule, the operation is easy and does not take up much of the veterinarian’s time. The only problem is in the postoperative period. In order for your pet to endure the consequences of surgery without consequences, a cat blanket is often needed after sterilization.

A blanket is a tight “cover” placed over the stomach of an operated cat.

It serves several purposes at once:

Protects the postoperative wound from contamination by pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora.

The blanket prevents the animal from trying to scratch and lick its belly. This is a reflexive behavior of a cat trying to speed up the healing process. But in practice, constant licking of the wound leads to the exact opposite result.

Also, a pressure bandage pulls the edges of the wound together, which promotes healing by primary intention. Simply put, regeneration in this place will go faster, and not so many reserves of the animal’s body will be spent on it.

A properly applied and high-quality blanket does not allow the muscular wall of the abdominal wall to stretch too much and weaken. This prevents the belly from sagging in the future.

Blanket for cats from improvised means

It is quite possible to make a blanket with your own hands. This often does not require special cutting and sewing skills. The thing is that it is quite possible to make a bandage from scrap materials. Below we will look at the main options suitable for owners who are not at ease with tailoring skills.

Advice! Regardless of the type of homemade blanket, there is one proven, reliable remedy that prevents the bandage from becoming contaminated with ichor and other wound secretions. We are talking about ordinary... sanitary pads (without flavoring additives). They can easily be slipped under a blanket. In addition, the gaskets are just as easily and quickly replaced with new ones.

Please note that hygiene products should be changed every day. In addition, it is recommended to carry out air baths daily, freeing the cat's stomach from the blanket. This approach promotes rapid healing of the postoperative wound.

Pantyhose blanket

A tights bandage is the simplest option that does not require any special resources. Please note that you should not use “stale” tights: after all, the postoperative area requires complete sterility.

It is also worth looking for a product with increased density: such a “cover” will fit the cat’s body more tightly. In addition, a blanket made of thick tights will simply last longer.

It’s very simple to make: cut a piece of tights 20 centimeters long and pull it over the cat’s belly. In general, that's all. The technique has its pros and cons.

pros

Any breeder can handle making such a blanket; you don’t need to sew anything.
Many people have tights; there will be no need to spend extra money.
There is no need to adjust anything to fit, no ties or other “fasteners” are needed.
Tights are quite elastic and soft, and therefore many cats quickly get used to them, and therefore do not try to take off unusual clothes every few minutes.

Minuses

Tights cannot be properly secured to a cat’s body; they will inevitably slide down and curl up.
If the animal has at least some claws (and they probably do), it only needs to scratch itself a couple of times for your entire structure to immediately be torn to shreds.
When your pet is young and compact in size, tights may not fit tightly around her belly. This problem can be partly solved by selecting a product with a higher density.
In addition, nylon gets dirty quickly, so the owner will have to either regularly wash the blankets or constantly cut new tights. There is not much convenience in this.

Sock blankets without ties

The principle of sock blankets is exactly the same as in the case of tights. You need to find a sock of a suitable size (given the abundance of sizes, this is quite simple), and then cut off a piece of its front part so that the cat’s body can be inserted into the resulting “pipe”.

pros

There are plenty of socks on sale in all sizes and all qualities. You can choose suitable “clothes” for both adult cats and six-month-old pets that are not large in body size.
Considering the low cost of the original “raw materials,” you can buy new socks every day, and therefore there is no special need to wash them.
The fabric of the socks is quite dense, but at the same time quite elastic. Such a blanket will stay on the cat’s body much better and is less prone to folding.
A bandage without ties is more convenient; you don’t have to constantly struggle with tightly tightened knots.
The socks have quite acceptable strength, and therefore the cat is unlikely to be able to tear them quickly.

Minuses

Still, a sock without ties and Velcro is not the best solution when you need to swaddle a fairly active pet. The cat will probably be able to pull off the blanket, and therefore you will have to carefully monitor it, not giving it a chance to lick and comb the area of the post-operative wound.

Avoid cheap socks, as they are often made from low-quality fabrics and may fade. Getting dyes into the wound channel left after surgery is unlikely to lead to anything good.

Blanket from old children's clothes

If you still have old blouses or vests, you can use them to create blankets. You just need to choose clothes that fit tightly enough on the cat’s body without interfering with the animal’s physical activity.

By the way, a blanket can even be made from the sleeve of a child’s or adult’s shirt. The principle in this case is the same as with a bandage made of tights and socks.

pros

If you can find the right clothes, you won’t have to buy anything either.
Children's clothes for the little ones already have buttons or ties, which will save the owner from the need to make and adjust them independently. It is especially good when the chosen blouse has ties, since you can ideally select the tightening of the blanket, focusing on the size and physique of a particular animal.

Minuses

Not everyone has children, and not every cat breeder will have stocks of old children's clothing. But buying something like that for a cat is stupid.
Dressing a cat in children's clothes can be difficult, and the animal often becomes nervous because it is uncomfortable.
It is unlikely that the owner of a pet operated on at six months of age will be able to find anything suitable.

Advice. If your pet is not particularly impressive in size, you can look for suitable... doll clothes. Of course, it must be of high quality, made from cotton fabrics.

Towel blankets

Perhaps one of the most common and popular options, showing decent efficiency. Note that for making blankets it is best to use simple cotton towels (you can use “waffle” towels, but soft ones).

The method of use is simple: you need to cut holes in a piece of fabric for the cat’s paws, and then bring the edges of the towel together on the animal’s back. To achieve reliable fastening of the blanket, you will need to sew on the ties.

pros

There is definitely a towel in everyone’s home.
Attaching ties to the edges of towels doesn't require any special sewing talent, as it only requires a couple of stitches.

Minuses

The fabric of towels does not always have sufficient elasticity, and therefore the bandage gradually “looses”.
Usually the fabric of towels does not have sufficient density, and therefore it is not always possible to sew ribbons for ties to it well. This leads to the fact that the latter constantly come off. Attempts to replace them lead nowhere, since the fabric is already greatly weakened and torn.

