post operative recovery from anesthesia

I am so worried!  My Felix the Cat had a large lump removed yesterday morning from his side. some muscle had to be removed too.  I do not know if it is cancer yet.  I am worried now because he is still very groggy, his eyes are very dilated, he can barely walk, and he won't eat or drink!  I take him to his litter box in his carrier and he is able to void and defecate.  How long does a cat stay groggy after an operation?  The pain was so bad last night after he came home, he yelled out and growled.  I gave him buprenex as ordered, but I can barely get it in his mouth, much less his cheek. But it seems effective and he sleeps and he isn't trying to "run away" from the pain anymore.  Are his eyes supposed to be dilated so long? When will he love me again?  Thank you for your helping me and Felix.

I'm sorry you and Felix are going through this. I know I'd rather suffer the pain than Ritz if I could. And vibes/prayers that the lump is benign.
I'm guessing that Felix had regular anesthesia, not 'light' (the latter would be appropriate for a dental cleaning). Maybe on par with a spay. Ritz was out of it for most of the day; she threw up afterwards and her eyes were weird. (I'm trying to remember how 'weird' but this was four years ago.) Her appetite was somewhat decreased; this is a cat who lives to eat.
It is good that Oscar is peeing/pooping okay, but I'm concerned about him not eating. When (what time) was the last time he ate--he does need to eat to prevent fatty liver disease. I would give him anything he will eat, maybe some smelling tuna.
If he doesn't eat in a few hours, I'd call the vet and ask him for his professional advice; none of us here are substitutes for vet care. The vet might recommend syringe feeding or an appetite enhancement/anti-nausea? Is Felix acting like he is nauseated--licking his lips a lot?

If he's not any better by tomorrow, definitely call the vet.  He's probably still got some of that anesthesia in his system.  Is he any better now?

I'm so sorry, Ruth. Here is a place you can go for support and see what you can do for your kitty. Lots of posts to read so you won't feel so alone in your journey.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Cats/fibrosarcoma/show/395079

How devastating for you. I am so sorry that you and he have to go through this. I lost a kitty to oral cancer back in 2009. Despite the sadness of his final few months with me, I did everything to make it a magical time - we watched movies every night together, we sat on a blanket in the garden together (he was an indoor cat, so this was a special treat for him). I hope that you can manage to have some special memories with your kitty during this most difficult time. Lots of hugs.

Thank you Mosimom and Scarlett!  I love those Maine Coons!  So smart, big yet gentle, sensitive souls.  Scarlett, the picture of the kitty is gorgeous, what beautiful coloring!  I have been feeling horrible, and I thank you for your taking the time to write to me.  The cancer vet said that chemo and radiation are not good options for my Felix the Cat.  Only a drastic type second surgery where they take out more of my kitty to make sure they get the cancer out might, MIGHT help, but it is a butchering type of surgery, taking out body wall, maybe ribs, and putting in mesh, forget it.  How horrible for him for just a chance when this is such an aggresive cancer.  He will have all sorts of problems during his last months, and like you Scarlett, I want those months to be magical.  He always is with me on the bed, and when his incision is all healed up, I will take him out to the patios.  I do take him for carrying walks, where I carry him bundled up in the evenings all around the complex, which he enjoys so much.  I bring him grass from outside whenever he asks.  I told the vet he hardly eats or drinks since the surgery, and I want to start him on some holistic stuff I bought that I showed the vet, but it has to  be mixed in food.   So he gave me a medicine to increase his appetite called mirtazapine.  He said it might make him meow a lot.  I gave him his first dose 2 hours ago.  One hour after that, all of a sudden my kitty is meowing like crazy!  I rushed to see what was the matter and he led me to the kitchen, then to the ****.  I got out his favorite deli turkey that he has hardly been wanting, and he scarfed it up! WOW! How can it be working already.  Then he started meowing even more, so I gave him some wet cat food, which he scarfed, then several treats, which he scarfed, then he wanted grass and I went outside and got it for him, which he scarfed, but I only give him so much.  So I picked him up and carried him around, and he was still meowing in cute little "mrrrffs"  but purring at the same time.  I am so glad he wants to eat..He also ate his dry food.  Wow this stuff works.  I hope he is not in distress.  He is calm now, sleeping next to me in his spot.  He has his own soft pillow.  Next to mine.  I can't bear the thought of him leaving me.  But I will not put him through undue suffering. I love him ever so much.  Thank you for your thoughts.  Maybe God will make a miracle and intervene and stop the cancer from coming back.  God can do that.  I am praying and asking God to do this for us.  Thank you everyone!  

Ruth, please keep us updated on this journey with Felix. I'm so relieved he is eating and purring right now. Take each day and it's blessings and make memories.
I'm praying and hoping right along with you!

Thank you Mosimom, for saying those wonderful things, for praying and hoping with me!  Maybe God will hear us!  I do not understand what happened, but although Felix still eats, he is in a very sad way, hardly purrs, just lays with his head on things, won't lay down with me much at all, and holds his tail down, never lifts it up high.  He was happier before I gave him this pill.  I want to cry, I feel so hopeless, so bad for him.  I think it has done something with his neurotransmitters in his brain because he is acting very depressed.  Very unhappy.  His chronic diarrhea is worse too, and he hates it when I clean up his behind, but I have to clean him, it flows under his feet, and gets on his behind all over.  Should I just not clean him?  Then he will do it and thats bad for him.  I do not know how to make him happy anymore.

I think Felix is going to have good and bad days. If he has more bad days than good then it is decision time for you. You are the only one to decide
when the suffering is too much and needs to stop. It is a supreme act of love to let your pet go when you think it is time.