Spayed My Cat

vampkitty33

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Hello everyone! I'm posting in the forums again with some new concerns, I hope someone can offer me some advice. I had posted in a separate forum on here with some background in on my cat, Onyx (http://www.thecatsite.com/t/256670/new-cat-owner-please-help). I've had her about 3 weeks, maybe a little more now. Yesterday, my roommate and I took her to the ASPCA truck to be spayed, trim her nails and get shots. We picked her up yesterday evening and brought her back home. She's has one of the cones on her head to prevent her from licking the surgery site. Here's what I am worried about:

1) She is not eating or drinking much. I elevated her food and water bowls so she will have easier access to them because she has that cone thing on. She has had maybe a little water and even less food. She's used her litter box though. I was told I could remove her cone for feeding but (if you read my last post, you'll know), she is still not very used to us and will hiss and try to scratch us. I've tried to offer her food from my hand but she pays me no mind. Should I worry? I've read and was told by a cat owner friend of mine that it's normal for her to not want to eat as much. I just want to reassure myself.

2) She isn't as active as she usually is. She is sleeping and laying around a lot. Is this normal too? I'm sure she is sore and still a little out of it from all that happened. But, I am just concerned. She is the first cat I've ever owned, I love her and want to make sure we are caring for her like we should be.

Please, if anyone has some advice or just some words to ease my anxiety, it would be very greatly appreciated. Thank so much for hearing me out!
 

catspaw66

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Try offering her some stinky wet food that has had some warm water added.  See if she will eat it out of a bowl that you are holding, feeding her with a spoon.  If she will tolerate it, hold the bowl right up to her cone and let her eat.  I had to do that with Silly when she had her eye removed.

Also, you might try some baby food, just make sure it has no onion or garlic in it.

One day is not unusual for a cat to take it easy after surgery.  In fact, she will probably be feeling better tomorrow.  Just keep a fairly close eye on her and reassure her when she sees you near her.  The love you project will be repaid a thousand times.
 
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vampkitty33

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Thank u so much. I've been seein her jus sleep and lay down all day so I jus got so scared! But I'm glad this is a normal thing.
 

stephanietx

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As long as she eats, drinks, and uses the litter box she's okay.  She'll be a bit sore and she might still be sleeping off some of the anesthesia.
 
 
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vampkitty33

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Shesa lil more herself today. My next worry is trying to remove her lil cone collar at the end of the week. Does anyone have any suggestions?
 

stephanietx

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I'd remove it now.  If she starts licking her incision, then put it on.  I've never had to use a cone with a spay or neuter.
 
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vampkitty33

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I thought about that but me and my friend are out working most of the day and it'd be hard to really monitor her licking ya know
 

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I agree with the other advice you have gotten. Not eating and drinking much for a day or two after is normal, but by now she should be showing an interest again in food. CatsPaw66 had some good suggestions with the stinky wet food or baby food. Her activity level will be lower for a few days so no worries there at this point. 

As for the cone- wearing it can cause some problems in and of itself so I would try to take it off her when you are there to monitor. I went and looked at your previous thread so I could be up to speed on some of the problems you have been having with her. Overall I agree with the posters over there- Onyx has had a huge life shift and it's going to take her a little while to settle in. Right now she probably feels like nothing is her own and she's reacting territorially. Two things I think you can do to really help this problem is 1) treats and 2) play. 

Buy a few different brands of treats to see which one she likes best. Hopefully you will be able to find that "jackpot" treat that she will do just about anything for. To get the cone on and off, first just give her a few treats. Then give her one and put you hand on the back of her neck where the cone attaches to get her used to that. Then, with the next treat slip it off. If it's really a stressful process then you may just need to leave it on but hopefully this will help you to get it off when the time comes. 

Just after surgery is not the time to start this but once she is recovered really engage her in play. Get a couple of wand toys and move them around like they were prey. Be sure you let her "win" by catching it as much as she wants, and then entice her to keep going by wiggling it away from her. After a good play session reward her with some treats or a nice wet food snack. After that is the time to try and incorporate some affection. It may just be a few pets at first but hopefully she will warm up. By playing with her regularly you will increase her comfort level with you and with her new home. Over time she will associate the entire home as "hers" and be less territorial. Be sure you still allow her quiet places and give her privacy when she goes there- she needs her time to decompress. And, when she's out and about give her lots of praise and treats. 

