FERAL CAT POST-OP CARE INSTRUCTIONS
These instructions apply only to feral cats and should not be applied to pet cats for any reason.
Today your feral cat was spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, and his/her right ear was tipped straight across (ear notch).
Leave feral cats in the same carrier/trap you pick them up in at our clinic. Allow the cat to remain in the trap until fully recovered and ready to release. All cats should be kept 24-48 hours in a temperature controlled area. Cover trap loosely with a large towel/sheet for comfort. Make sure to leave some space so the cat can get fresh air. Do NOT stick your fingers through the trap or try and touch or handle the cat. If you are bitten, seek medical attention and do NOT release the cat. The cat must be quarantined. Contact your local Animal Control for quarantine instructions.
- Feeding Instructions: You may offer the cat water and 1/2 amount of a regular diet tonight if they are awake and alert. The cat may choose not to eat due to post-op nausea or being nervous in their surroundings.
- Cleaning Recommendation: Place newspapers or plastic on floor UNDER the trap to catch urine, feces, and food that may fall from the trap. The trap may be carefully placed on bricks or suitable objects to be elevated from the floor so that the cat is not lying in its own waste.
- Monitoring: A small amount of redness and swelling at the incision site is normal. Excessive swelling, drainage, or bleeding from the incision site is NOT normal; you should contact either your local emergency clinic, PAWS, or your regular veterinarian to determine treatment. Feral cats often pant. This can be “Normal” feral cat behavior when they are confined. Occasionally, the right ear may bleed after being tipped; this bleeding should not persist.
- Releasing The Cat: Once the cat is alert, clear-eyed, and shows no signs of illness he/she may be released. Only release cats that are fully awake. Keeping/confining a feral cat for longer than 48 hours creates increased stress for the cat which will prevent proper healing of the surgery site. However, if bad weather or extreme temperatures are present, use good judgment to weigh the risks/benefits of keeping the cat for another day. Always release the cat where it was trapped. Relocating cats is strongly discouraged due to reports of high mortality. When releasing the cat, patiently stand back and allow the cat to leave at its own pace. Leave fresh food and water at the site.
P.A.W.S. cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from a failure to follow post-op instructions or for any animals requiring attention after business hours.