We sew a blanket for a cat with our own hands

Despite all the advantages of homemade blankets from improvised means, they also have quite significant disadvantages. In particular, it can be difficult to choose an individual size, and not everything is good with the materials.

The only way out (unless, of course, the owner wants to buy a ready-made option) is to sew the blanket yourself. This is not difficult to do, even if you don’t have much sewing experience.

Taking measurements for a pattern

To know what size the blanket should be, you must first take all the necessary measurements (using a measuring tape, of course).

The pattern is drawn based on the following data:

Chest volume.
Body length (body only, no need to measure tail).
In addition, you need to take a measurement of the distance between the paws (between the front and between the hind).

Some breeders also advise measuring the coverage of the limbs themselves, but this, in our opinion, is unnecessary. The fact is that this information is needed to accurately calculate the length of the ribbons, but it can be determined by eye.

Below we give an approximate view of the pattern. Using the measurements of your pet, you need to transfer it to measuring paper. The diagram below clearly shows where exactly the ribbons that serve to secure the blanket to the animal’s body need to be sewn. If the owner is comfortable with a needle and thread, he can make a blanket with Velcro. They are much more convenient.

Advice. When copying a pattern, do not forget that you should add about a centimeter to all measurements. This is necessary in cases where the edges will be stitched during sewing. If Velcro is used instead of ties, you need to increase the width of the blanket by about three or five centimeters.

There is no special need for “cross stitching”. If the cat owner does not know how to sew at all, no one forbids simply transferring the contours of the pattern onto the fabric and then cutting out the finished product. Of course, the strength and convenience of such a blanket will be lower, but the finished product will perform its functions in full.

Choosing fabric for blankets

The material for the bandage must meet the following requirements:

You need to choose a fabric that is soft and elastic enough, but at the same time not prone to strong stretching.
Under no circumstances should the material crumble, contaminating the postoperative wound with fibers and other debris. To test this characteristic, you need to take a small piece of material and tie it tightly. Good fabric will not tear and pieces of thread will not fly off.
In addition, we strongly advise against choosing dyed fabrics, since, despite all the assurances of the manufacturers, they can fade.

Velcro or ribbons: which is better?

A separate section should describe the process of choosing between Velcro and regular ribbons. Each owner is free to decide for himself which option is more suitable for his pet, since there is no consensus on this.

We will simply describe the positive and negative aspects of each type of fastener.

Pros of ribbons

They can be made from the same fabric, no need to buy anything extra.
Easier to sew.
The ties are unlikely to unravel spontaneously.

Cons of ribbons

The cat can cling to surrounding objects with them.
If the knot is too tight, it may be difficult to untie the ribbon.

Pros of Velcro

They are very comfortable. “Sticky” fasteners greatly simplify the process of putting on and taking off the blanket.
Such fasteners are very compact, the cat is guaranteed not to get caught on anything.

Disadvantages of Velcro

Additional financial expenses will be required.
Velcro quickly becomes dirty and loses its quality.
The cat can quickly learn how to unfasten them.

How to properly put on and tie a blanket on a cat

The postoperative bandage is worn correctly if it fits snugly to the pet’s body and does not dangle or sag.

Instructions:

The pet needs to be laid on its side (right or left - as is convenient for the owner).
The edges of the blanket are brought together and tied with ties, starting with the head ones.
And now - attention. The second garter is tied diagonally (crosswise) to the corresponding ends of the third. This is necessary for better fastening.
The belly ties are tied as usual.
The last and penultimate (not counting the area for the tail) fastenings are also tied diagonally.

The ties do not need to be pulled tight. The bandage should be worn so that it does not dangle or sag, but you can stick your little finger between it and the body. If you tighten the nodes, you can disrupt the local blood supply. Make sure that the edges of the ties are not too long.

How to remove a blanket and when to do it

The removal process is carried out in the same sequence as putting it on. First, the cat is laid on its side, and then the ribbons are carefully untied. It is advisable that your pet spend about half an hour every day without a blanket. This is necessary so that the seam weathers and dries faster.

The bandage is finally removed only after examination by a veterinarian and his approval. This can usually be done around the eighth day after surgery.

What to do if your cat takes off his blanket

Regardless of the type of blanket used, owners of operated animals often face the same misfortune: their pet takes off the blanket. It is unlikely that it will be possible to constantly monitor the animal, and it will be very tiring for the owner. Therefore, it is better to go the other way.

Physical limitation of mobility

An option ideal for night time. The cat must be placed in a portable cage, basket or box that limits the pet's mobility. Having lost the ability to constantly spin and run, she is unlikely to be able to remove the blanket.

Surgical collar

This one, also called “Elizabethan”, resembles a funnel placed around the neck of a cat. This design reliably prevents all “rash” actions of the animal, preventing the removal of the bandage.

However, this method is not very suitable for young cats, as they can be very nimble.

Medical immobilization

If the cat is overly active, the veterinarian may prescribe mild sedatives. They, having a calming effect, prevent tightening of the postoperative bandage.

Despite all the methods described above, the main role in maintaining the blanket on the animal’s body belongs to the cat’s owner. You need to talk to your pet more often, pet her and calm her down. The faster the cat gets used to the blanket, the faster it will stop trying to remove it.

Update: April 2019

The sterilization (castration) operation is only half the battle (see c). The most important period is the postoperative period, which falls on the shoulders of the cat owner. The veterinarian who performed the operation must provide instructions on all the intricacies of caring for the animal after anesthesia, tell and show how to handle sutures and what to pay attention to when emergency situations arise.

After sterilization, the abdomen should be protected with a special blanket (bandage) with ties on the back. The protective bandage is worn all the time until the stitches are removed, plus another day or two, so that the cat does not lick small wounds from the threads.

A cat blanket is usually made of natural cotton fabric and does not cause physical discomfort to the animal after surgery. But due to the peculiarities of tactile sensitivity, the cat may be lazy to walk in it or have a strange gait. When the bandage is removed, everything falls into place.

You need to be careful that the cat does not cling to anything with the blanket and does not get stuck anywhere.

