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
×