I know it's frustrating that you had an idea in your head of what adopting her would be like. I think if you give it time and really work with her through play and food she will warm up and be the kind of cat you were expecting! Remember too her hormones may be a little wacky for a month or two so just go slow and be patient. 

Thanks to you and your roommate for taking her in and being committed enough to get her spayed and caught up with the rest of her vet care. She may not be showing it right now but she is extremely lucky to have both of you!  And, remember there are absolutely no stupid questions. She is your first cat and there are a lot of things that are going to be new to you. Post as many threads as you need to to get your questions answered. It's far better to ask and get reassurance than not ask and have something be wrong. You are doing a great job so far so just hang in there and keep giving her time to adjust! 

EDIT: I didn't elaborate on the problems with cones. Because it cuts off a huge part of her vision you may see an increase in aggression because she doesn't know whats going on. It may be worth buying a reusable fabric cone that just velcro's on. That way you can get it on and off much quicker than you can the plastic ones. They aren't often advertised for cats but are for dogs and are relatively inexpensive (I've seen the small dog ones for $20). Something to consider anyway. Something else that may be worth investing in is the book "How to think like a cat" by Pam Johnson-Bennett. It does a fantastic job of explaining the importance of play and how to read your cat's body language. Your local library may even have a copy. I just read it recently and, even though I have a lot of experience with cats, I learned a ton. I highly recommend it! Finally, get online and watch episodes of the show "my cat from hell." Not because I think Onyx has problems to that extent, but because it will give you a great visual on how to incorporate play and food. 

Hope some of this helps! 
 
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vampkitty33

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Thank u so much! Im a lil thrown off now. She is way more active and keeps taking the cone off herself. But, she isn't licking herself at the surgery sight so that's good. she's allowed us to pet her recently but will then hiss and scratch if u try to walk away or by her. shes also become very needy, very vocal which she never really was. she'll meow and scratch on our bedroom doors. we ignore it but it doesnt stop. She will follow us around but will hiss/scratch if we walk in her direction. She will meow by the doors. Im a very light sleeper and its driving me nuts. Wat should I do?
 

eb24

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If she's getting the cone off on her own and not licking at her stitches you are probably fine to leave it off. Just watch her closely for a couple of hours before you leave her alone without it to make sure she's not licking. 

As for petting, I would start by only petting her on the head and keeping it really short. Ideally, you want to stop petting her before she hisses and scratches. Start watching her body language as she's probably indicating to you in advance that she's getting agitated. Pulling her ears back or flicking her tail hard are two good indicators that she's about to go into mean mode. 

Is she lunging at your ankles when you walk by or walk away? Or, is she under something/in a corner when you walk by? The first is likely her "stalking" you as her prey. She's viewing you as something to hunt. With the latter she is being territorial. You are coming into her space and she's letting you know that if you do she will attack. Increasing your play with her will drastically help in both of these circumstances. Also, block off spaces in the common area that she can "hide" and be territorial over, and give her more appropriate options of where to go to chill out. A covered bed or a hidey hole placed in an unpopulated area is a great alternative. Also, start trying to maximize her vertical space. A prefabricated cat tree is the easiest (but also most expensive) way to go about this. Otherwise, a few strategically placed book shelves or one or two pieces of wood attached to the wall can get her up off the ground. This way, she can still see whats going on and participate without feeling so threatened and territorial. 

As for her wanting in the rooms at night: I'm guessing she is curious and wants to explore. Is there a reason she is being blocked from the bedrooms? If you can I would keep the doors open at night for awhile and let her feel it out. If they have to stay closed then keep them closed all the time. She either needs to have access to the bedrooms all the time or not at all. If it's really bothersome you can get an air gun that has a motion sensor on it and put it outside the doors. When she goes up to them it will give off a little puff of air- not enough to hurt her but enough to scare the crap out of her and make those doors super unappealing. It's not my favorite technique (I prefer only positive reinforcement) but it will work, especially if you need a quick fix. 

Overall it sounds like she is still learning the lay of the land and what the rules are. Start integrating play as soon as her incision heals, block off those low lying territorial areas, and give her vertical space and I really think you will see a huge change. 
 
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vampkitty33

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Many thanks again! She's doin great. She doesnt lick the site at all thankfully and it looks like its healing beautifully. And last nite I tired her out with play before I went to sleep and she was great all night- NO scratching or meowing!
 

eb24

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And last nite I tired her out with play before I went to sleep and she was great all night- NO scratching or meowing!
Amazing!!!! Sounds like you did a perfect job if she was content all night!

Happy to help anytime. 
 
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