Most pets will have a surgical procedure at some stage in their life, eg for neutering (speying or castration) or to treat a disease. Nowadays veterinary anesthetics and surgical procedures are usually very safe, but the risk varies between patients. It is important to work closely with your vet to ensure your cat has the best opportunity for successful treatment. Your care before and after your cat's veterinary procedure is really important.

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If the operation is not an emergency it may be useful for you to arrange some time off work so that you are around to take care of your pet during the recovery period. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications for you to give to your cat prior to arrival at the veterinary hospital. Please give any medications as directed by your vet and let them know if you have any trouble doing so. Since the stress of an operation can lower your pet's resistance to infectious disease, check that your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date before their surgery. Vomiting is dangerous when your pet is under an anesthetic and to reduce the risk of this you will have been asked not to give your pet any food after a specified time by your veterinary team. Water should be freely available until the time you leave home. 

Most veterinary clinics perform their routine operations in the morning or early afternoon. Your veterinarian will ask you to take your pet to the surgery at a particular time. It is important not to be late so that there is time to prepare your pet for its anesthetic. A small patch of fur may be shaved from your pet's leg so that your veterinarian can give intravenous injections or fit instruments to monitor your pet during the anesthetic. You will be asked to sign a consent form stating that you know the purpose of the operation and agree to have it done. If you have any questions then it is important to discuss these with your veterinarian.

When your pet is admitted for their operation, you will be asked to leave a telephone number where you can be contacted, you will usually also be told a time when you can ring to check your pet's progress. After routine operations most animals should be ready to come home within a few hours of waking up from anesthesia. Some animals take longer to come round and your vet will not allow the release of your pet until they are fully conscious. The veterinarian or veterinary nurse will tell you when your pet can be fed and watered, whether they will need any medication and when they will need to be brought back to have wounds checked and/or any stitches removed. Check out the Vetlexicon Felis Post-op care factsheet.