Eyes

If the cat is handed over to the owners after the operation in a state of anesthesia, then the process of blinking for the pet falls on them. Cats under anesthesia often have their eyes open. To prevent the cornea from drying out, you need to periodically cover your eyes (blink) or drip artificial tears or 0.9% saline solution onto their surface.

General condition of the house

Upon arrival home, the cat should be placed warmly (for example, on a warm heating pad) and on soft bedding, because After anesthesia, the process of thermoregulation is disrupted. Be sure to place it on the floor so that during the awakening process the animal does not fall from a height. It is necessary to lay down a well-absorbent diaper, because... Until recovery from anesthesia, the cat cannot control the physiological needs to empty the bladder and rectum. There may be trembling throughout the body (general tremor) or vomiting.

You need to place the cat on its right side to reduce the load on the heart.

At first, the cat should not actively play, jump, or climb on pieces of furniture. If sterilization was carried out after childbirth, and there are kittens left in the house, you need to limit their contact for the first time. 2-3 month old kittens can suckle a cat for a long time, and this is fraught with injury to the postoperative wound. Sterilization of a nursing cat is carried out for emergency reasons, because... postoperative complications in the mammary gland are possible.

On the first day after surgery, the cat must definitely go to the toilet - it is important not to miss stagnation in urination and bowel movements after anesthesia.
For the first two days, you may need pain relief. Pain is indicated by increased aggressiveness, apathy, meowing, refusal to eat, dilated pupils and reluctance to move.
Antibiotic therapy is not required if the operation is planned and carried out taking into account the rules of asepsis and antisepsis.
Vitamin preparations and restoratives are prescribed only to old and weak cats who have undergone a difficult operation.
In case of urgent need (the suture is bleeding or internal bleeding has been detected), hemostatic therapy may be prescribed.

Coming out of anesthesia

Three types of anesthesia are usually used. After each type of anesthesia, the cat comes to its senses differently.

Muscle relaxants + analgesics. The most effective mixture, used most often. The main disadvantage is the difficult recovery from such anesthesia: from 5-6 hours to a day.
Muscle relaxant + epidural anesthesia. The mixture is slightly toxic, the cat easily tolerates it and quickly recovers from such anesthesia (up to 8 hours maximum). But there is a high probability of complications if the injection into the epidural space is carried out incorrectly - full sensitivity and motor activity in the hind limbs can return up to 2 days. When performing such anesthesia, the qualifications and experience of the surgeon are very important.
Gas (inhalation) anesthesia. A very effective and minimally toxic method, but it is rarely used due to the lack of special equipment and mixtures of substances for anesthesia. The cat comes to its senses almost immediately as soon as the anesthesia machine is turned off.

When recovering from anesthesia, the cat will be out of control for some time, coordination will be impaired, and the cat’s behavior after sterilization may seem inadequate. There are attempts to get up, run somewhere, perhaps meowing, and an obvious lack of understanding of what is happening around. It is important not to let the animal hide in the far dark corner, so that there are no difficulties in removing it. For some time, the cat may not respond to the name, walk slowly, unsteadily and unsteadily. The main thing is that the pet is visible all the time for the first day!

Food and drink

On the day of the operation, the cat does not need to be fed, only watered as soon as it begins to rise after recovering from anesthesia. In the first hours after waking up, it is better to do this through a syringe. Be sure to monitor whether the animal makes swallowing movements so that it does not choke.

Start feeding from the second day with 1/3 of the usual portion. The cat should drink on its own. Food should be easily digestible and low-fat. On the 3rd day, the cat should begin to show independent interest in food, i.e. start asking. All food should be balanced. Portions are increased gradually, but not to the maximum - sterilized cats should be protected from obesity.

There are cases that a cat does not eat after sterilization for 2-3 days, but only drinks. If the lack of appetite is no longer associated with any additional symptoms, this phenomenon can be considered as an individual variant of the norm.

Processing and removal of seams

Throughout the entire postoperative period, the suture should be clean and dry. Any suppuration, inflammation or bloody wetting is a reason to contact a veterinarian.

Depending on the type of operation, the stitches may be on the abdomen along the linea alba, on the side, or in the form of punctures if the operation was performed using a laparoscope.

Sutures are placed on the muscle layer and on the skin (if on the stomach) or only on the skin (with an incision on the side, the muscles are not cut, but moved apart, and during laparoscopy small punctures are made). Internal sutures are applied with self-absorbing threads, external sutures are applied with surgical thread (it must be removed over time).

Until the stitches are removed, the wound is treated daily with any antiseptic solution, but without alcohol, so as not to cause skin burns. There is an opinion that seams do not need to be processed, but to do this, the possibility of contamination of the seam must be completely eliminated. For convenience, it is better to carry out the treatment together: one person holds the cat standing on a horizontal surface, carefully picking it up under the front paws, the second person rolls up the blanket and processes the seam.

There are sprays with which the seam is treated immediately after surgery, and then every few days (for example, Aluminum spray or Chemi spray), and this is an almost 100% guarantee that no infection will get into the wound.

On days 7-10, the sutures are removed (after the 12th day, the threads will begin to grow into the skin). This can be done at a veterinary clinic or on your own.

Seams are made in two ways: stapled or continuous. The staple stitch consists of several threads tied into knots at equal distances. It is enough to pull the protruding threads, separate the knot from the skin, cut the loop and pull out the thread. If the seam is continuous, then the knot is cut off on one side, the seam fastening is on the other, the thread is pulled through the middle and the whole thing is pulled out.
When can you remove a cat's blanket? On the same day as the removal of the suture, it is allowed to remove the bandage, but if the cat does not lick the wound, or when the wound is already densely overgrown with hair, which prevents irritation of the wound by the rough cat's tongue.

Medicinal support

Painkillers:

Rimadyl (carprofen)– intravenously or subcutaneously at a dose of 4 mg/kg (equivalent to 1 ml/12.5 kg of weight) once a day;
Tolfedine (tolfenamic acid) – 4 mg/kg once a day orally with food;
Ketofen 1% (ketoprofen)– subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously at a dose of 2 mg/kg (or 0.2 ml/kg) once a day and no longer than 3-4 days;
Loxicom (meloxicam)– 0.1 mg suspension/kg orally on the first day once, 0.05 mg/kg on subsequent days.

