Yes. A female, for example, we are opening up their abdomen and we are physically removing their ovaries and uterus. So yes, of course there is some pain. The good news is, nowadays, the anesthetic protocols that we use, the pain control that we have afterwards, the pain is almost negligible.
Since your cat can experience pain or discomfort from her procedure for 5-7 days after the surgery, it's important to make sure she's as comfortable as possible.
Recovery After Spaying Surgery
Most pets will start to feel better in 24 - 48 hours, but full recovery takes between 10 to 14 days. During this period you should aim to keep your pet calm and refrain from allowing them to jump, as this could cause the incision to reopen.
“They might experience tenderness, be a little less active and have a bit of a decreased appetite for a day or two, but in two to three days, the cat should bounce back to her normal self. “There is no statistical evidence of behavior change due to surgery,” she adds.
Extreme behavior may be a sign that your cat is in a lot of pain post-surgery: This includes anything from hyper-aggression and continuous meowing to hiding and withdrawal. Contact your veterinarian if your cat displays any of these behaviors.
The best approach to keeping cats quiet after surgery is to keep recently spayed or neutered cats in one cat-proofed room for a few days. This effectively isolates them from others who might play or harass them during their recovery.
You cannot leave your cat alone for the first 12-24 hours after she is spayed, since this is a critical time to monitor for postoperative bleeding and normal urination. After this, as long as your cat seems comfortable and is urinating, you may leave her in a confined area with her E-collar in place.
Following surgery, your veterinarian will most likely advise you to restrict your pet's movement for some time (usually a week). Sudden jumping or stretching can cause the incision to reopen and disrupt the healing process.
Do not allow your cat to lick or scratch the incision, as he may pull the sutures out and could introduce an infection into the incision. If the incision is not bandaged, inspect it at least twice daily.
Preparing a cat for surgery
In most cases, veterinarians will tell you to prepare your cat by having them fast from midnightprior to the surgery — meaning no food or treats. Normally it's ok to leave water out for them. Fasting helps reduce the chances that your cat will vomit during surgery.
If your pet is going to lick or begins to lick their incision, they need to wear an E-Collar (plastic cone) for 7-10 days after surgery. A pet can pull out stitches easily which can lead much more damage. 2. Limit activity—no running, jumping or playing for 7-10 days.
Keep your cat in a crate or small room to sleep, and make sure he is comfortable and secure. On the day of surgery, the incision site on your cat might look minorly red and swollen. Check it once per day if your cat allows, and be on the lookout for any excessive redness, swelling, and discharge.
Urine spraying is more likely to occur in both male and female cats when they reach sexual maturity, around 6 months of age. While spayed and neutered cats can also spray, it's less likely if the cat is in a stress-free environment and feels that their social and emotional needs are being met.
Your cat will need to wear their cone between 10 and 14 days after the spaying procedure. It's a necessary safety precaution to prevent infections and other issues. If a cat goes without a cone after this procedure, it's only asking for trouble.
Cats deprived of their front claws may develop an aversion to the litter box because their paws remain sensitive or painful from the surgery, so they avoid scratching in their litter and may begin eliminating around the house instead.
Some hospitals prefer to keep surgery cases overnight so that they can rest in a properly confined area; some veterinarians believe that this first night of confinement helps the incision in healing.
Most pets will stay at the hospital the night after they are spayed or neutered for observation. However, some pets may be allowed to go home that evening. Remember, your pet had a major surgery with anesthetic and they may be drowsy or may try to hide.
Patients can eat, drink, pee, poop, and sleep with a cone on. In fact, the stricter you are with the cone, the quicker they will get used to it. In addition, pets do not hold grudges, so they will not be mad at you for being strict with the rules. If the incision is over the chest or belly, a T-shirt may be worn.
The BiteNot Collar
The collar is made using flexible plastic and foam and appears like a more comfortable alternative to the hard plastic cone. It lowers the chance of the pet running into objects and the size and placement make it easier for the pet to perform daily activities.
Be patient and give your cat time to adjust to their new accessory. Keep a close eye on your cat during the initial hours. Make sure the cone is doing its job and keeping your cat from licking, chewing, or scratching the trouble spot. Be aware, cats can harm themselves if they try to scratch using a hard plastic cone.
Spay surgery usually takes more time and effort than neuter surgery, since removing a male animal's testicles often takes only a couple of minutes. Your veterinarian will need to make an incision into your female pet's abdomen to remove the reproductive organs, making spay surgery a more invasive operation.
Spaying is considered a major operation and requires general anesthesia. With any anesthetic the risk of serious complications, including death, is always possible. With modern anesthetics and monitoring equipment, the risk of a complication is very low.
You can encourage your cat to move a little and access their bed and litter box while wearing the cone, to help acclimate them to the feel of the cone and how it affects their body awareness.
What can I do? Solid deodorant sometimes will work to stop licking—same thing, apply it around the incision. Too much of this can be bad for your pet, though, so if he or she continues licking, you will need to find another solution. T shirts and onsies can also work to help block licking.