New Member - Problems after Spaying?

sashabella

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Hi everyone,

I'm new to the site. Sasha Bella is my 7 month old tabby and I also have Tigger, about 7 years old, and he's my "Katrina" cat (rescued after the storm).

Sasha was spayed on Monday. Her belly looks perfect and she hasn't had any vomiting, loose stools, pretty much she is acting normal except she is tired. Last night she kept wanting to lie on me, it was clear she had a fever and she had chills. This morning she was fine so I hoped that was all over. Unfortunately when I came home from work she was back to fever and chills again.

Took her into the vet - he did a chest x-ray because her heart rate was high (160-180) and she was breathing shallow. He thought maybe she had fluid in her lungs. Nothing was wrong that he could see. However, he did mention that sometimes when a cat has surgery other things that are wrong are uncovered. He mentioned heart issues (myocardia?) and has me terrified. I seriously almost fainted when he said this could be something serious. He gave her a steroid shot and sent her home (fever 102.5) and said to watch her for another 24 hrs. She still has a high heart rate but is acting fairly normal - doesnt want to drink but will eat.

I'm so frightened that something might really be wrong with my baby. I can't figure out how the high heart rate might be OK. Perhaps it's all from the surgery? I'm wondering if anyone has ideas that might help me figure this out. I love my little girl with all my
, just lost my stepdad and uncle in the last few weeks and just want her to be OK.

Any ideas?

Thanks so much

Sasha's Mommie (Lauri)
 

cheylink

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I know how worried you must be! I can't advise on Sasha's situation, but I am definitely sending lots of her way. The only thing I can suggest is to let her snuggle with you and keep a close eye on her (which you already are)
.
 
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sashabella

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Hi Cheylink,

Thanks - looks like your kitty and Sasha could be related
I haven't figured out how to post a photo yet but I hope to soon.

She is cuddled up with me right now. Her respirations and heart rate are high but she doesn't seem too bothered by it.

Thanks for the good vibes!
 

otto

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HI Lauri and welcome to the forum

I can understand why you feel so scared, but don't panic!

102.5 is not a very high fever, a cat's normal temp is 101-101.5

That is a high heart rate, but not so high, considering she must have been frightened to be at the vet.

See if you can take get a heart rate while she is resting. I am not experienced in that, don't know where to find a pulse, maybe you can lay your head against her chest, and listen, count heart beats for ten seconds. Multiply by 6.

I don't know anything about mycardia, but you do need to get fluids into her, so I would advise feeding her canned food only. Add a little warm water to the canned food, to get even more fluid into her.

Start with just a teaspoon, and if she doesn't object, next time try adding a little more.

If she is used to an all or mostly kibble diet, of course you will have to do the canned food transition slowly, to avoid tummy upsets and diarrhea. You can use a probiotic to help with that, too.

Please keep us updated on your Sascha Bella.
 

mews2much

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I hope she will be ok.
Did you do blood tests before she was altered?
I did that with Wrinkles last week even though she is almost 7 months old and she still had a problem but is fine now.
 
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sashabella

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I have been mixing some water with a tiny bit of milk and she's been drinking that. She does eat only Kibble and has been eating well.

The heart rate was while she was sleeping on top of me. That is why I'm really concerned. I just took a respiration and it was 80 (normal 40 or so but up to 100). No question her heart rate is up, with a slight fever but the shivers that she had earlier are gone. It almost seems like she's bad for a few hours and then it goes away for a while....

Thanks so much for the kind words and thoughts, sometimes its just nice to know that others are with you in your concern.
 

stephanietx

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Make sure she continues to eat and stays hydrated. I'm wondering if the high heart rate is a side effect of the anesthesia?? (Just thinking out loud here...) Also, the fever after the procedure might indicate in infection related to the spay OR she might've picked up an upper respiratory infection while there. That's very common.

Keep a close eye on her, which you're doing. Get her some canned food and warm it up for a few minutes in the microwave. Warming it will enhance the aroma and hopefully entice her to eat. Mix in a teaspoon or 2 of water to make it an oatmeal like consistency. This will help with hydration and nutrition.

Whatever you do, don't hesitate to call the vet's office or an emergency vet if you notice any worsening of her condition.
 

kailie

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Welcome!

I have nothing to add that hasn't already been suggested, but I did want to let you know that I am thinking of Sasha Bella and sending vibes!
 

otto

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Just checking in to see how Sascha Bella is this morning!
 
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sashabella

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Well, she is back at the vets again
She isn't drinking, I gave her water mixed with a little milk last night and she took that but then got wise. She is still eating and acting like a tired version of herself. Her heart rate was high most of the night and breathing a little fast.

The vet is going to give her IV fluids and try to figure out what the heck is going on with her. He wanted to know if I gave her any topical flea meds in the past few weeks (?) - but I haven't. Sounds like he's looking for something that caused a reaction. I just have a difficult time believing this has nothing to do with the spay.

So frustrated and scared....just want my baby to be OK!
 
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sashabella

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I'm crying now
He says that he is starting to truly believe its an underlying heart problem and wants to have her get an echocardiogram at another location (about an hour away). She has always been perfect until now. I lost a kitten to spaying a few years ago - I'm not sure I can every spay one again. This is crazy.
 

otto

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Originally Posted by sashabella

I'm crying now
He says that he is starting to truly believe its an underlying heart problem and wants to have her get an echocardiogram at another location (about an hour away). She has always been perfect until now. I lost a kitten to spaying a few years ago - I'm not sure I can every spay one again. This is crazy.
I am very sorry to hear this. Was blood work done prior to the spay? I recommend a second opinion with another vet.


Were both spays with the same vet? If so, I would be looking for another vet.

There are risks with any surgery, and a surgery can bring to light a preexisting problem. But whether you spayed her or not, if she has a health problem, it would affect her life. Certainly, endless heat cycles would not be the answer.

All paws crossed you get to the bottom of it soon.
 

mews2much

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I almost lost a lucy to a spay also and was very scared with Wrinkles.
Did they use Ketamine?
It can cause the problems your cat is having.
In fact my friends cat died during a dental from it.
He had HCM and no one new.
I hope your cat will be ok.
 
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