Killarney Cat Hospital
Wellness and Nutrition Centre
Tel:403 246-1115
www.catdoctor.ca

Spaying is the surgical removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. When a cat is spayed just before sexual maturity at 6-8 months of age, the cat's sexual instincts are reduced, and it becomes sterile. Spaying prevents the queen from coming into season and eliminates the problems of cystic ovaries, false pregnancies, uterine infections, etc. Spaying will not usually alter your cat's disposition except to make her less nervous, less noisy, more relaxed, playful and affectionate. Spaying is a routine abdominal surgery.

PRE-SURGICAL CARE

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Your cat was given a pre-surgical physical examination and appeared to be ________________________________________________

PRE-ANESTHETIC SAFETY SCREENING TEST:
You have elected the pre-anesthetic blood test. Yes No
The blood test was within normal limits Yes No
If not please comment _______________________________________

You have elected preventive urinalysis Yes No
The urinalysis was within normal limits Yes No
If not please comment _______________________________________

FLUID SUPPORT: You have elected: p subcutaneous fluid support
intravenous fluid support
I have declined any fluid support

SURGICAL PROCEDURE
The operation was performed under general anesthesia.
The recovery was uneventful Yes No

PET IDENTIFICATION
You elected to identify your cat with:
tattoo ( the tattoo # is ________; in the right ear)
microchip ( the microchip # is ___________________)
No, I have declined my pet tattooed or microchipped.

Your cat has had a post-surgical examination today and appeared to be ready to go home. Her surgical wound has been progressing normally and her body temperature was within normal limits. Skin sutures are buried in the skin (unless indicated otherwise) so you are unable to see them. They are dissolvable. The surgical wound may ooze some blood depending on the sleeping position. The amount of oozing is very small, but precautions should be made to prevent carpet and furniture damage. The pet will usually clean up the skin and adjacent hair by herself. If the wound is oozing persistently, please call us.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

PROPER RESTRAINT
Please protect your pet when leaving the hospital by using either a leash or carrier. If your pet is recovering from surgery and gets loose, excessive activity or injury may result.
FOOD and WATER
No food should be given for the first 2 hours after your pet has come home. Do not become alarmed if your cat does not wish to eat very much for a day.
Water is allowed in small amounts and frequently. Too much water at once may cause vomiting.

INCISION
Check the incision tonight 2-3 times, then daily for 7 days. Your pet must not be given the opportunity to lick or bother the incision site. Normal grooming is acceptable, but anything more will slow the healing process. If licking is persistent and results in inflammation, an Elizabethan collar is necessary for your cat; it can be obtained from our office. If you see redness, excessive swelling or any discharge from the incision site, contact us as soon as possible.
MONITORING
Your pet has received a general anesthetic and, as a result, may appear more tired than normal and possibly a little uncoordinated. This is to be expected and the grogginess should disappear in the next day or so. Some pets require up to 48 hours to fully recover from anesthetic, but your cat should be walking steadily and interested in food and water within 24 hours. General anesthesia lowers body temperature so you should keep your cat warm and dry. However, if your cat exhibits any of the following symptoms, please notify the hospital: (1) Loss of appetite for more than two days; (2) Refusal to drink water for more than one day; (3) Weakness; (4) Depression; (5) Vomiting; (6) Diarrhea.

EXERCISE and ACTIVITY
Exercise should be restricted for the first 7 days. Jumping and excessive activity is discouraged as this may slow the healing. We recommend small children not handle or bother your pet for 24 hours. Please confine your cat indoors for 7-10 days.
SUTURES
The sutures will dissolve on their own: Yes No There is a need to remove sutures: Yes No

ELIMINATION
Many patients may not have bowel movements for one or two days after surgery. This is normal if the patient is acting normally. If the constipation persists you should contact our office.
MEDICATION
Medication not required _____ required ____________________ see label for use.

PAIN MEDICATION
We gave your cat an injection of pain medication during her recovery period. If you have opted for pain medication, we have dispensed pain medication you can give your cat at home.
I have elected additional pain medication. Please give your cat ____________________________
(see label for instructions)
If you opted to use the Duragesic patch painkiller, remove it in three days. When the patch is removed it is important to ensure all the glue from this patch is also removed. Once the patch and all glue are removed, the Elizabethan collar can also be removed. A mild skin irritation in the area of the patch is normal. Please ensure that pets do not lick or ingest the patch, and do not allow children to come in contact with it.
I have declined post-anesthesia pain medication.

INTERACTION with OTHER CATS
Some cats (from multi-cat households) after arriving home may be perceived as an enemy and attacked by the other cats. It is fairly normal to hiss and fight. In this case you should separate them immediately. It is also recommended to rub a towel on all cats in order to transmit the smell on each cat.

APPOINTMENTS
Return to hospital p not required p required in _________ days/weeks for _____________________

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS ____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________