Seam treatment products:

Chlorhexidine 0.05% ( aqueous solution) - water the seam through a dispenser or drip from above using a pipette until healing;
Dioxidine 0.5% - use similarly to Chlohexidine;
Veteritsin spray - spray the suture area 1-2 times a day before removal;
Aluminum spray - spray on the seam every few days until healing;
Chemi spray - treat the seam once a day until healing;
Levomekol ointment - apply around the wound once a day, under a bandage.

Antibiotics:

Sinulox (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid) – intramuscularly once a day at a dose of 0.5 ml/10 kg for 3-5 days;
Amoxicillin 15% - subcutaneously or intramuscularly 1 ml/kg (in terms of 15 mg/kg) once for 5 days.

General strengthening drugs:

Gamavit - the first 2-3 days at a dose of 0.5 ml/kg of body weight, then up to two weeks at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg.

Hemostatic agents:

Travmatin - intramuscularly or subcutaneously 0.5-1 ml 2-5 times a day;
Etamsylate – 0.1 ml/kg twice a day.

Care: first week day by day

Day 1

After surgery, the cat sleeps an additional 30 minutes to 1-1.5 hours. On the first day the animal is half asleep and lethargic. There is a lack of coordination of movements. There may be hallucinations. Do not give any drugs that speed up recovery from anesthesia without the consent of your veterinarian! For the first 24 hours, you need to be nearby, pet the animal, hold it in your arms, and observe. When leaving, it is better to leave the cat in a small enclosed space and on the floor to avoid it falling and leaving in an unknown direction. Do not provide food or water - there is no need to feed the baby at all during the first day; you need to give it drips from a syringe or pipette.

If there is no blinking, close the cat's eyes yourself to prevent the cornea from drying out. Do this before you start blinking on your own.

On the first day, the animal is disoriented - it can run away in an unknown direction, stop abruptly, run into walls, meow, fall and fall asleep, jump up, etc. There is no need to be afraid. It is better to place your pet in a non-passable room so that no one or anything can disturb it.
Possible involuntary urination. If your cat goes to the toilet on her own, you can support her by placing a full-width towel under her belly for stability and additional bowel stimulation.

There is vomiting. The first sign of gagging is excessive licking of the face. You should not bathe until the stitch heals.

If the cat is in pain, it needs an anesthetic injection, previously prescribed by a veterinarian.

Day 2

The cat gradually comes to its senses and becomes more adequate. You can put water near it and start feeding it a little. The food starts with low-fat chicken broth or kefir with bifidobacteria. Do not overfeed under any circumstances, but give all food in small portions. Only water should be freely available and in plenty! Even if before the operation the cat was only on dry food, you should not start with it - it is better to replace it with similar “wet” ones.

If the animal moves little and the paws are cool, you need to rub them or put the cat on a warm heating pad, promptly removing the cold one. On the second day, she can hide from prying eyes - you must make sure that the animal is always in sight. If you are allowed to hide, then in places where you can easily get it.

The cat's toilet should be somewhere nearby so as not to bother the animal with unnecessary walking after surgery.

If a cat does not walk at all after sterilization, then there are two reasons: the animal is uncomfortable in the bandage or there are problems with the hind limbs after anesthesia (especially after epidural anesthesia). The exact cause will be determined by a veterinarian who can be invited to your home.

Continue to monitor behavior, appetite, urination, bowel movements (should have already appeared) and general condition.

Usually the pain goes away on the second day. If there are still signs of discomfort due to pain, a painkiller is given or injected.

Day 3

On the 3rd day, the cat should fully come to its senses: show activity and interest in what is happening, go to its litter box and start asking for food. You can gradually switch to a regular diet, but the ban on overfeeding remains.

On this day, it is necessary to measure your body temperature. Body temperature is measured rectally (in the rectum) with the tip of a thermometer lubricated with Vaseline or any greasy cream. If the temperature is elevated by two measurements during the day, you need to contact your veterinarian - you may have to start taking antibiotics. The course will have to be completed in full, regardless of which day the temperature drops to normal.

If the temperature does not begin to decrease from antibiotics, you need to take the cat to a veterinarian or call him at home - there is a risk that the infection is viral, and this is a risk of death of the animal due to post-operative weakness.

Also a reason to contact a veterinarian if the body temperature is below 37.5°C.

If there is no bowel movement, you can give mild laxatives based on lactulose (Lactusan, Duphalac). The intestines must be emptied regularly - this must be monitored, because... very often after anesthesia there is a slowdown in intestinal motility.

Day 4

By the fourth day, the animal should actively and independently eat and drink, active urination and bowel movements should be noted.

If there is no urination, you need to give 1/5 tablet of no-shpa or 2-3 drops of valerian tincture diluted in a teaspoon of water. After 15 minutes, do a light abdominal massage at the level of the bladder. Urination should appear. If still not, the cat needs to be taken to a veterinary hospital for bladder catheterization.

Day 5

By the fifth day, you can start letting the cat out of the closed room, because... She can be allowed some activity - walk relatively long distances (between rooms); she can be allowed to walk in the yard (under supervision) if the animal had access to the street before sterilization. You can jump on low surfaces.

By the fifth day, the swelling and redness around the suture should subside, if there were any such signs. Signs of scarring should appear.

Day 6 and 7

The only reminders that the cat has undergone surgery are the blanket (bandage) and the presence of postoperative sutures. By the end of the week, the animal should be fully active, eat with appetite, drink when it wants, sleep in any chosen place, jumping onto the sofa or chairs (it is, of course, still difficult to jump onto the windowsill from the floor).

No pain. Urinate and have bowel movements as usual. If the body's resistance is normal, the sutures can be removed on the 7th day - maximum on the 10th.

The suture after sterilization of a cat should be clean, dry, with signs of dense scarring, without signs of inflammation or suppuration.

Possible postoperative complications

Complications after planned surgical interventions develop extremely rarely and, in most cases, it depends on the individual characteristics of a particular animal.

