Presurgical Instructions
Your cat has been scheduled for surgery. It is important that the day before surgery you prepare your pet by following the guidelines below.
No food after 10:00pm
Occasionally an anesthetic medication can cause your cat to vomit. Because the anesthesia also decreases their ability to swallow, fluid from their stomach can enter the trachea and lungs and cause infection. Therefore it is very important that the stomach is empty prior to anesthesia. A good time for the last feeding on the night before surgery is between 6:00 and 8:00 pm so that the food will be well digested. Remember to pick up the food dish by 10:00pm and do not give any treats or breakfast. Even a few pieces of kibble can cause acid in the stomach and lead to problems. If you have more than one cat, place the one having surgery into the carrier before feeding the others their breakfast.
Access to water until the morning of surgery
It is important to maintain hydration, so leave a fresh bowl of water available throughout the night before surgery. Take away the water in the morning.
Keep your cat indoors
If your cat goes outdoors, keep him or her inside the night before surgery so that you are sure that he or she will be there when you are ready to go to the clinic. If your cat tends to hide when you bring out the carrier, put him or her into a small room without any unreachable locations the night before or morning of surgery.
Blood tests
While anesthesia is very safe, there is some risk and we will ensure that your cat is healthy by performing blood tests and a physical exam prior to any surgery. If your cat is under 8 years old, we can perform that test in our hospital on the day of surgery. If your cat is 8 years old or older, we will need to perform a more thorough blood screen. We will need to obtain a sample at least 1-2 days prior to the surgery so that we can send the sample into the lab.
Other medications
If your cat is on any medications or supplements, please inform the doctor or staff as these may affect the anesthesia.
Other procedures
During anesthesia is a good time to perform other needed procedures. Talk to the doctor or staff regarding dental cleaning, ear cleaning, microchip placement, vaccinations needed, or any other needed services. A microchip can be vital to the return of your cat should he or she happen to slip out of the house and get lost.
Please call the clinic if you need to reschedule your appointment or have any questions at 480-970-1175.
