15 hours with no water?!?

Hello, all. Hope your new year is going well.
I have a question about my Vet's instructions for Iris' spay-day tomorrow.
The veterinarian's office (it was actually his tech I spoke to) told me that Iris could have no food or water after 5p.m. today. That is 15 hours before I even drop her off at their office at 8a.m. tomorrow.
That seems a bit extreme to me, but that's what I was told. I understand that different veterinarians have their own procedures that they follow, and I am not trying to second guess the Dr. I just wanted some input from people who have experience with having their cats altered.
I value everyone's input and appreciate your concern. Barry

When my appt was for 8am that they couldnt have any food or water passed 7pm. They didnt have any problems whatsoever with this situation. Granted the other two cats who werent going to the vets were estatic come morning when they got all their food and water back. We even had to go as far as to take away the dogs food and water because the cats will eat his stuff!!! It doesnt seem too unreasonable but I would atleast give 12 hrs of no food or water

I wonder if it depends on what anesthetic they'll be using?

My cat was recently sedated for surgery using iso/sevo gas. The vet told me water was okay, but no food after midnight and I dropped him off at 8am the next morning.

Good luck with the surgery tomorrow!

My vet's office tells me nothing after 10 pm when I'm dropping them off at 8AM the next morning.

My vet wants no food after 8 pm but water is ok til midnight

My vet told me 12 hrs before max got neutered. He was fine and once he got home it was little bits of food at a time since he was still coming out of it. He fell over a few times when I first let him out of the cage and he was disoriented, but once it wore off he was fine. I'd follow the vets orders if that's what he told you to do.

Originally Posted by Nance

My vet wants no food after 8 pm but water is ok til midnight

Click to expand...

Same here, that's what my Vet clinic has always instructed me; whether it for an extensive dental, spay/neuter or intensive tumor removal surgery; no food after 8pm, take water dish away at midnight.

I'd have to seriously question an clinic that said no food/water after 5pm the day before; perhaps it's someone new who doesn't know what they're talking about? If nothing else I'd want a 2nd opinion and to have someone (preferably Vet) explain to me the rationale for such a long total fasting period. Even humans going for surgery begin fasting at midnight.

I think it was after 10 that Attitude wasn't allowed food or water. It might have been earlier for food, I can't remember. She was fine through surgery and I did pay the extra for her to get fluids to maintain her bp. I know she really didn't need it but it made me feel better. When she got back she ate a little and I think she drank a little as well. I was a little worried that Attitude had got some water about 10 mins after 10 but I wasn't worried about it since if she did it was very little and honestly 10 mins isn't that long(abnd I don't even know if she actually drank anything) and I know for humans it's after midnight. I think they gave the earlier time just because humans go to bed early and they don't want you to go to sleep and forget to take up the food and water so they give you a time that is around when people go to bed.

I would ask the vet for clarification. That just doesn't sound right.

If she is otherwise healthy going without water that long shouldn't hurt. I know my other cats were more mad about this than Attitude. They were thrilled to get their food and water back after I dropped Attitude off at 7 AM.

Taryn

No food after midnight. Water is okay.

Obviously it varies from vet to vet. My vet says no food after 9pm, no water after midnight.

I would call again and ask the vet himself, just to make sure. If your vet says 5pm, it's best to listen to him.

Thanks to all who replied to my question.

I've been up since 3a.m., it's now 6a.m. Iris didn't seem to be bothered at all about going without food/water until just a few minutes ago. She started pawing around where her dish usually is, then jumped in my lap when I sat down. She started biting & clawing my hand in an aggressive manner, which is unusual.

I just couldn't stand it! I let her drink some water. Not all she wanted, probably between a half ounce and one ounce. It did seem to calm her down considerably.

I hope I didn't screw up! I will let the them know what I did when I drop her off. If we have to reschedule or pay extra, oh well.

I'll post back and let you know what happens. She has to stay 24 hours, so it may be tomorrow before I know.

Thanks again for all you responses, you're the greatest .

it's now 6a.m.

Click to expand...

. I'm a one-finger typist. It's after 6:30 now

No water after midnight IME too. 5 PM seems barbaric! And I think animals normally do receive IV fluids during surgery? I've never had to pay extra for that, unless I misunderstood what you meant. I just remember a vet reassuring me not to worry about my dog's morning thirst b/c she'd be getting fluids during surgery anyway.

Yes, my vet charges extra, for fluid to keep up their blood pressure. All vets in this area do that. Not sure if they just give extra fluid or if they don't give fluids at all during surgery if you don't pay the extra. I'll have to ask before Nuts loses his(gets neutered.) Doesn't matter I'll pay the extra for it anyways, that and the blood work that I know he doesn't need(that too is optional.)

Taryn

Your kitty will be hooked up to an IV drip during the surgery, so she will not become dehydrated.

So I am guessing that your cat's surgery is over by now?

I hope she has a speedy recovery!

Hey folks! Sorry I took so long to post back but I was up at 2a.m. waiting to get Iris back at 8a.m. Had to catch up on my sleep.

I dropped Iris off at 8a.m. yesterday and she was so scared she was shaking. Our vet apparently boards dogs, whether for medical procedures or people on vacation, IDK. But Iris is terrified of dogs and she could hear them barking. Poor kitty's eyes were WIDE open and she was visibly trembling. I felt awful about leaving her, but it had to be done....

I told the vet's tech that I had given her a drink of water at 6, she didn't seem to think it was an issue. When I picked her up I asked the Dr. and he said it didn't cause any problems.

I was a little disappointed when I picked her up. The Dr. was ready to just hand her over without any instructions (about feeding, handling, potential problems, etc.) except to bring her back in 10 days to have her stitches removed. I had to ask about that stuff, and he was happy to answer my questions, I just felt like he should have offered some care instructions.

Anyway Iris seems O.K. other than being a little sore (and hollow looking - she's a small cat to begin with) & she hasn't eaten much or had much water yet. If that continues I will contact the vet's office tomorrow.

I know it sounds silly for a grown man to be so worried about his kitty-cat, but she's a part of the family and we're all crazy about her - besides, you good people wouldn't even be reading this if you didn't understand.

Thanks a million. Barry

Hmm...do you like this vet? Do you already have a good relationship with him?

I ask because it is outrageous, and completely irresponsible that you were not voluntarily given post surgical instructions. Most vet clinics, when you pick up your kitty, not only have someone speak to you (usually a tech) to tell you what to do and ask if you have any questions, but you are given a printed sheet on what to do and what to watch for.

You might want to think about changing clinics.

PS so glad it's all over and she's home safe and sound!

Originally Posted by Ryffian

Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Remember that getting spayed is major abdominal surgery (it's really amazing how well the animals do bounce back!). And that "hollow" look you describe is perfectly normal. Sorry your vet didn't volunteer more information about recovery, etc, but good job asking questions!

Click to expand...

Do you know what causes that 'hollowed' look? You see it along their side, toward the lower back area.

I've generally always seen it in cats after surgery for a day or so..........but I noticed this in my dear old girl Tigger a week or so before I had to put her down. Makes me wonder if maybe it's tensing up the muscles in there, due to pain maybe? I'd be curious to know. Thx.