Main postoperative complications:

Prolonged post-anesthesia hypothermia. If a cat lies for a long time without moving, and its ears and paws feel cold to the touch, it is necessary to check its body temperature. If the readings are below 37°C, you need to put the cat on a warm heating pad, cover it with any natural piece of fabric and contact your veterinarian for advice.
Intra-abdominal bleeding. If traces of fresh blood are detected in the suture area or from the vulva, with obvious pain in the abdomen and pallor of the skin, you should immediately take the cat to a veterinary hospital to stop possible bleeding in the abdominal cavity. If internal bleeding is confirmed, then repeated surgery is performed.
Postoperative hyperthermia. If body temperature is elevated for more than 3 days (above 39°C), it is necessary to consult with a veterinarian or take the cat to an appointment for direct examination by a specialist.
Redness around the stitch and swelling. This condition of the suture is allowed for 3-5 days, provided that there is no discharge from the wound. After 5 days, both redness and swelling will begin to subside and will completely disappear by the time the stitches are removed.
Rotting postoperative suture. If the cat's postoperative hygiene measures are not followed, dirt may get into the seam, causing it to fester. It is imperative to show the animal to a doctor. If the prescribed drugs for local treatment do not help eliminate such signs, the doctor will have to remove the stitches, remove the damaged areas of skin around the wound under anesthesia and re-suture it.
Lump on the abdomen in the suture area. If an enlarged area is detected anywhere around the seam, this is a reason to consult a veterinarian. There are two options for lumps after sterilization - this is post-operative swelling, which may have to be opened, or the growth of granulation tissue (“young” skin), which will go away on its own within a month and a half.

Sterilization (castration) is not a complicated operation, the difficulty lies in the postoperative period. After surgery, you should definitely get recommendations from your veterinarian on how to care for your cat and strictly adhere to them. In any emergency situation, you must consult a specialist.

144 comments

One of the most important aspects of sterilization is post-operative care, which is fully the responsibility of the cat’s owners. The question that causes the most problems is how long the animal should wear the bandage (blanket).

The main problem is that the cat may resist putting on and wearing the bandage, trying with all its might to free itself from it. Often the animal looks completely unhappy or takes offense at people, so the owners have a natural desire to get rid of this device early. But it is important to remember that the optimal timing for removing the blanket will protect your pet, weakened after the operation, from unnecessary problems.

When can I shoot?

How long you will have to wear the bandage depends on the type of suture treatment used by the operating veterinarian:

treatment with a spray that protects the seam from contaminants;
without spray treatment.

When using a spray, the possibility of inflammation is much lower. Provided that the pet feels well and there are no complications in the suture area, the maximum period of wearing the blanket is 7 days.

If the surgery was performed laparoscopically, the damage to the skin is so small that there is no need for the cat to walk in a blanket.

Early withdrawal

It happens that a cat removes the bandage on its own ahead of schedule. Most often this happens in the first 4 days after sterilization, since subsequently the pet gets used to it and behaves more calmly. Whether to return it to its place and whether the animal continues to walk with protection depends on the method of applying the suture material:

If non-absorbable threads were used during sterilization, which will be removed 7 to 10 days after the operation, then the blanket must be immediately returned to its place.
If absorbable threads were used and more than 4 days have passed since sterilization, and there is no oozing blood or lymph at the surgical site, or inflammation is not visible, then the cat no longer needs to wear a device to limit access to the wound.

Many owners allow their cat to walk without a bandage because they do not understand why there is such an urgent need. However, you need to know what the consequences of early withdrawal are:

gnawing or licking of surgical thread and sutures coming apart;
internal and external bleeding;
microbes entering the wound;
inflammation and rotting of the wound.

All these troubles can happen immediately, or they can happen within a few days after the animal is freed from the accessories that cause inconvenience. It is important to remember that if the owner allowed his cat to walk without a blanket, then he will no longer be able to make a claim or count on medical assistance under the guarantee that many veterinary clinics provide.

Sometimes the decision that a cat should stop wearing a brace is made by a veterinarian based on the following factors:

the pet behaves aggressively, constantly trying to chew or pull off the blanket;
the cat does not stand on its paws, is afraid to take even a few steps, stops eating;
obvious signs of deterioration (nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy);
ulcers and abrasions in areas of maximum tissue pressure on the skin;
heavily soiled blanket.

Observation after removal of the bandage

The best option would be to have the cat examined by the veterinarian who performed the surgery on the day of removal. It’s even better if he makes the withdrawal personally.

The cat will most likely lick the surgical site at first. In the first half hour this is completely normal, since all representatives of the cat family are very clean animals. The main thing is to make sure that the animal does not bite into the wound and harm itself.

If inspection is not possible for some reason, you should pay attention to the following points:

integrity of the wound edges;
no bleeding;
the presence of inflammation or pus;
presence of knots or blisters.

If at least one of these factors is detected, then the cat should be shown to a specialist who will decide what to do.

For several days after the cat has stopped walking in a bandage, you need to monitor its temperature, check the condition of its nose (dry or wet), and monitor the animal’s behavior in order to prevent possible complications.

Owners of a furry pet, having chosen a surgical solution to the problem of reproduction, should know how to care for their cat after sterilization. A competent approach to keeping an animal after surgery will shorten the rehabilitation period and prevent the development of postoperative complications.

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Immediately after surgery

Particular attention must be paid to the operated animal in the first hours after surgical manipulation. Some veterinary clinics practice drug withdrawal from narcotic sleep, and the cat is given to the owner already in the awakening phase. But more often the animal is given to the owner in a state of narcotic sleep, giving recommendations for care.

The operated pet should be transported in a special carrier. The bottom must be covered with oilcloth, and a clean cloth must be placed on top. The cat should be placed on its right side and covered with a blanket or blanket.

In a state of anesthesia, the animal's pulse and breathing slow down, and its body temperature drops by several degrees. The cat becomes vulnerable to cold and drafts. If the operation is carried out in the cold season, care must be taken to warm the animal during transportation. A heating pad or a bottle of warm water placed on the cat's back is suitable for this. It is necessary to ensure that during movement the warm object does not move towards the surgical wound. Heat in the area may cause bleeding.

