Kitten not eating or drinking after spaying

Hi guys, new to the forum and need a littel advice if at all possible.  I have kept cats for several years but they have always been Toms - I usually take in strays or kittens that have been dumped and for some reason they have all been male!  Anyway, i always get them neutered and have never had a problem.

The last kitten we found dumped in the middle of the middle of the road was a little girl. She is now 8 months old and I took her to be spayed yesterday. She was round from the anaesthetic when I picked her up although she did look a little shell-shocked and shaky. Brought her home, settled her in a quiet room with litter box, wet food and water.  the op was yesterday afternoon adn since then she hasnt eaten or drunk anything. I cant tempt her at all.  and she wont come out of her basket, just keeps hiding in the back.  From what I can see of the incision site it looks OK and today she is moving around a little and cleaning herself without screaming but she stil wont eat or drink.

Is this normal? its been about 19 hours since the op.

Thanks in advance

bertiebassett said:

Hi guys, new to the forum and need a littel advice if at all possible.  I have kept cats for several years but they have always been Toms - I usually take in strays or kittens that have been dumped and for some reason they have all been male!  Anyway, i always get them neutered and have never had a problem.
The last kitten we found dumped in the middle of the middle of the road was a little girl. She is now 8 months old and I took her to be spayed yesterday. She was round from the anaesthetic when I picked her up although she did look a little shell-shocked and shaky. Brought her home, settled her in a quiet room with litter box, wet food and water.  the op was yesterday afternoon adn since then she hasnt eaten or drunk anything. I cant tempt her at all.  and she wont come out of her basket, just keeps hiding in the back.  From what I can see of the incision site it looks OK and today she is moving around a little and cleaning herself without screaming but she stil wont eat or drink.
Is this normal? its been about 19 hours since the op.
Thanks in advance

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I went through this with a kitty I had spayed. Call the vet. My kitty had to go back in. They gave her fluids sub q and she was fine after that. My vet didn't charge
for the follow-up but I don't know if your vet will. My Kitty was obviously dehydrated which made her feel bad enough to not be interested in food or water.
Good luck and let us know how she's doing.

JodieThierry64 said:

I went through this with a kitty I had spayed. Call the vet. My kitty had to go back in. They gave her fluids sub q and she was fine after that. My vet didn't charge
for the follow-up but I don't know if your vet will. My Kitty was obviously dehydrated which made her feel bad enough to not be interested in food or water.
Good luck and let us know how she's doing.

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Agreed  She just might a little help to get going after surgery.  Let us know how she does!

Welcome to the site!

Thanks for reply. I'm going to keep an eye on her a bit longer because, shortly after i posted she came out of her basket, had a good stretch and then used her litter tray for a long pee and a little poop. She followed that up with a wander around the room and has now gone back to bed. Her breathing has evened out now as well, more of deep sleep breathing instead of short fast ones!

Please don't let her reluctance to eat or drink exceed 24 hours, after that she starts to become at risk for a very dangerous fasting-related liver disease that will further rob her of her desire and ability to eat and would put her life at risk.  The cause of the disease, called hepatic lipidosis is directly caused as a result of not eating.  Even if you wish to wait I would urge you to call your vet and talk to him or her and get a phone consult follow up.

My Chrissy did the same thing after she was spayed too, it scared me to death. She didn't hardly move for almost two days except to use the litter box. Please try to tempt your baby with some nutritious juice to rehydrate her, like tuna juice, or get some meat baby food in a jar and mix it with water, she does have to eat soon. I agree to call your vet and see what they say, they might have suggestions too. Put some water on your finger and wet her lips, or even her paw so she licks it off, it might get her started. Good luck!

I've been trying to tempt her with bits of wet food, managed to get a little in to her mouth, also been dripping water in, along with smearing meat juices gently round her mouth. she is responding bit by bit. I did phone the vet and he said this is what I should do but if she is not improved by the morning, to take her back and he will check her over.  Looks like a long night ahead, but we'll get there

bertiebassett said:

I've been trying to tempt her with bits of wet food, managed to get a little in to her mouth, also been dripping water in, along with smearing meat juices gently round her mouth. she is responding bit by bit. I did phone the vet and he said this is what I should do but if she is not improved by the morning, to take her back and he will check her over.  Looks like a long night ahead, but we'll get there

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If you have a syringe or eye dropper try giving her fluids.If you get her hydrated she probably will start to feel better. Also if you can get some chicken or turkey baby food she might eat. They love it also it's easy to syringe. It's a temporary fix but might get her feeling better.

Like what was said, don't let her go 24 hrs without food. It can cause severe problems.

Happy days she started to drink yesterday, not a lot but she never was a big drinker anyway, possibly because i feed her wet food? anyway, she ate  little meat off my hand last night but that was it. Got  up this morning with the intention of taking her to the vets, walked into her room and she started purring at e, something she hasnt done since she came home. She is now tucking into a bowl of food   Will keep an eye on her through the day but i think we may be back on the road to recovery

bertiebassett said:

Happy days she started to drink yesterday, not a lot but she never was a big drinker anyway, possibly because i feed her wet food? anyway, she ate  little meat off my hand last night but that was it. Got  up this morning with the intention of taking her to the vets, walked into her room and she started purring at e, something she hasnt done since she came home. She is now tucking into a bowl of food   Will keep an eye on her through the day but i think we may be back on the road to recovery

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That's great news!! I think your girl is on the road to recovery!!!!!!
YIP YIP YIPPEE!!!!!

she didnt eat much but i guess a little is better than nothing and she is still purring away so i'll keep temtng her throughout the day.

Ok, so kitten has been gradually eating, little and often, throughout the day. However, she is still very lethargic and when she walks, her back is hunched and her tail is held away from her body, like it is when  they go to the toilet. Does this mean she is in pain? her wound looks very clean and looks to be healing OK, no redness swelling or leakage anywhere.

I'm sure she is in some pain, she's been through a tough surgery. It sounds normal to me, I remember my Chrissy took SO long to recover it had me worried to death, like you are. As long as she shows small signs of advancement, and she is, I think she's getting better. Eating small amts. and drinking are the main things, and just make sure she is going to the bathroom OK. The fact that she is walking at all is encouraging, she's trying! My Chrissy didn't really 'wake' up and act normal for a week after her surgery. Good luck, and keep posting!

Thank you, you have set my mind at ease :-) she hasn't used her litter box since yesterday but she has only just started to eat again so maybe tonight! I have a warm hot water bottle tucked underneath her blanket and she is curled up on top of it right now dozing

wow! what a transformation!  this morning, she's bouncing around everywhere, screaming at me cos her litter tray is dirty! i belive my little girl is back  

YAY!!!! Congrats!

Great news!!!

I'm pleasd to say that little Pickles is now her normal bouncy manic self again Thank you all for your advice, you really set my mind at ease adn helped me

bertiebassett said:

I'm pleasd to say that little Pickles is now her normal bouncy manic self again Thank you all for your advice, you really set my mind at ease adn helped me

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I'm so happy she has bounced back to her normal self. I Love the name Pickles!!!

JodieThierry64 said:

I'm so happy she has bounced back to her normal self. I Love the name Pickles!!!

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So called because she was in a pickle when she was found - screaming her head off in the middle of the road! she had only just opened her eyes as well so she wasnt very old