Cat Surgery: What You Need to Know When Your Feline Friend Needs a Procedure

Free First Clinic Visit At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we understand that the prospect of your cat undergoing surgery can be stressful. To help ease your concerns, we've put together this comprehensive guide on cat surgeries, covering everything from types of procedures to pre-operative care and post-surgery recovery. A light blue heart icon on a white background, symbolizing compassion and care, often associated with veterinarians. A minimalist image featuring a large green curved shape on the right side, reminiscent of a veterinarian symbol, set against a plain white background. A simple, solid blue circle centered on a white background, reminiscent of the calm assurance found in a veterinarian's care. A solid green heart shape sits prominently on a white background, symbolizing the care and compassion of a veterinarian's dedication.
A person gently holds an orange tabby cat’s head, examining its mouth, while another person supports the cat from behind, suggesting a veterinary checkup or dental examination.

Types of Cat Surgeries

Cat surgeries generally fall into three categories:

  • Elective surgeries: Non-emergency procedures such as spays, neuters, and dental treatments.
  • Non-elective surgeries: Necessary but not immediately life-threatening procedures.
  • Emergency surgeries: Urgent procedures for wounds, significant injuries, or life-threatening conditions.

A person gently holds an orange tabby cat’s head, examining its mouth, while another person supports the cat from behind, suggesting a veterinary checkup or dental examination.

Types of Cat Surgeries

Cat surgeries generally fall into three categories:

  • Elective surgeries: Non-emergency procedures such as spays, neuters, and dental treatments.
  • Non-elective surgeries: Necessary but not immediately life-threatening procedures.
  • Emergency surgeries: Urgent procedures for wounds, significant injuries, or life-threatening conditions.

Some of the most common cat surgeries we perform at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care include:

  • Spays and neuters
  • Dental procedures
  • Abdominal surgeries (e.g., enterotomy or gastrotomy for foreign body removal)
  • Wound management
  • Fracture repairs
  • Bladder stone removal

A Bengal cat with striking green eyes and a brown, black-spotted coat rests comfortably on a beige cat tree, gazing attentively forward against a plain light background.
A Bengal cat with striking green eyes and a brown, black-spotted coat rests comfortably on a beige cat tree, gazing attentively forward against a plain light background.

Some of the most common cat surgeries we perform at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care include:

  • Spays and neuters
  • Dental procedures
  • Abdominal surgeries (e.g., enterotomy or gastrotomy for foreign body removal)
  • Wound management
  • Fracture repairs
  • Bladder stone removal

Pre-Surgery Preparation

Before any surgical procedure, we require pre-operative lab work. This helps us understand how your cat will respond to anesthesia and assess their overall health. Our veterinarians, Dr. Ryan Smith and Dr. Reid Forman, will be looking at:

  • Kidney and liver values
  • White blood cell count
  • Red blood cell count
  • Platelet levels
  • Protein levels
  • Electrolyte balance

These indicators help us ensure your cat is stable and ready for the procedure.

A fluffy gray and white cat sits on a table while a person wearing blue medical gloves gently holds its back, suggesting a veterinary examination.

What to Know Before Your Cat’s Surgery

When preparing for your cat’s surgery at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, it’s important to:

  • Understand the procedure and its purpose
  • Know the expected recovery time
  • Be aware of any post-operative restrictions
  • Fast your cat as instructed (usually no food after midnight the night before surgery)
  • Ensure your cat is comfortable in their carrier for safe transport

A fluffy gray and white cat sits on a table while a person wearing blue medical gloves gently holds its back, suggesting a veterinary examination.

What to Know Before Your Cat’s Surgery

When preparing for your cat’s surgery at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, it’s important to:

  • Understand the procedure and its purpose
  • Know the expected recovery time
  • Be aware of any post-operative restrictions
  • Fast your cat as instructed (usually no food after midnight the night before surgery)
  • Ensure your cat is comfortable in their carrier for safe transport

Anesthesia Monitoring

At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we take your cat’s safety seriously. During surgery, our highly trained veterinary technicians closely monitor your cat’s anesthesia while our experienced veterinarians perform the procedure.

A light orange cat wearing a black outfit lies on a pink bed while a person's hand gently pets its head.
A light orange cat wearing a black vest lies on a bed with pale pink sheets. A person's hand gently touches the cat's head. The cat looks directly at the camera.

Anesthesia Monitoring

At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we take your cat’s safety seriously. During surgery, our highly trained veterinary technicians closely monitor your cat’s anesthesia while our experienced veterinarians perform the procedure.

Two cats sit on a carpeted floor with toys scattered around. The cat in front is orange with white markings, and the cat behind has a mix of brown, white, and black fur. Cat furniture and a basket are in the background.

Post-Surgery Recovery

Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery:

  • Most soft tissue surgeries: About 10 days
  • Dental procedures: 1-2 days
  • More extensive surgeries (e.g., wound repairs, abdominal surgeries): Up to 2 weeks

Helping Your Cat Recover at Home

To ensure a smooth recovery:

  • Follow all discharge instructions carefully
  • Administer pain medications and antibiotics as prescribed
  • Use protective cones or collars as instructed
  • Enforce any activity restrictions
  • Monitor the incision site for signs of infection or complications
  • Contact us immediately if you have any concerns

A close-up of a tabby kitten with wide eyes and perked ears, nestled comfortably in a soft, light pink, ribbed blanket. The kitten’s front paws are visible, poking out of the blanket.
A brown tabby kitten with big eyes peeks out from between soft, pink, ribbed fabric, looking directly at the camera with its front paws visible.

FAQs About Cat Surgery

Discuss any previous surgical experiences, expected recovery time, and post-operative medications with our veterinarians.

Most cats can go home the same day, typically in the late afternoon or early evening. We’ll provide detailed discharge instructions and ensure your cat has recovered well from anesthesia before sending them home.

This depends on the procedure. Many surgeries, including spays and neuters, involve pain medication. Some cats receive long-lasting medications in the hospital and may not need additional medication at home. We’ll discuss your cat’s specific needs following their procedure.

At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we’re committed to providing the best possible care for your feline friend before, during, and after surgery. If you have any questions or concerns about an upcoming procedure, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (657) 756-5683 or visit our website at Love.vet. Our team, led by Dr. Ryan Smith and Dr. Reid Forman, is here to ensure your cat receives the highest quality surgical care in Huntington Beach, CA.