My 9 month old Sadie

 Hi folks, 

I'm curious to know something.  We just returned home about 2.5 hours ago after picking up our Sadie Girl from the vet.  She is 9 months old and just got spayed today, along with her vaccs.  She was in heat when they did the procedure.  She seemed pretty together after we picked her up, she was sitting up, she even pooed once.  We gave her the pain medication at the scheduled time.  Now she looks like a dead cat.  It scared me when I went in to check on her.  she hasn't moved in a 2 hours.  She's laying on the floor, on her side.  Her mouth is a bit open and she just seems so out of it.  She's not dead, she is breathing and twitching, but I'm worried.  I know what she went through is pretty serious on her body.  The vet is closed now, so I can't call, unless it's an emergency.  My daughter is a little worried too.  We weren't expecting this.  Is it normal?  They gave her benopephrine or something like that for pain...  Any advice?  Thanks!  Daisy

That is NOT normal!  I'd call the vet and see what to do for an emergency or call the emergency vet if you have one in your area.  Almost sounds like too much med.  I've had 3 females spayed and have never had to give them pain meds.
 

Call your local ER vet immediately. Just to be sure. It doesn't sound normal at all.

I think the drug you are referring to is: buprenorphine by the way. Make sure you tell them the correct name

HOw is your cat now.  I hope he is better.  I agree that kind of reaction is not normal. 

Hi gang,

Sadie is better this morning.  She got up and walked to the dog's water dish and drank of her own will.  She began looking for a sunning place.  She was doing great until I gave her the pain med.  It is Bupenorphine, as bigperm already pointed out.  We did some research on it and it is a derivative of Morphine.  It sedates the cat supposedly and the effect wears off after a few hours.  I would say it has a comatose affect.  I won't be giving it to her again.  I only gave her half her dose this morning.  I was worried we were going to lose her last night.  Last night, she got very cold and stiff, but kept breathing.  About an hour after I posted, she got up and went potty and then laid back down.     This morning, I have her laying on a heating pad on low and a blanket to keep her warm.  Thank you all very much for your concerns and for helping with information.  I appreciate it and this community of cat lovers very much.     Sadie is doing fine, now.  

Daisy  

I'm glad she feels better. Yes, Bupenorphine is related to morphine in it's strength dose per dose, but that's where it ends as far as similarities. I'd get get into the pharmacology but that's not the issue here. I have a few questions for you. -Were there complications with your cat's surgery? Why did they prescribe pain medicine? My 7 month old was fixed a couple of months back and needed no meds at all. (I'm not trying to be nosey just curious.) Did the doc tell you it was ok to put. Her on a heating pad? I would think heat =swelling=infection VS cold=reduced swelling=healingYou might want to call the docs and make sure it's ok to have her on heat. They should have also given you an after hours number to call. Don't worry about bothering them they'd rather you call to make sure than something bad happen. Trust me.

I am sooo glad she's feeling better!  I'm with you, don't give her any more of the meds!  Also, be sure you let the vet know how she reacted and put that on her list of meds to not be given unless it's the last resort and only after discussing the situation with you.

Please keep us posted on how she's doing!!
 

No, there were no complications.  They said she did fine and all went well.  I didn't ask why they prescribed pain meds.  I thought it was normal.  The doctor gave us a long list of don'ts and heat was not one of them, so I assumed it was okay.  Her body temperature was cold to the touch.  It didn't seem normal to me.  I see your point though, thank you for letting me know.  Are you a vet or have you worked in the field?  Just curious.  Thanks for your help.  

Thanks Stephanietx -  Thanks for all your support!  

I am so glad the outcome is so good.  From your description earlier in the thread the behavior was not normal.  I've had 3 females spayed and none have had the symptoms you have described.  Glad it all came out well for you guys
 

Thanks, Mike...  I think she'll be fine.  Thank you all very very much.  I'm guessing, and will find out Monday for certain, that she had an allergic reaction to the pain medication.  She acted comatose.  It was very odd and made me really nervous for her.  She is so much better today, but still not eating.  I suspect she is nauseated from all the anesthesia and bupoo meds..     I'll be so glad when she is back to normal.  This is as worrying as when your own children are sick...  sheesh...  

If you can get some, try feeding her some plain meat baby food.  Be sure it has no onions or garlic and not ham.  She needs to be sure to eat something.
 

  SADIE IS EATING!!!  I'm so happy.  Finally all better.  I tried everything BUT babyfood last night, Stephanie!  She didn't eat until this morning.  After more than 48 hours of fasting, should I just feed her small bits every couple of hours?  The vet said, when we get home Friday afternoon, she could have small bits every couple of hours and then her normal diet Saturday morning.  She wouldn't touch food when we got home and didn't eat at all yesterday.  Barely drank anything either.  I know what it is like to fast and how dangerous it can be to EAT when you are done fasting.  It needs to be a slow progression.  I don't know how animals deal with fasting.  They aren't human and have different metabolisms and digestive systems.  So, can she be fed her normal meals now or should we progress slowly?  Thanks again folks!  Sadie is doing fantastic.  

Every time I get a cat neutered I get a long list of dos and donts from the vet, but the cat has never listened!  Minnie shot out of the cat carrier for a few circuits of the wall of death and stuffed her face before settling down on me for a cuddle.  Sparky was stiff for a day but then carried on feeding her kittens which were 6-8 weeks old.  The vet said she should have stopped feeding them and neutering would stop her, but she stopped when she was ready - when her favourite went to his new home.

I have also never been given painkillers to bring home with them.

The usual spay in the UK is in the flank, and Minnie and Janice both had 1cm incisions - just under 1/2 inch.  Sparkys I think was bigger.  The muscle fibres are not cut but separated, so it all springs back and there is just the skin to stitch.