Cat acting weird after anesthesia

[wvjules]

On Tuesay I took my cat, Oliver, to the vet for his annual exam and grooming. Oliver is the devil cat when at the vet so they have to put him to sleep. They used to do in office sedation but we opted for complete anesthesia this time since he can be monitored better and because he seems to need more sedation each time.

Anyway, I picked him up on Tuesday and ever since then he has completely changed behavior. He is very fidigity and can't seem to stay in place for very long. He is usually a lovable cat but now he just can't seem to get close enough to us. He has literally slept on my head the past two nights and when he is sitting on one of us he gets as close and snuggled up as he possibly can (face in crook of neck or in armpit, etc.) But that only lasts for a little while before he has to move again. He's also eating a lot more. And hates to be picked up. Our other cat, Sheldon, won't go near him. His anxiety is making Sheldon anxious too.

Prior to this, you could do anything to this cat. He is so laid back and content. Now he seems to be high strung and clingy.

I have read that behavior changes after anesthesia can last for a few days but does anyone here have personal experience with it?

Yes, I have a call in to the vet but he doesn't come in until 3 today.

 

[Gigi22]

Your cat is likely still experiencing side effects from the anesthesia. Talk to your vet. Sorry I can't suggest anything other than reassuring both your cats. Favorite toys, treats, cuddles.

 

[zoemurr]

On Tuesay I took my cat, Oliver, to the vet for his annual exam and grooming. Oliver is the devil cat when at the vet so they have to put him to sleep. They used to do in office sedation but we opted for complete anesthesia this time since he can be monitored better and because he seems to need more sedation each time.

Anyway, I picked him up on Tuesday and ever since then he has completely changed behavior. He is very fidigity and can't seem to stay in place for very long. He is usually a lovable cat but now he just can't seem to get close enough to us. He has literally slept on my head the past two nights and when he is sitting on one of us he gets as close and snuggled up as he possibly can (face in crook of neck or in armpit, etc.) But that only lasts for a little while before he has to move again. He's also eating a lot more. And hates to be picked up. Our other cat, Sheldon, won't go near him. His anxiety is making Sheldon anxious too.

Prior to this, you could do anything to this cat. He is so laid back and content. Now he seems to be high strung and clingy.

I have read that behavior changes after anesthesia can last for a few days but does anyone here have personal experience with it?

Yes, I have a call in to the vet but he doesn't come in until 3 today.

Sorry, I can't help.. hope kitty is better soon. I'm interested in the behavior at the vet 'cause my cat is the same way. Super sweet, can pick up and handle no problems. The vet is a nightmare. She bit a huge hole in his hand last time. She's all over the place and MAD. Totally changes her personality. My last cat was super mean at home. You walked near her and she hissed. But at the vet she collapsed on the table like she knew if she sat there for two minutes it would be over. Is this common? Of course I got this cat when she was older, so I don't know what kind of past experience she had at the vet. She also gets so nervous in the carrier that she usually goes potty in it.

 

[lakelandgal70]

Yes I had this experience with my older cocker. She went in for surgery and it took her couple days to come out of it. Just like each person will react differently to it animals are the same way. Hope your kitty is feeling better

 

[HM]

I'm sorry that's happening.

I am curious though, what kind of cat gets an annual grooming. Our cats only went to the vet for shots and injuries (and they hated the car drive).

 

[wvjules]

Sorry, I can't help.. hope kitty is better soon. I'm interested in the behavior at the vet 'cause my cat is the same way. Super sweet, can pick up and handle no problems. The vet is a nightmare. She bit a huge hole in his hand last time. She's all over the place and MAD. Totally changes her personality. My last cat was super mean at home. You walked near her and she hissed. But at the vet she collapsed on the table like she knew if she sat there for two minutes it would be over. Is this common? Of course I got this cat when she was older, so I don't know what kind of past experience she had at the vet. She also gets so nervous in the carrier that she usually goes potty in it.

He is the most loving, affectionate, docile cat ever! You can do anything to him and he just rolls with it...at home. At the vet; however, he is vicious! He tries to scratch, bit, hisses like nothing I've ever heard before. It is awful! Imagine this but slighlty worse! I am actually afraid of him at the vet.

I changed him from a regular vet to a cat only vet and that didn't help. So we used to do in-office sedation. They used kevlar gloves (and occasionally the net grabber thing) to hold him to give him the initial shot and then when he was more settled they gave him another sedative so they could examine him. When they are done they give a reversing agent. However, we switched to full anesthesia for this visit. The vet feels better with the general anesthesia so he can monitor him closer and also give him oxygen.

This time he is being so weird. I'm thinking of only taking him to the vet every 3 years when rabies is due now. It is just so hard on him, me, and the vet (lol).

Thanks lakelandgal. I read that it was the anesthesia possibly but wanted some 'real' people experiences.

 

[wvjules]

I'm sorry that's happening.

I am curious though, what kind of cat gets an annual grooming. Our cats only went to the vet for shots and injuries (and they hated the car drive).

It's his annual exam. But since he's sedated I also get nails trimmed and sanitary groom (butt area so poo doesn't stick to him).

 

[shortbun]

The last time my cat had anesthesia, she literally ran for hours when we brought her home. I'm talking manic running. I tried to hold her and massage her so she could relax but it didn't help. The effect did wear off but it didn't take two days. I'd be very concerned. When you can tell a cat isn't well, they're really sick.

 

[wvjules]

The vet said that the visit was probably more traumatic than previous visits so that can explain his behavior. He said he should be better soon. I'm home now and e does seem a lot less clingy than before. Vet also said to play with him when he seems fidigity. That will also help. Oh and give him catnip. We did that a bit ago so that may explain why he is a little more normal now. We are going out of town so dd will keep a close watch on him while we are gone. (Vet said we don't need to change our plans.).

 

[Imzadi]

I've read the effects can take a couple days to wear off and they can be quite weird. When I was picking out my kitty at the pound, they had just been spayed that morning. One of her litter mates was actually walking around the cage backwards and didn't seem to know it. I assume that wore off at some point.

 

[si-am]

I have a cat like that. Just a total teddy bear at home but mean as anything at the vet. Our vet actually asked us NOT to bring him back unless he is really sick, not even for shots (he's strictly indoor).

He was put under general anesthesia a few years ago for a dental/tooth extraction and it did take him a few days to get back to his usual self. He was kind of loopy for a while.

 

[skater]

I've fostered a steady stream of kittens and cats for two years. We had one cat who was really messed up after she got spayed. She wouldn't eat for 3 days and was just "not right." A few months later, she needed hernia surgery. I mentioned to the vet her past problem with anesthesia, and he decided to use a different type. This time, her experience was similar to what you've described. So, maybe it can sometimes be the type used .