Upon arrival home, you can leave your pet in the carrier if it is spacious, or lay oilcloth and fabric on the floor for it. The animal should not be placed on a sofa, bed or other elevated surfaces.

How long a cat recovers from anesthesia after sterilization depends on a number of factors: the weight of the animal, the dosage of the drug, individual characteristics, type of anesthesia, etc. On average, awakening occurs 2 to 8 hours after the operation. During this period, the animal must be under constant supervision. When waking up from anesthesia, the cat makes unconscious movements, can jump, fall from a height, and harm itself. The chosen location must be absolutely safe.

The peculiarity of cats is that they are in a state of anesthesia with their eyes open. To prevent the cornea from drying out, close your eyelids once every half hour. You can lightly massage your eyeballs with your eyelids or use special eye drops.

While the animal is in a narcotic sleep, it cannot be fed or watered by force. If your cat sleeps for a long time, you can massage its paws to improve blood circulation.

Features of feeding and maintenance after surgery

After the animal has completely recovered from anesthesia and its movements become confident, it must be given water and offered food. From now on, water should be freely available at all times. You can feed your cat after sterilization when her appetite returns. This usually happens on the 2nd day after surgery. Sometimes a cat may vomit after eating food for the first time. These are the consequences of anesthesia. 2 - 3 days after sterilization, digestion will normalize, and the animal will return to its previous appetite.

When handing over an operated animal to its owner, veterinarians do not always pay attention to the question of what to feed a sterilized cat during the postoperative period. You should be extremely careful when it comes to feeding your furry pet during the first time after sterilization. A preliminary fasting diet and the postoperative period contribute to atony of the digestive system, which can lead to an undesirable phenomenon - constipation.

In order to prevent digestive disorders, in the first days after surgery, the cat should be switched to specialized food for operated animals. If the pet was kept on natural food, it is necessary to include fermented milk products and boiled vegetables in the diet.

If signs of constipation are detected (no bowel movements for 3 days, anxiety when visiting the toilet), you can give 4 - 5 ml of Vaseline oil orally. You cannot use laxatives or give an enema without a doctor’s recommendation; this can harm the cat. If the problem with bowel movement does not resolve on its own within 3 days, you should contact a veterinarian.

Many veterinary clinics practice dressing the animal postoperatively. This special device made of fabric and ties prevents licking of the wound and protects against contamination. When to remove the blanket from a cat after sterilization? It all depends on the speed of healing of the surgical wound, as well as on the behavior of the animal. Most cats are indifferent to a healing wound; they require a blanket for the first 2 to 3 days. But some furry beauties show excessive attention and constantly lick themselves. In this case, it is better to leave the animal in a blanket for 10 - 14 days, until complete healing and removal of the stitches.

Postoperative suture care

During the rehabilitation period, the owner of a sterilized pet should pay close attention to the care of the surgical suture. As a rule, recommendations on how to treat a suture after sterilization of a cat are given by the veterinary specialist who operated on the animal. Many clinics practice treating the suture immediately after surgery with aluminum spray, and in this case additional methods are not needed.

If suture treatment is necessary, it begins on days 2–3 after surgery. To quickly heal a wound, a solution of brilliant green (brilliant green), chlorhexidine, betadine, chemi-spray, hydrogen peroxide, and Levomikol ointment are often used as an antiseptic. It is better to process the seam with an assistant, so the animal is less stressed and the manipulation is carried out more carefully.

In the first days after surgery, swelling of the suture is acceptable; this is a normal tissue reaction to surgical trauma. There may be redness of the seam, and the surrounding skin may have a glossy appearance. There may be discharge of ichor (clear liquid).

How long a cat’s suture heals after surgery depends on many factors: the qualifications of the surgeon, the individual characteristics of the animal’s regeneration, proper postoperative care, etc. On average, complete healing occurs on the 10th - 12th day after surgery. On the 5th day, when processing the seam, you need to pay attention to its condition. It should be dry, its edges should not diverge by more than 1 mm.

Not all external sutures need to be removed during sterilization. There are techniques for applying a special suture with absorbable material. The veterinarian who operated on the animal will tell you in detail whether and how to remove the stitches for a cat after sterilization. There is nothing complicated about this manipulation. You need to know the number of stitches, have small scissors and tweezers. Tools must be disinfected. The thread with the knot is pulled out with tweezers, and one thread is cut with scissors. And so all the seams are gradually removed. If for some reason it is not possible to remove the stitches yourself, the best option is to have it done at a veterinary clinic.

How long a cat recovers after sterilization depends on a number of factors:

Timeliness of the operation. If it is carried out within the time frame recommended by experts, the animal has not experienced estrus, there has been no birth or pregnancy, tissue regeneration occurs quickly.

Age of the animal. The operation of a young individual is characterized by faster rehabilitation than sterilization of a mature and elderly cat.

Surgeon's qualifications. A competently performed operation with minimal tissue trauma, correct application of ligatures, and neat postoperative sutures contribute to rapid granulation and wound healing.

Postoperative care. Careful adherence to the recommendations of a veterinary specialist, correct actions on feeding, maintenance, and care of the postoperative suture will reduce the animal’s recovery time.

Complications in the postoperative period. The presence of all kinds of health problems after sterilization significantly increases the cat’s recovery time.

Signs of postoperative complications

Unfortunately, castration does not always occur without complications. It is important to assess the condition in a timely manner and take measures to prevent serious health consequences. The following symptoms should alert the owner of an operated animal:

drowsiness, apathy, lethargy of the cat for 5 days after surgery;

temperature above 39.50 C on the 5th day after sterilization;

the cat does not eat after sterilization for 4 - 5 days;

severe redness, swelling, bleeding, swelling of the surgical suture after the 5th day from the moment of surgical manipulation;

pain syndrome may be the reason why a sterilized cat screams.

Suture dehiscence on the 5th day after surgery

The presence of the above signs should be a reason to immediately contact a veterinarian.

