New Member

Posts: 8
From:Delaware
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 02-15-2004 06:56 PM         

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Hi, our 5 month old kitten is due for spaying this week and I was just wondering if you guys had any tips or recommendations. The current setup is that we will bring her in the afternoon and she will stay the night, however, I will see if I can get this changed so it's just a daytime-deal. Also, what am I looking to expect when I bring her home? Are there any lasting consequences?

Also, another small question.. Is it normal for a cat to , in a short period of time, stop eating dry food. My kitten gobbles up her "Wet" food extremely rapidly but in the past few months she's started to not eat her dry food with the same enthusiasm- at first saving it to eat during the whole day and recently she's started to neglect eating a good part of it at all. Just wondering what could be happening here.

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Member

Posts: 64
From:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-15-2004 08:36 PM         

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don't use poor brands of dry food. they are full of artficial preservatives and flavourings, as well as things that are not good for cats. thus, some are fussier about what they consume... they can really tell the difference.

kittens however, may just prefer the wet food to the dry food. but it won't be good for it's teeth if it's not getting enough hard food.... chewing is essential for kittens and cats of all ages.

thus, try a different brand of dry food, not the usual supermarket stuff.

as for spaying, i recommend it. it's better for the cat, and the surgery though invasive, is extremely simple and beneficial in the long run. she'll be up in running hapy in a week.

no worries.

///ej

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miao!

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Moderator

Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 02-15-2004 09:27 PM         

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I've had 2 of mine spayed/neutered at 4 months old and they seemed to recover really well and fast...it was hard trying to keep them rested once they returned home. Just try and keep your kitty rested and comfortable after the surgery and Im sure she will be fine. No lasting consequences that Im aware.
Many cats seem to prefer canned food over dry and when given the option may hold out on eating the dry and wait for more canned instead. Canned food is also easier for kittens to eat which could be another reason she has started avoiding the dry. I have one cat that loves canned food and will hold out on eating the dry until he realizes that Im not going to give him any more canned then he will eventually eat the dry. I would just keep the dry out and not increase the amount of canned your feeding...she will likely eat the dry when she is hungry.

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Member

Posts: 701
From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 02-15-2004 09:43 PM         

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Hello. You may also want to ask the vet about liquid pain meds for your kitty to take for about 4-5 days. I know we all say our cats are fine after, but they did just go through surgery and that has to hurt or be uncomfortable. I highly doubt they don't feel anything after. That's just my opinion. On the plus side the meds can make the kitties sleepy, so they end up getting more bed rest.

As for the hard food, if it's not due to preference, she may have a problem with one or more of her teeth. Meaning that it may hurt to chew harder foods. Ask your vet to check the condition of her teeth when she gets spayed (just to be certain).

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New Member

Posts: 8
From:Delaware
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 02-22-2004 06:55 AM         

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Hi,

We brought her back from her operation yesterday and she seemed very lethargic and tired, which seems natural considering the circumstances. She kept licking at her sutures so we put a tube sock over that area, which was what the SPCA recommended. So far all she's been doing is sleeping and eating and drinking a little, whenever she walks though she walks very slow. So far though, it looks like her recovery is going along well without any complications.

Thanks.

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Member

Posts: 701
From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 02-22-2004 10:27 AM         

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Hello. Thanks for the update. I'm glad she's okay. Is she now eating her hard food? Did the vet get a chance to look at her teeth and gums?

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New Member

Posts: 8
From:Delaware
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 02-22-2004 10:56 AM         

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I think right now she's a little to weak to chomp down on hard food so we're giving her little amounts of some canned food. The people at the SPCA didn't do an actuall check-up on her, so we'll have to take her to a vet in the next few weeks to get her completely checked out.

p.s.- I can tell she's in a alot of pain though, so we're keeping her as comfortable as possible.

[This message has been edited by chubbs5858 (edited 02-22-2004).]

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New Member

Posts: 8
From:Delaware
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 02-22-2004 06:24 PM         

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There is one strange thing that appears to be happening. She keeps shaking, more like trembling.. is this normal?

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Member

Posts: 701
From:CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 02-22-2004 07:43 PM         

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Hello. The shaking may be from the general anesthetic and also from being weak from lack of food. Did you get pain meds for her from the vet? If she's still shaking tomorrow and not eating I would take her to the vet. Some cats have bad reactions from general anesthetic. I hope she's okay. Keep us posted.

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Member

Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-23-2004 09:42 AM         

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Annibelle did the same thing. Once we started to feed her canned food along with hard food, she would only eat the canned. I think you may be spoiling her.

As far as the shaking, she did this right when we brought her home. The vet said its from her straining to do things, but she was still under the effects of the anesthisia. THat would pass, and it did. She was lathargic and very thirsty when we brought her home as well. The stitches will be itchy, and she'll want to lick at them, but dont let her.

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