If your pet accidentally eats before surgery, you need to tell your vet, as it may be unsafe to proceed on schedule. Give your vet as much information as possible, like what they ate, what time they ate, and how much was consumed. This will help your vet determine when it's safe to perform surgery.
Stop Food. Your pet will need to stop eating prior to surgery. If your dog or cat eats prior to surgery then vomits, stomach contents can travel to the lungs and cause infections, pneumonia or respiratory distress syndrome.
Your veterinarian will give you clear instructions for your pet's diet plan before surgery. The norm is to fast 12 hours beforehand, but there are a few exceptions. Puppies and kittens will be allowed a small meal to give them the energy to go through with the procedure.
Dogs and Cats - On the evening before an operation dogs and cats should eat a normal meal, but have any remaining food taken away by 10pm. This is to reduce the risk of complications related to vomiting under anaesthetic.
Whenever possible, pet owners should ensure that their cat has no food after midnight before a scheduled surgery; however, allowing the cat to drink water will generally be fine.
You might be wondering if a dog can have water before surgery or if dogs should eat before surgery. In most cases, you will be asked not to feed or drink anything to your pet after midnight the night before their surgery.
Healthy patients who are about to have minor surgery can consume a glass of water 4 hours before surgery. Of course, if your doctor has advised you too fast for 12 hours it is highly recommended that you adhere to his or her instructions.
Anesthetized patients lose the normal reflex ability to swallow. If there is food in the stomach, the cat could vomit while under anesthesia or in the early post-anesthetic period. If vomiting occurs in the absence of the swallowing reflex, vomited material can be aspirated or enter into the lungs.
Pre-operative Care
All animals must have food and water withdrawn the night before surgery at 12:00 midnight. Animals must be in good health, so if your pet is showing any signs of illness such as coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, or diarrhea, it is possible that they will be declined for surgery.
Cat Pre-Surgical Instructions
We recommend that you fast your cat the night before surgery but allow them to drink water through the night. Generally, this involves simply picking up your cat's food but allowing them access to water til you depart for the veterinary hospital.
Regardless of the surgery, you'll need to keep your cat inside for their post-op recovery period. And even indoor cats have to avoid running and jumping in order to have a trouble-free recovery.
Looking after your cat
Generally, following an anaesthetic, cats will take up to 48 hours before they are back to normal. Most of this time will be spent sleeping so make sure your cat's bed is placed in a warm, draught-free place where she won't be disturbed.
Some operations require pets to have an empty stomach. You may need to stop your cat from eating or drinking for twelve or even twenty-four hours before surgery. Our veterinarian will confirm this for you. It is important to stick to these instructions to ensure your cat experiences no complications during surgery.
It's considered very safe, typically has a quick recovery time, and has even been used in animals with heart problems. Your veterinarian will choose the type of anesthesia to use based on his or her experience and your cat.
During anesthesia, your cat will be in an unconscious state and will not feel any discomfort.
“Your cat likely will be sore around her incision, so be gentle when handling her for the first few days.” You can expect your cat to act differently for a few days while recovering from the operation; however, experts reassure that her personality will remain unchanged.
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.
Don't try to pet or play with your cat immediately after surgery. While this may feel reassuring to you, it may just keep your cat from feeling safe and rested. Avoid lifting your cat unless it's absolutely necessary. You can easily tear your cat's surgical incision if you lift or move your cat too much.
Approximately half your pet's normal serving of food and water should be offered about two hours after returning home from surgery.
If your pet seems hungry, you can offer small amounts of food but we recommend not encouraging them to eat their entire regular dinner. The effects of the anesthesia will be minimal at most and usually nonexistent by the next morning. If your pet does eat or drink too much, he or she may vomit.
Usually, before having a general anaesthetic, you will not be allowed anything to eat or drink. This is because when the anaesthetic is used, your body's reflexes are temporarily stopped. If your stomach has food and drink in it, there's a risk of vomiting or bringing up food into your throat.
You are encouraged to drink clear liquids before surgery or anesthesia — NOT milk or dairy products — until 2 hours before the time you are scheduled to arrive at the hospital or surgery center. Staying hydrated is good for you, and it's especially important in hot weather! Clear, see-through liquids include: Water.
Staying hydrated is important for overall health, but it's especially important when it comes to preparing for surgery. Dehydration can lead to a number of complications, from dizziness and headaches to nausea and vomiting. It can also increase the risk of infection and slow down the healing process.
Feeding Instructions:
Do not feed your pet after 8:00pm the evening before your pet's anesthetic procedure. Your pet should have water available throughout the night before surgery, but please take their water away first thing in the morning.
Your pet will need to be fasted prior to undergoing sedation or general anaesthesia. You can feed your pet a normal sized dinner up until 9pm the night before the procedure. Pick up your pet's food bowl after this time to ensure no more food is eaten during the night.