Cat keeping one eye shut after neutering?

I took my cat Greg McMuprhy to be neutered Thursday. He also received a couple vaccinations such as Rabies, FLV etc. He's been rather lethargic and less than lucid, but I was told this was normal due to the anesthesia; however, I have noticed that his right eye cannot seem to open all the way. He seems to try to open it, but it generally remains shut. He is becoming a bit more aware and present, but the problem is persisting. Any ideas? Is it cause for concern?

Yes, I would be concerned. And also bring him back to the vet for a re-check. Re-checks are usually free of cost, and vets usually want to know if any complications, swelling or adverse reactions happened or are happening.

Your cat, Greg McMuprhy may have accidentally scratched his right eye, or had it scratched during the neuter procedure or coming out of anesthesia...so I would definitely get his eye checked out.

He may need some eye drops to get it to heal. (One of the painkillers called Buprenex, also caused my one cat's eye to dilate, and not the other (not for a neuter, though)...so it may also be a reaction to any pain meds given.

Hopefully, he will heal well, and fast.

Neuters are often not very long, or complicated. But don' t involve the eye in any way.

Good luck to your cat, and please update if you can.

Hello!

Sorry for the delayed response! I inspected his eye - which made him flinch, but no fussing - and it appeared watery and a little irritated. However, the next day his eye was opening, and right now his eyes appear to be back to normal. I am not certain if the situation resolved itself with his eye, and if I should get it checked. 

His incision location looks good, and he hasn't messed with it - not even during the grooming process. However, he still seems a bit lethargic and worn down. I was told by a vet tech this is normal and not to worry, but given that it's been four days I am starting to rethink their answer. 

Oh, I am glad that he sounds better.

Having any type of eye related issue can be quite scary...and I guess I always err on the side of caution, and take my guys in.

How old is your Greg ?

And yes, four days being lethargic and worn down...sounds a bit too long...even if vaccines and neuter was done.

Can you call your vet up on the phone, and speak to them directly, or have them call you back.

Sometimes, vet techs, give you the standard responses, but vets will ask more detailed questions.

They might be able to take his temperature, and look at him, to make sure he's not running a fever.

Is the vet place far, or are you worried about extra expenses. Ask about the costs on the phone, as well.

I really hope your guy heals well, and bounces back fast.

Thank you. It is scary, and I agree to err on the side of caution.

It's hard to say his age. He was a stray I rescued from the streets. I am guessing between 1.5 to 3 years old. I should also note he is FIV positive (I had him retested).

It was a low-cost animal clinic that I took him too to get neutered. It was recommended by my vet to cut down on the costs of the surgery, which he said is hard to botch up. The problem is that it is almost impossible to get a hold of them at times, and I get the sense they were brushing off my concerns. Maybe I am just being sensitive, but before I finished my sentence when I called them the day after to discuss his lethargy, they were telling me how normal it was and to expect it for several days.

On a plus, he is still eating a great deal, and drinking - though not drinking as much. It's just that unless he is eating or using his litter box, he is passed out or just plopped down. Maybe I should call my actual vet?

Yes, I would probably call the usual vet, but more than likely, that does mean a new office visit, that you'd have to pay for.

(I'm not sure how to accurately take my own cat's temperature, or what it is supposed to be, so that won't help).

He sounds fairly young, so that is good.

They tend to recover from things faster. But being FIV+ would make his immune system a bit more sensitive, from what I was told.

(My vet did tell me to make sure to take in my previous rainbow cat, who was both felv+ and fiv+, to the vet, as soon as possible, if I noticed he was not feeling well.

That common things, or anything simple to other cats, can be a little more involved in my guy. So, she said not to worry, but to be more vigilant, and treat him faster for better results.)

I took two of my cats to a low cost neuter clinic, as well, and things were fine. And it does help with costs, except I get what your are saying, about them being very busy.

They are right, though, that it is normal to expect some down-time, and a lot of sleeping after having vaccines.

But in my experience, it was never more than a day or so. And because your guy was neutered, as well, then I can understand it being an extra day.

Good to hear he is eating and drinking, and using the litterbox.

Boy, that is tough. Since it's probably from the procedure and vaccines, but then again, I don't know what they could give him to feel better.

I think, you should go with your gut feeling, and call up your usual vet,

write down your questions,

give them all the details,

tell them you have limited funds,

but are worried about your Greg McMurphy.

At least then, you will have someone who is a vet, and professional, to actually give you a professional opinion of what to do.

(I'm probably just worrying you, and so talking to your vet would be way better..thing.)

Oh, does this low-cost clinic have any 'walk in hours' that you can just bring Greg to?

Like if you showed, up, but had to wait long, at least he could be seen, temps taken, looked at?

It's so reassuring to know that there are others out there who get it, and don't think I am being a neurotic nut job. You also speak from experience, which is also very helpful! You're not worrying me, you're actually helping put me more at ease. Thank you for all the advice and support!

squirrelymonki said:

 
It's so reassuring to know that there are others out there who get it, and don't think I am being a neurotic nut job. You also speak from experience, which is also very helpful! You're not worrying me, you're actually helping put me more at ease. Thank you for all the advice and support!

Click to expand...

@squirrelymonki....thank you for your purraise. It's actually you who are 'awesome'...because you're trying to get the best care for your cat , Greg McMurphy...or did I spell it wrong...McMuprhy.

(slight tears are coming to my eyes, but they are happy tears, knowing about more people like you...who take care of FIV+ cats, and don't shy away from all that goes with it.)

No way are you any where close to being a 'neurotic nut job'.  

There is no such thing, when our cat's health, and care, are concerned.

That is the only way we can be, good cat guardians. Only we can talk for them.

I just wish I had more concrete things to offer you, and better advice and steps to take.

But support, I can always do.

So sending you total vibes of support, fast return to health, and his usual cat self for Greg, and that you also don't overly worry. 

And get all the good answers, tomorrow.

Take care, cat person. And give Greg a 'scritch' on the head, for me.

Sorry this response took so long. I got sick myself, and the Greg seemed to be getting better after I spoke with the vet, but took a recent turn for the "worst" Really, it's a tummy issue going on with him now. Last night I was up with him until day break with his crying while using the litter box etc.

I did call the vet, and they want a stool sample to be brought in, since we think it's a possible intestinal, parasite etc etc issue. He's eating and drinking faster than I can get it to him, but it quickly evacuates his system. 

Sorry, I am venting out a whole other set of kitty problems! 

He got a good scritch on the head, and he's being uber pampered and babied right now. I just hope it's nothing serious. I worry about the guy, especially since he's my first FIV cat.

Thank you for all the kind words and support - that brought tears to MY eyes

I was actually thinking about Greg, the other day, and wanted to ask you for an update, but then I was hoping that he was better.

I was trying to figure out that if he got neutered on the the 5th, and had his shots, that perhaps it would take a whole week or two to feel back to normal, considering vaccines, clearing out anesthesia, and how FiV might take him a bit longer to get back to himself.

Poor Greg. I hope his stomach troubles are treatable with something.

He sounds like he would have some type of inflammation, anal gland issues, or bladder problems, if he was crying  while using the litter box.

But intestinal parasites would make him feel awful, too. So good that you'll be bringing in a stool sample.

You did say that he does urinate, so that is good, so he is not blocked.

And diarrhea is painful, so hopefully, the vet will find something in his stool sample that is treatable with meds.

Still good that he is eating.

I hope both Greg and you, get to feeling better. It's so hard when our cats are ill. And all we want is for them to get well, fast.