Question:
Were you able to take care of your cats after surgery?
My cat is confined to my bedroom. My room mate thinks that I should keep her caged post-op (surgery is 3/24/03). Does anyone that is post-op have cats and what did you do with it/them after your surgery. Room mate is worried about infections post-op (have had other surgeries in past and had animals with no problems). She's driving me crazy!!! Her sister is pre-op also for this surgery, just starting the procedure. — Sue-Ellen J. (posted on March 16, 2003)
March 16, 2003
Oh sweety... you wont need to worry about your cat. I promise you. MY
fluffy black kitty has slept with me 24/7 and I am 1 wk post op doing well.
You will be bandaged and all insisions are carefully taken care of. You
will heal quickly in most cases.<br>I dont think you would really
want to cage your best friend would you? That kitty will be your comforting
friend and love you through all this. Dont cage her/him... And your kitty
will simply wonder why you are in bed a lot and most likely comfort you
when they realize you are sick. ANOTHER thing... dont be surprizes if you
find out your are walking around just fine after surgery, and your down
time is half and half.
— Cinderz H.
March 16, 2003
I have 2 cats, 1 is only 7 mo. old. I took care of them after surgery just
fine. The only trouble I had was bending down to clean the litter box. I
was just nervous to bend. The first few days I had my daughter clean it. I
washed my hands extremely well like I do normally. No problems here. Just
keep them off your incision. Mine like to walk across my stomach and its
very tender. Good Luck with your surgery.
— donna C.
March 16, 2003
First, as always, ask your doctor.
Second, if your cat is confined to your room, does that mean that her cat
litter is in your room as well? I would move the litter to another room to
reduce tracking in your bed. have someone else change the cat litter for a
week or longer after you come home.
If this is not possible, then wear latex gloves when you clean the litter,
then wash, wash, WASH your hands thoroughly. Use a nail brush to clean dirt
from fingernails.
Other options: board your cat or have her stay with a friend/relative for a
week or two after you've had surgery.
I am pre-op also. My cats have the run of the house, although the litter is
in the basement. I will have someone clean the litter for me for two weeks
after I've had WLS.
Good luck!
— Kasey
March 16, 2003
You cat will be great post op. Mine was my best buddy. She lay right
beside me all the time. She would slap out at and hiss at my mom if she
came near to change a dressing. As far as caring for her the only thing
you might need is someone to change the litter box. Otherwise she/he will
be a true friend and blessing to have with you. Don't let your roomie
freak you out. It will be just fine and GOOD LUCK! AMY
— purdue_1993
March 16, 2003
I don't have a cat (allergic) but I do have 2 dogs. One of which sleeps on
my bed, and the other one sneaks up there sometimes. I'm kinda weird about
germs, so I didn't let them in my room at all, for about 3 weeks. I'm sure
that it would have been FINE, but like I said, I'm a freak about germs. I
wouldn't worry too much, if at all. :) It will probably be comforting for
you!!
— Diana L.
March 16, 2003
We have 2 cats and 2 dogs and they were my best buddies while I was at home
after surgery. I didn't give it a second thought. Like others said, just
wash your hands and avoid handling the cat or litter and then touching your
incision(s) until you are well healed. You should be fine. If your
roommate is driving you crazy about this, ask her to show you some articles
that prove this is something you need to be concerned about.
— koogy
March 16, 2003
Only thing I'd worry about is who will take care of your kitty while you're
in the hospital. Once you get home, you will be fine to feed and clean up
after her ok, but while you're in the hospital, I wouldn't rely on the
roomie to do it. She doesn't sound much like an animal-lover :(
— thumpiez
March 16, 2003
I have 3 cats and I cared for them just fine after surgery. I did get my
son to clean the litter boxes - they were too heavy to lift and squating
was too difficult. There are a couple of things that I did that helped - 1.
I put a large sheet over my bedding to prevent my cat from tracking litter
onto my bed (I have one confined to my room too) and 2. I always sat with a
pillow over my tummy so if one of them stepped on me, it wouldn't hurt my
tummy. Good luck with your surgery! I hope your roommate chills!
— JoAnn B.
March 16, 2003
I had 5 at the time of my surgery (& 3 big dogs). When I got home, I
showed everybody the wound, and they took shifts taking care of me. Cats
sat beside, except the lightweight who sat right on my belly, but oh so
gently. The dogs just stayed nearby. In case. Prolly in case I went to
the kitchen (LOL). I had nor problems of any kind. They seemed to grasp
that I was only at half mast, and that my belly was not a trampoline. I'm a
firm believer that cat-purr helps healing!
— vitalady
March 16, 2003
HI there, Sue-Ellen! I have 4 cats and had no problems with them, caring
for them as well as infections from them. The only thing that was
bothersome, was when they wanted to try and lay on my tummy, especially our
heaviest cat, which is 11 lbs! But I would protect my tummy above
everything else. You should have no problems. Vi. open RNY 9/23/02 down
113 lbs.
— Vi F.
March 16, 2003
Hi Sue-Ellen, I am a pre-op cat lover with 4 cats! In my area
(Massachusetts), they sell disposable litterboxes, with the clean litter
already in them, and you just throw the whole thing out when they're ready
to be changed. I believe they're made my Cat's Pride, but I don't know if
they're available all over the country. I have used them when on vacation
and having relatives care for my cats, so they wouldn't have to mess with
"mess". Also, sometimes when something is written instead of
spoken, it's hard to understand the tone of what's going on. When your
roommate suggested to keep kitty "caged post-op", was this said
only out of concern for your recovery or convenience factors as well? When
I was younger and lived with a roommate, I had major surgery (gall bladder
removal the old-fashioned way). We each had a cat, and the subject of
caging or confining my cat was never brought up. Best of luck with your
surgery!! Lucky you, I am still waiting :o) Mea
— Mea A.
March 16, 2003
maybe the room mate needs to be caged. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs,I has no
problems, just make sure you are not pounced on. When your blue and in pain
they know and are so loving. The only problem you will have is lifiting the
litter, you will have to get someone to do that.
— domestic G.
March 16, 2003
My kitty's were my best friends after surgery! The only problem I had was
that one of them LOVES to sleep on my big belly...and had to take a couple
weeks off of that. Other than that, kitty's are fine.
— thekatinthehat
March 17, 2003
I had 3 small children that I took care of myself during the day. Maybe
caging THEM would have been a good idea!! LOL!! If I can manage my
children, you will easily manage your cat and love the company. Shelley
— Shelley.
March 17, 2003
Kitties are fine. Just don't pick them up so much until your tummy heals
more. Mine slept by my side the entire time to keep an eye on
"mommy"
— Jammie J.
Click Here to Return