Cat behavior after sterilization

Not all pet owners know how a cat behaves after sterilization. Many people mistakenly believe that surgery will lead to apathy. There is no doubt that the operation has a positive effect on the health in subsequent years of life and on the sexual behavior of the furry pet.

1 - 2 months after the intervention, the hormonal background returns to an optimal state, the level of sex hormones decreases and remains constant at a low level. From this moment on, the owner begins to notice changes in the animal’s behavior. The cat becomes affectionate, pays more attention to communication with household members, and is less secluded.

The animal is no longer tormented by sexual instincts, it is focused on humans, and happily participates in active games. The pet is not bothered by the problems of procreation; it directs its energy to hunting instincts and games with humans.

Sterilizing a cat is one of the most common veterinary operations. Qualified veterinary care, competent post-operative care at home, implementation of recommendations for compliance with rehabilitation measures, love and care of the owner will quickly return the furry pet to an active life.

A good veterinary clinic with competent doctors will never give you a cat after surgery without reviving it from anesthesia. The few hours after surgery are the most difficult for both the animal itself and the person caring for it. The cat will not only sleep, she may pee under herself, she may start vomiting, her temperature may drop below normal, and other unforeseen consequences may also arise. After 1-2 hours she will wake up - and it will become even more difficult: the cat will try to walk, but there will be problems with orientation, as a result she will begin to stagger, fall, try to jump somewhere, etc. At this time, the animal needs special care and the possibility of urgent assistance from a veterinarian.

That is why good clinics will never give a cat to the owner in a state of anesthesia, but will tell him to come back in a few hours and give him a more or less coordinated animal, which has been given an antibiotic and painkiller, and also put on a blanket to protect the seam.

The cat, after the doctors have brought it out of anesthesia, will also be a little inadequate in its movements, but it will be quite able to drink, eat and go to the toilet on its own.

If the cat was given away under anesthesia

Not all clinics are so professional and of high quality that they can return the animal to the owner after overexposure. As a result, the owner receives an immobilized body, which can urinate at any moment or choke on its own vomit. If you are planning to sterilize, try to find out in advance in what form they plan to give your pet to you. If possible, refuse the services of a clinic that intends to do it this way. But if there is no choice, you will have to cope on your own.

In this case, after the end of the operation, it is advisable to stay in the clinic for about half an hour to make sure that there is no bleeding from the suture.

Under no circumstances should you take your cat home on public transport; it is better to call a taxi or ask someone to give you a ride.

The animal must be placed in a spacious carrier with a hard floor, but not on its back or stomach, but on its side, so that it does not choke in case of vomiting. It is better to place an absorbent diaper under the cat in case it suddenly leaks urine. And if it’s cold outside, cover your pet with something warm.

When you come home, place the cat on the floor, on a previously prepared blanket or towel. You can put an absorbent diaper on the towel. After this, the pet needs to be covered with something warm, because... Under anesthesia, the body temperature drops - and the animal can get sick. Place a bowl of water near the rookery.

Under anesthesia, cats' eyes remain open, so they need to be instilled with a solution specially purchased for this: then the mucous membrane will not dry out. This should be done every 20-30 minutes until the animal wakes up.

A cat under anesthesia cannot close its eyes

The cat’s mouth will also dry out, so you need to moisten the outside of the mouth with a wet sponge and give water drop by drop from a pipette if the cat has already woken up.

When the cat comes to its senses, it will begin to behave inappropriately. This happens differently for everyone: someone may run around the apartment and jump wherever possible, someone may start biting... Your task is to follow the cat on its heels and prevent it from performing actions that are dangerous for it.

This video shows a cat recovering from anesthesia. The owner behaves incorrectly: he films it on camera instead of preventing the cat from making dangerous movements.

A small life hack. Once the cat has woken up and started walking, it may exhibit exuberant behavior, jumping and running. But the cat is vulnerable: it easily crashes into objects and falls from a height onto its back. At this time, it is advisable to limit her stay in the apartment: put her in a carrier, let her sit there until she becomes adequate. And this will happen in 2-3 hours.

Painkillers and antibiotics after surgery

We answer numerous questions from readers about whether injections are needed after sterilizing a cat.

For the first 2-3 days after surgery, cats are given painkillers. You can do this yourself, or you can go to a clinic. Human drugs are contraindicated. The dosage is prescribed by the veterinarian, your task is to follow his instructions.

Usually on the third or fourth day the animal is taken off the painkiller, as a result of which it suddenly begins to feel discomfort in the suture area - and its health deteriorates. At this time, the cat tries to lie down and sleep, eats little, and becomes apathetic. These are normal symptoms. Signs of severe pain are aggression, complete immobility of the animal, greatly dilated pupils, screams and moans. If you observe such a picture, you need to call the veterinarian and decide on further actions.

In order to prevent the development of inflammatory processes, cats are injected with antibiotics for the first 2-4 days after surgery.

Cat's fever after surgery

Fever is the body's natural response to injury. At this time, the cat will have a dry and warm nose. If the temperature persists for more than five days after surgery, you need to contact a veterinarian: the animal may be developing a pathological inflammatory process.

Seam processing

Each clinic has its own suturing technique. If there was a laparoscopic operation, then most likely, suture treatment will not be necessary. After laparotomy, options are possible. In any case, you should follow your veterinarian's instructions as... only he knows what kind of stitch he made.

If the seam needs treatment, then usually an aqueous solution of miramistin or chlorhexidine, which can be bought at any pharmacy, is applied to it daily. It is also sometimes recommended to lubricate the area with an antibiotic - Levomekol ointment. The suture should be treated from the second day after surgery until the 7-10th day.

Before processing the seam, the blanket is removed only from the hind legs. It is better not to remove it completely, because it can be difficult to tie the crampon back.

Cat's appetite after surgery

If the cat was brought out of anesthesia by doctors and given to you under anesthesia, then the pet may show interest in food immediately upon arrival home. However, in some cases (this will depend on the type of surgery, suture and medications), the veterinarian recommends not feeding the animal for 24 hours after surgery. Ask your doctor about this.

