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15 hours with no water?!?

post #1 of 25
1/13/10 at 11:17am
Thread Starter 
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
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post #2 of 25
1/13/10 at 11:39am
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
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post #3 of 25
1/13/10 at 12:53pm
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!
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post #4 of 25
1/13/10 at 4:00pm
My vet's office tells me nothing after 10 pm when I'm dropping them off at 8AM the next morning.
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post #5 of 25
1/13/10 at 4:04pm
My vet wants no food after 8 pm but water is ok til midnight
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post #6 of 25
1/13/10 at 4:12pm
As long as your kitty is otherwise healthy, going that long without water should be no problem. And if you're ever concerned or confused about something a tech/office person says, don't hesitate to ask to speak with the vet for clarification. And from a vet's point of view, it's a lot easier to go in and get that uterus out without a full bladder in the way.
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post #7 of 25
1/13/10 at 4:33pm
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.
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post #8 of 25
1/13/10 at 5:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nance View Post
My vet wants no food after 8 pm but water is ok til midnight
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.
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post #9 of 25
1/13/10 at 7:44pm
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
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post #10 of 25
1/13/10 at 8:02pm
No food after midnight. Water is okay.
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post #11 of 25
1/13/10 at 10:16pm
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.
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post #12 of 25
1/14/10 at 4:39am
Thread Starter 
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.

Quote:
it's now 6a.m.
. I'm a one-finger typist. It's after 6:30 now
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post #13 of 25
1/14/10 at 4:51am
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.
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post #14 of 25
1/14/10 at 10:19am
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
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post #15 of 25
1/14/10 at 11:46am
Your kitty will be hooked up to an IV drip during the surgery, so she will not become dehydrated.
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post #16 of 25
1/15/10 at 1:19am
So I am guessing that your cat's surgery is over by now?

I hope she has a speedy recovery!
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post #17 of 25
1/15/10 at 2:11pm
Thread Starter 
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
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post #18 of 25
1/15/10 at 3:25pm
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!
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post #19 of 25
1/15/10 at 7:04pm
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!
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post #20 of 25
1/15/10 at 8:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryffian View Post
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!

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.
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post #21 of 25
1/16/10 at 4:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by the_food_lady View Post
Do you know what causes that 'hollowed' look? You see it along their side, toward the lower back area.
I don't know (they didn't cover that phenomenon in vet school), but I'll try to find out!
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post #22 of 25
1/16/10 at 9:14pm
My kitten gets altered monday she can have water until we take her to the vet.
No food after 8 though.
It was the same with my other cats.
Also my vet uses disolving stitches.
Your vet should havd gave you info.
Mine always gives aftercare instructions.
I am glad your cat is ok.
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post #23 of 25
1/17/10 at 6:13am
Thread Starter 
Iris thanks you for your concern!

She was kind of lethargic for close to 24 hours, from the anesthetic, I'd guess. She's pretty much back to her old self this morning. She got up with me when I made coffee and "yoooowled"* at me as usual. (*translation: It! Is! Time! To! Play!)

I think she was sore from the surgery and just didn't realize it until the meds wore off completely. She was on the couch, jumped down to follow me to the garage, and just stopped in her tracks for a couple of seconds. I think she then realized that she needed to take it easy for awhile. But she's been eating, having healthy bowl movements & urinary output. We played for awhile this morning and she's now napping as usual.

As for the vet, he and his technician are very nice people but I think they probably work more with larger animals. Dogs, horses, farm animals, and the occasional camel - there actually is someone within a mile of his office that has a camel! I see it sometimes with it's neck through the fence grazing (the grass is always greener on the other side, y'know). The surgery was cheap enough ($65.00 US & that included boarding and everything else) but the Dr. didn't even address a possible eye infection that I mentioned to the tech on two separate occasions. It's not severe and maybe not an issue at all, but still...

I think after he removes her stitches, we'll find a vet who is a little more understanding of "weird cat people". I can understand how a veterinarian might see my pet as "just another patient" but I'd also like to think that he understands how easily these cute little critters can steal a piece of their owner's hearts.

Thanks for your understanding. BR
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post #24 of 25
1/19/10 at 12:03am
I am glad that she is doing well!

Yeah, I think I would fid another vet. Most vets would have said something about her eye!
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post #25 of 25
1/19/10 at 9:49am
I would find another vet also.
My Wrinkles had some hived before she was altered yesterday and they asked about them.
They asked so many questions.
She also was allowed water until we left for the vet.
My vet does uses disolvable stitches also not the kind that need to b removed.
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