Caring for your Ragdoll before after surgery
Most ragdoll cats will have an operation at some stage in their life especially for neutering or, some other problem that may occur.
Nowadays most operations in cats are fairly safe but the success of treatment and recovery
depends to some extent on the quality of care that owners give before and after the
operation.
What do I do before the operation?
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 cat during the recovery period. The risk of any complications
during or after surgery have been much reduced by improvements in surgical techniques and in the
safety of the anaesthetics used. Since the stress of an operation can lower your cat’s resistance to
infectious disease check that your cat’s vaccinations are up-to-date before it has surgery. Vomiting is
dangerous when your cat is under an anaesthetic and to reduce the risk of this you will have been
asked not to give your cat any food after around 7 pm the previous evening, water however can be
available until the time you leave home. (Each individual veterinary may have their own reccomendations
it is important to ask your veterinary of the time you should stop any food or water).
It is important. keep your cat indoors the night before surgery.
Preoperative blood tests:
Caring for your Ragdoll before after surgery
The vet will carry out a full clinical examination before administering an anaesthetic. However, in all
cases we strongly recommend a blood test before administering an anaesthetic to check the general
health status of your pet. The blood tests check the health of the kidneys, liver, screen for diabetes,
blood proteins and red and white blood cell counts. These tests help with anaesthetic safety.
What happens on the day of the operation?
Most veterinaries require your cat to be taken to the veterinary early in the morning.
It is important not to be late so that there is time to prepare your cat for its anaesthetic.
A small patch of fur will be shaved from your ragdolls leg so that your veterinary can give intravenous injections
or fit instruments to monitor your ragdoll during the anaesthetic. When you leave your ragdoll you will be
asked to sign a consent form stating that you know the purpose of the operation and agree to have it
done.
Caring for your Ragdoll before after surgery
When will my ragdoll be able to come home?
When your ragdoll is admitted for their operation, you will be asked to leave a telephone number where
you can be contacted and a member of our team will contact you after the operation and inform you
of your pet’s progress. After routine operations most ragdolls should be ready to come home within a few
hours of waking up from anaesthesia. Some animals take longer to come round and we will not allow
the release of your ragdoll until they are fully conscious. The vet or veterinary nurse will tell you when
your ragdoll can be fed and watered, whether they will need any medication.
Most veterinaries use dissolving stitches (sutures).
What should I do when I get my ragdoll home?
Keep your ragdoll warm on their journey home. At home your ragdoll should be left in a warm, quiet room until
they are fully recovered. Do not allow them to go outside for at least 24 hours. Try to keep your ragdoll quiet
because any sudden movements may put a strain on the stitches. Your vet may prescribe pain
killers, antibiotics or some other drugs to keep your ragdoll comfortable and prevent infection. It is
advisable for you to keep your ragdoll indoors that evening. If your ragdoll has sutures you will be asked to
keep them indoors until these are removed or have disolved
Will my cat be ill after the anaesthetic?
Caring for your Ragdoll before after surgery
It is quite common for your ragdoll to appear ‘groggy’ for a few hours after a general anaesthetic and it may
sleep longer and more deeply than normal. Your ragdoll may be a little unsteady on their feet. If
your ragdoll is hungry you may want to feed a small meal when you get home. Warming the food slightly
and feeding by hand may help if your ragdoll has a poor appetite.
What are the signs of more serious problems?
If your ragdoll is still dull or moving unsteadily when it has been home for 24 hours you should call your
vet for advice. If the stitches have come out or split or there are any convulsions (fits), prolonged
retching or vomiting or signs of swelling, discharges or bleeding from the operation wound contact the
surgery immediately.
Caring for your Ragdoll before after surgery
How do I stop my ragdoll trying to pull its stitches out?
Most cats will lick their wounds they should however get used to having the stitches. If your cat
does try to remove their stitches your vet may give you a collar to fit around your cat’s
neck to prevent them getting at the wound.
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