If your cat has a poor appetite in the first days after surgery, this is also normal. There is no need to force her to eat: the main thing is to drink water. But if the cat refuses to eat for more than two days, you need to contact a veterinarian.

As for the quality of food, during this period it is very important that the cat’s stool is soft and without constipation. Otherwise, she will strain, which will cause pain due to the stitches. Therefore, almost all meat meals should include porridge: then the stool will be soft and there will be no need for straining.

In addition, it is very useful to give the cat fermented milk products during this period: kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, yogurt, but in no case milk - it makes cats swell, and excess gases from the operated abdominal cavity are not needed.

Constipation after surgery

Despite proper nutrition, your cat may experience constipation for 2-4 days after surgery. Make sure your pet goes to the toilet at least once every 2 days. If you see that the second day is already ending and the tray is empty, it is better to give your pet Vaseline oil: pour it into the mouth through a syringe at the rate of 5 ml per 5 kg of weight. It is absolutely harmless, but it helps to go to the toilet. The effect must be achieved by giving Vaseline every 8 hours until the cat poops.

It happens that the cat refuses to write. In this case, it is recommended to administer a Microlax microenema for children, which immediately causes both urination and defecation. The microenemas should be injected into the butt; under no circumstances should the medicine be given into the mouth.

In addition, feline lactobacilli can be added to your cat's food, which will help cope with dysbiosis caused by antibiotics.

The cat's stitches are bleeding after sterilization

It happens that a cat's stitch bleeds after surgery. This is a normal phenomenon, although ideally this should not happen. Therefore, if you see that the stitch is oozing, you need to call your veterinarian to prescribe treatment. Normally, on the fifth day the seam should be completely dry. You can check this by lifting the blanket.

The cat's paw is swollen after surgery

In order to inject various drugs into the cat's blood, veterinarians place catheters on her paws. Through them, in particular, premedication and anesthesia are administered. Sometimes the catheter is not removed immediately after the operation, but is done the next day, so that if something happens, the animal can quickly inject the necessary drug directly into the blood.

After the catheter is removed, you will notice that the cat's paw is swollen. This is a reaction to the dressing that holds the catheter in place. After a few hours, the swelling should go away. If it persists for more than a day, consult a doctor.

This is what a catheter looks like on a cat and a paw after the catheter

Can a cat run after surgery without wearing a blanket?

After laparoscopy (when not a large suture is made, but small incisions), it is not necessary to wear a blanket: only small stitch holes are visible on the cat. After a laparotomy (when there is a large incision), a blanket must be put on the cat. After removal of the testicles, cats do not wear anything. She will walk in this blanket for 10-14 days.

The good thing about a blanket is that it restricts the cat’s movements and prevents it from running and jumping too much, if suddenly under painkillers it seemed that it was healthy. Although, as practice shows, when jumping, even high ones, the seams do not come apart if they are made well. The main purpose of the blanket is to prevent the cat from getting to the seam and pulling out the threads, and also from licking the seam.

Many owners feel sorry for the cat, saying that the blanket interferes with her life. And on the fifth or sixth day after the operation, it seems that the blanket is no longer needed, because the cat is already active and behaves as if nothing had happened. As a result, some owners decide to remove the blanket or replace it with a sleeve from an old sweater, in which holes are made for paws. Under no circumstances should you do this! The blanket, we repeat, is needed not to hold the seam, but to protect it from the cat’s interference. As soon as the blanket is removed from the cat, she begins to work on the suture in earnest and most often ends up on the operating table again. Only this time the stitch won’t be able to heal so easily: now the cat will have to wear a blanket for 2 months. Do you need this for the sake of false momentary pity that the cat is uncomfortable?

Tested by the experience of hundreds of cat owners: the blanket remains on the cat for 10-14 days without any problems and is never removed. That is, if you have not been prescribed seam treatment, you should not touch the blanket at all.

This is what a cat looks like in its butt

Intimate hygiene of a cat in a blanket

After surgery, the cat may have another problem: it cannot reach the genitals and anus with its tongue to wash them. It may seem that the blanket is to blame. In fact, if it is tied correctly, not too tight, and the size is chosen correctly, then the problem is not the blanket. The problem is that the seam is pulling: it is what prevents the pet from being flexible. It stops pulling after 5-7 days: and then the cat will be able to wash itself even in a blanket.

For the period while she is not able to do this herself, you can take care of hygiene yourself. Every time after using the toilet, inspect the organs: if there is dirt stuck on the anus, just take a cotton pad, moisten it with water or vegetable oil and wipe the butt. The labia can simply be blotted with a fresh, clean pad without anything, but very gently, do not rub. It’s better not to touch it if there is no visible contamination. If they are, then a cotton pad dipped in water will do. But hygiene should be like that of women: in popular parlance, you can only wipe in the direction from the pussy to the butt, not vice versa.

The cat does not drink water after sterilization

If your cat refuses to drink water after surgery, this is very bad. She really needs water now. Therefore, you can very carefully, without pressure, inject water with a syringe without a needle, placing it between the teeth (cats have empty spaces there). If everything is really bad, ask your veterinarian to put on a drip for dehydration - it gives excellent results.

Removing stitches

There are self-absorbing sutures that do not need to be removed. If your cat has these, your veterinarian will warn you about it. But more often, external sutures need to be removed 10-14 days after surgery. This is done very simply and quickly, within 10 minutes, but the procedure must be performed by a professional. To do this, you need to either call a veterinarian at home or go to the clinic.

The area where the suture was placed may remain swollen for several more days - this is normal. Most often there is no need to treat it yourself (unless there are complications). After removing the suture, the veterinarian should apply a layer of medical adhesive (usually a silver-colored spray) that will act as protection and antiseptic.

This video contains useful expert tips on caring for a cat after sterilization.

The author of the article, Ekaterina Yugosh, is the editor of the Murkotiki website, a journalist and a felinologist instructor (a specialist who studies cats). She received her felinological education according to the WCF (World Cat Federation) system. Specializes in Scottish and British breeds. Her areas of deep interest also include feline nutrition and animal psychology.