What can I do at home to get my cat ready for surgery?

Getting them ready for surgery might involve simply withholding food before the day of the procedure. Other things would be getting them prepared by not letting them be stressed or upset. You can also train them to be in the carrier before bringing them in. That makes that event a little less stressful. And then, you want to prepare the home ahead of time for when they're going to come home and where you're going to keep them. For example, are you going to keep them in a particular room? And what's that going to look like?

Have a conversation and a visit with your veterinarian in preparation for the surgery to know what we're getting into. But with the majority of our cat surgeries, we're going to want to have them fasted before the procedure, so no food in frequent proximity before the procedure. We want them fasted overnight, so no breakfast on the day of. Getting your cat into a carrier or being used to being in their carrier is essential so that they can travel safely to the Drake Center.

One of the things that you should do before your cat's surgery is to prepare them and their environment. If your cat is difficult to catch, consider putting them in a smaller room overnight so that they're easier to handle in the morning. It's also a good idea to have the carrier out for several days before the surgery, as cats can get nervous if they see the carrier come out just before they have to leave.

We often prescribe a calming therapy for your cat. One of the most common medications we prescribe is gabapentin, which is given at home, usually the morning of surgery. If your cat is particularly anxious, we might even have you give a dose the night before surgery. This is all to ensure your cat feels calm and comfortable when coming in for anesthesia and surgery. When your cat comes home after surgery, it's best to keep them in a calm, quiet space away from children and other animals, allowing them to reacclimate at their own pace.