Post-anesthesia/sedation question re: Cat

[wvjules]

My cat was sedated yesterday for his exam and grooming. Picked him up yesterday evening and he was still a little loopy, which I was expecting. However, he has this raspy breathing that sounds like fluid in his lungs or mucous. I called the vet and she said it can happen and he should be fine and that I should call if he has difficulty breathing.

This morning his raspyness is a little better however he has yet to drink anything. That concerns me. We locked him in our bedroom with us overnight with a litterbox and water bowl and not once did he get up to pee or drink. I took him in the bathroom with me this morning and he went in the litter box but still no drinking At what point should I be concerned that he isn't drinking?

 

[Aprille]

Poor kitty! I read your post yesterday morning. He's had a traumatic couple of days!

I'd be calling the vet back this morning. I hope he's back to his old self soon!

 

[Doctor P]

I don't want to alarm you, but I would absolutely stay on top of this. Our last cat died after sedation--they punctured his windpipe when they put in the breathing tube. He lived a few weeks, but then died of a heart attack that we feel was partially due to the trauma and reduced oxygen from the ordeal. He had lost his voice, etc. So, please do stay on top of this and err on the side of caution.

 

[mickeyboat]

We also lost a cat shortly after sedation. Definitely call the vet. Hope your little kitty is feeling better soon.

 

[wvjules]

DoctorP, I thought the coughing/wheezing was due to a breathing tube as well but when I called them yesterday the vet said that he was not intubated, only sedated with gas.

If he is not better by lunch I'm going to give them another call and take him to be seen.

 

[Doctor P]

DoctorP, I thought the coughing/wheezing was due to a breathing tube as well but when I called them yesterday the vet said that he was not intubated, only sedated with gas.

If he is not better by lunch I'm going to give them another call and take him to be seen.

Well, in theory that should remove one possible complication. Glad to hear that.

 

[SydneyFalco]

My cat was sedated yesterday for his exam and grooming. Picked him up yesterday evening and he was still a little loopy, which I was expecting. However, he has this raspy breathing that sounds like fluid in his lungs or mucous. I called the vet and she said it can happen and he should be fine and that I should call if he has difficulty breathing.

This morning his raspyness is a little better however he has yet to drink anything. That concerns me. We locked him in our bedroom with us overnight with a litterbox and water bowl and not once did he get up to pee or drink. I took him in the bathroom with me this morning and he went in the litter box but still no drinking At what point should I be concerned that he isn't drinking?

Okay, I JUST WENT THROUGH THIS. Albeit, with a poodle.

She was put under last Friday for teeth cleaning. She stayed groggy for two days, didn't drink and kept scratching at her throat (to the point of scabbing). I panicked. The wife pooh poohed me. The wife was right. Now the poodle is fine.

BUT ... I ain't no cat expert, or even a poodle expert, for that matter.

 

[Aprille]

How's the kitty?

 

[wvjules]

I talked to the vet's office again. They pulled the chart and this time told me that he was intubated. That explains the coughing/wheezing (It is getting better.) He still hasn't had a drink yet though. I suggested getting some wet catfood to give to him and she said that was a good idea. I am only supposed to give him a little so he doesn't get sick.

From her reading the chart it sounds like they used the gas for the examination and then had to anesthestize him for the grooming part. So he ended up with 2 different types of anesthetics. She said that if he isn't normal by tomorrow that I need to bring him in.

Hopefully though we won't have to do that.

I have decided to not take him for an annual exam again unless he is ill. I think this experience is too traumatizing for him. The other cat will get her regular exams and if anything is amiss with her then we will take him to be seen. (I will have to take him every 3 years to get his rabies shot but no more than that.)

 

[Imzadi]

I don't want to alarm you, but I really think you should call up another vet right away for a second opinion. They already misinformed you earlier on what they had done. You lose the cat, what are they going to say, "Oops!"

A cat shouldn't be going that long without liquids. He could be very dehydrated. The fact that you are telling the vet what you are going to do, sounds off.

Many years ago, my ex-college roomate was urged to have to have some of her cat's teeth extracted and the rest cleaned. Her cat was a 19 year old cat. My ex roommate, herself, was too young at the time, to oppose the vet, even though she really didn't want to do it. The very next day after it was done and my ex-roommate brought the cat home, the cat died. The stress, trauma and especially being put under the anesthesia (at that age) killed the cat. It should never have been done on a cat that age.

My ex-roomate blamed herself, because she knew she didn't want to have it done. The cat wasn't originally brought in for that problem. The cat had something else, very minor. The cat never exhibited any signs or pain or problems regarding her teeth. She might have had another year or 2 with my ex-roommate.

I blame the Vet. He had no problem keeping the $500 he made off of the operation.

I am extremely careful now who I take my cat to. They won't even give my cat any extra/unnecessary vaccinations unless I have to board her.

I dont see why your vet had to use two types of sedation just to groom your cat. I'd get a second opinion right away. Look what happened when Michael Jackson was sedated by someone who didn't know what he was doing.

 

[Aprille]

How is Oliver this morning?

 

[wvjules]

Oliver is almost himself again. Last night I gave him some wet food and he ate it right up. Then he drank some water! This morning he was getting into a plant so I think all is well. We are going to give him wet food today and tomorrow in case his throat is still sore then back to icky hard food. lol

Now I have another problem. Abigail! She won't go near him now. When he first came home she followed him but he wanted nothing to do with her. Last night and this morning, when he tries to go see her, she hisses at him. Its like I brought a new cat in the house.

I think he may smell like the other animals from the vet plus he looks way different. I feel sorry for both of them now. Poor Abigail doesn't have a buddy and Oliver looks funny.

 

[wvjules]

I dont see why your vet had to use two types of sedation just to groom your cat. I'd get a second opinion right away. Look what happened when Michael Jackson was sedated by someone who didn't know what he was doing.

From what I understand he was able to be examined using only the gas then when they went to groom him he had to have extra sedation. If you would have seen satan, I mean Oliver, you would know it was necessary. (I still have the bite marks to prove it.) Of course I could have also understood the receptionist wrong on him being given two anesthetics.

Next time he needs groomed I'm just going to ask for a valium and take him to the groomers. Hopefully that will be way less traumatic.

 

[Aprille]

I'm so happy to hear Oliver is feeling better! I'm sure he and Abigail will be fast friends again soon.

 

[Imzadi]

Whew! I'm glad Oliver is better today.

Yes, I understand about the Satan part. Kitty & I got visit my DSis for several days. She hates her carrier, even though I crate train her at home, and she will actually sleep in it with the top off. But, somehow she knows when we are leaving. She hides in the closet. When it's time to get her, there are these noises that come from in there that you's swear, could not have come from any earthly creature.

 

[lisajl]

FYI- sometimes it takes a little longer for some pets to come out of the anesthetic than others. Did they do any bloodwork before they put your kitty under? Glad to hear he is doing better.