Kitten vomits bile after neuter

Hi,
Today we took our 6 month old Nibbler to the clinic to have him neutered. His appointment was at noon so I took away his food and grass at midnight the night before, and water at 9 am. Currently, he's been without food for 21 hour and without water for 12 hours. His surgery ran late so he was neutered 5 hours ago, but has woken up from anesthesia and seems fine other than puking green fluid which I assume is bile. He only puked once so it's not dramatic, but I called the vet and they said not to give him any food or water for 12 more hours and if the vomiting persists to bring him in. This vet is a brilliant surgeon which is why I picked him, but I am having some doubts about this advice. They're extremely busy so it is possible he forgot for how long the kitten has been without food and water. Do you think 24 hours without water and 33 hours without food would be too much?

24 hours does seems like a long time without water. The food isn't too worrying, since cats can go a couple days without food before any liver damage, but cats are always living in a state of dehydration so I would try giving him some water. The vomiting is normal due to the anasthesia causing nausea.

Thank you for your reply! I have been considering offering him at least a little water about 8 hours after the surgery. The green vomit had me scared that fasting was ruining his liver, but if they can go on for longer without food I will be at peace. He's not skin and bones either, though not fat, but he has some reserve for rainy days.

Wow, I wouldn't keep food and water away from him any longer. I always have food and water available as soon as the cat is out of the anesthetic. And vomiting bile means that his stomach is empty and it's making him nauseated. He could also be nauseated from the anesthetic. Either way, getting a little food into him will help. Did you actually talk to the vet or just a receptionist? Sure, fasting for 12 hours is a common precaution when an animal is vomiting, but not if they've already been without food and water for so long.

Personally, I'd offer him a very small amount of canned food (maybe a tablespoon). If he keeps that down, I'd give him a bit more in an hour, etc. until he's eating normally.

What I would do is give the kitten a little water now (like a teaspoon full). I'd call the vet back, now, and make sure that he realizes how long it has been since the kitten had food. (Explaining that you are really worried about how long it has been with no food and water.)

Don't feel like you are being annoying or anything. You are paying for this vet's services, it is your baby cat, and you have a right to understand the directions and be reassured.

So, make the call!

And please let us know how he's doing. We care.

Robin

Aww thanks Robin The kitty is still asleep, but seeing how he was pretty strong and sane when he was awake I am becoming more and more convinced that a little food and water won't hurt him. I will wait for him to wake up first. He hasn't vomited any since, he's just been snoozing. Sadly I caught the vet on his way out (I talked to the receptionist but she went to consult with him first), because I called at 8 pm and now it's already near midnight in my time zone. I bought prescription canned food for convalescent cats, it's pretty thin so I'm sure he will be able to handle a few licks. It was the only food that didn't make my other kitten vomit when she ingested some lime sulfur for gardening.

Well then, when he wakes up, I'd dilute the convalescent food with water (make it a little soupy) and give him about a teaspoon. Then wait half an hour or so and see if he keeps it down. If he does, I'd do the same again.

Of course now you are up to about 2 in the morning caring for the little guy. But this is what comes with being a meowmy. And it's so worth it, isn't it?

If that goes well, then tomorrow morning give him a little more.

Hope he's back to himself very soon.



Robin

Originally Posted by bastetservant

Of course now you are up to about 2 in the morning caring for the little guy.

But this is what comes with being a meowmy. And it's so worth it, isn't it?

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Oh yes it is

Little kitty woke up but he's still obviously nauseated from anesthesia, he refused food and water and although he didn't take any, he vomited again. So I guess he'll listen to his body and eat and drink when he's ready. That soup sounds like a great idea! Surprisingly, he peed and pooped (the usual quality and quantity, I wonder where it all came from!) He's snoozing again, but I am very happy with his overall state other than nausea, he doesn't seem to be in pain and looks like he's handling all this better than me!

Thanks from both of us for help and kind wishes!

UPDATE: He finally got thirsty about 4, and I mean thirsty! He drank water like it's going out of fashion, I had to take it away from him several times and make him take breaks. But he didn't vomit so in the end he was able to drink as much water as he wanted Snoozing now and still no interest in food, but I am sure that will change too pretty soon.

Time to share some good news! He is acting like he's never been to surgery, my family even suggested that they had maybe mixed him up with some other kitten at the clinic and returned him unfixed His appetite is back 100%, and he's chasing an aluminum foil ball right now! Thanks everyone for your help when we needed it the most

Thanks so much for the update. I've been thinking about him all day. I'm so glad he is doing well.

BUT, now, WE WANT PICTURES!!!!!



Robin

Aw that is GREAT news!

Originally Posted by def kitty

Time to share some good news! He is acting like he's never been to surgery, my family even suggested that they had maybe mixed him up with some other kitten at the clinic and returned him unfixed

His appetite is back 100%, and he's chasing an aluminum foil ball right now! Thanks everyone for your help when we needed it the most

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That's great! I'm glad to read that he's doing much better!