Conference misery::feline_v1

    Spaying is a lot harder on a cat than neutering.  Cali went thru
    major abdominal surgery, which would wipe out anybody.  If Sam is
    going to be unattended at the vet's overnight, I would be inclined
    to bring him home.  You will have to keep him from trying to jump,
    etc., if he is still wobbly from anesthesia.  The vet may want to
    see him to check him the next morning.
    

    
    	The vet I used to work for always kept spays overnight, but
    	sent castrations home the same day. Usually they aren't `under'
    	even close to as long as a spay is, so they don't take as long
    	to come around afterwards. I think part of the reason they kept
    	spays overnight was to make sure they came out of the anesthetic
    	okay. If I were you, I would take him home the same day. 
    

    We brouht Oscar home the same day he lost his manhood.  When I picked
    him up at the vets that afternoon, he was sitting in the vets lap,
    playing.  he was pretty nervous in the car on the way home, but
    as soon as he got home, he was acting like his normal self except
    for having a slight difficulty sitting down!)  I had directions
    from the vet as to symptons to watch for, etc. and we had no problems.
    
    From the sounds of it, it seems that it would be easier for both
    you and Sam to have him home that night.  Talk to you vet and make
    sure the vet doesn't feel that it would be medically dangerous.
    
    Good luck.
    
    	-Nancy

    The anesthesia used for neutering is usually a fast acting one that
    wears off very quickly... My vet often lets neuters (but not
    spays) go home the same day, assuming everything goes as expected...
    You might ask your vet if he would be willing to put the surgery
    down as first for the day, so your kitty would be ready to go home
    the same day....
    Good luck!
    Linda

    I called my vet again and he said that that he always likes to keep
    them over for one night to make sure they don't fall down from being
    a bit dizzy.  Sam should wake up quickly but the vet feels it still
    takes a while to get back to normal.  He said I can take him home
    the same day but I will have to sign a waiver stating that the hospital
    has no responsibility if the animal gets hurt from a fall.
    
    I think that I will take Sam home on the same day anyhow.  I'll
    just keep a good eye on him during the day and put him in his crate
    to sleep at night.  I think we'll both be more comfortable that
    way.  Thanks for all your suggestions!
    
    Jeanne, Cali and Sam
    

    I think you're right.  This is exactly the state my Sweetie is in
    after he has his teeth cleaned.  How wobbly he is varies a lot.
     Do keep a good eye on Sam, though.  He is almost certainly try
    to leap onto counters, etc. even if he is very groggy.
    

    re:3 Boy, I wish someone would tell all my boysl that they lost
    their manhood after they were neutered!  They haven't figured
    it out yet - someone asked me last week when they were at my
    house if it was breeding season at the ZhivagoCat Farm???
    These crazy boys try and breed each other and ignore the girls!

    re: 5 - I take them home the same day - in by 9 out by 5.
    I keep them right in the crate i bring them home from the
    vet in making sure that there is a nice soft blanket in
    there. If I get home around 6 or so from the vet, they
    usually sleep - I keep the crate in a quiet corner and
    when they wake up, I open the crate door - if they can
    walk out on their own, I let them out and let them walk
    around for a bit (this usually happens at about 8 or 8:30 pm.
    They wander over to their water dish, take one lap, then i
    put them right back in their crate and close the door again
    and they go back to sleep - when wake again, I let them out.
    This usually around 10:30 or so - then I let them out for the
    night.  They are usually ready to go down to their pool by then.
    I make sure they can walk and do the stairs - usually I carry 
    them down and back up - settle them on the couch for the night.
    By the time I go to bed, they are just about their old selves.
    By morning, it's like almost nothing happened!
    
    It also depends upon what time their surgery get done at the Vet's
    office - if they are done first thing, it helps!
    
    E.T.

    Here's another thing:
    
    If you do have him stay overnight at the vet's, ask if the 
    "recovery room" is for both dogs and cats.  It's *much* easier 
    on the cat to come to alone or with other cats around.  Many indoor
    cats have never seen a dog;  imagine how they  must feel when they
    wake up and see a scary new animal!  Also, see if your vet will
    let you put some kind of shelter within the cage your kitty will
    be in;  even a paper bag so he can snug up in something and not
    feel exposed to everything.  Cats need to hide when they don't feel
    well or are frightened.  Not having a place to hide in when they
    need it (like in a new  environment) can be especially stressful.
    
    Best of luck, and please keep us posted.
    
    Jane
    

    re:5 also - I forgot!
    
    If you can handle keeping a close eye on them when they
    come home the same day, and have "MANY" other kids around
    the house, it helps to use the overnight stay at the Vet's
    for the night before surgery.  I do that so I don't have
    to withold food from one or all of them.  Actually, they
    can eat until 6 or 8 pm, so it isn't tooo difficult if
    I can stand the hungry looks from all the fatties.
    I used to have the neuter/spay baby stay over the night
    before, but with Malinka, I starved everyone for the
    "whole night."   It worked & saved an overnight fee.
    I guess use which ever way you are more comfortable with or
    fits with your time schedule.
    
    E.T.

    RE: .10
    
    Elaine,  I should be all set, I've only one other kitty in the house
    and she won't suffer much by going one night without eating.  She
    to is a bit on the fat side!  I plan to have Sam operated on on
    a Friday so that I can pick him up in the afternoon and be with
    him for a full two days over the weekend.
    
    Sure hope Cali doesn't hiss and spit at Sam when he comes home!
    She did that the last time Sam went to the vets (and that was only
    for an hour to get a shot!).  
    
    Thanks
    
    Jeanne, Cali and Sam
    

    Jeanne, that's how I felt (with mucho guilt) about letting them
    go hungry all night!  Some of mine are night feeders and sleep
    most of the day.  I, too, usually bring them in on Friday 
    mornings and take them home that evening so I can be home with
    them for two consecutive days.  I drive my vet crazy - I put
    them into the cage in back myself and make sure I leave one
    of my towels in there with them so it smells like home - when
    I pick them up later, I go in back and take them out myself -
    it's so lonesome with just one gone all night!  I really hate
    leaving them ANYWHERE overnight.  I can hardly wait to get them
    home!  I call and check in with the vet at least 2 or 3 times
    during the day - actually, I'm better now - I only call once or
    twice.  Guess they are used to it.
    
    It gives me worms to think that Miss Vicki is next!  At least I
    have 3 months before it's time.
    
    Sounds like you both will be fine - hope I forget which Friday,
    cause I"ll probably worry !
    
    E.T.

    Well, all the arrangements to have Sam neutered have been made for
    this Friday.  I am feeling better about it and I am sure everything
    will turn out fine.  Now my problem is my husband who keeps asking
    "does Sam REALLY need to have this done?"  Funny, I don't remember
    him being so concerned when Cali was spayed!  
    
    Actually, his comments aren't associated with any male egotism.
    John couldn't wait to have our dog Smokey neutered because he really
    needed it (he was very dominating) but Sam is soooo mellow as it
    is that John is worried that neutering might make him too layed
    back.  Is this possible?  Could this make Sam overly shy or afraid?
    He isn't exactly brave now and I would hate to see any of his
    confidence  diminished!
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jeanne (the worry wort!), Cali and Sam
    

    Jeanne, Sam will be Sam no matter what!  
    
    E.T.

    RE: .13
    
    >"does Sam REALLY need to have this done?"
    
    If you put it off, Sam *WILL* start spraying, and I think that the answer
    to that question will become quite apparent to your husband.
    
    Deb 

    Well, Sam is home and doing great after being neutered on Friday.
    I did take him home Friday evening and boy was he spaced out. He
    was so happy to be home, he curled up in his little fur bed and
    was out for the night. By saturday morning he was walking and jumping
    up on the counters like nothing had happened.  I'm sure glad this
    is behind us now!  Thanks for all your support!!!!
    
    Jeanne, Cali and Sam