Need help fast! Can I leave a just-spayed cat alone?

[turkeykitty]

Hello, everyone. I plan to have my cat spayed, but I want to have the surgery done just three days before I will be gone for two weeks. Also, I plan to have the cat live alone in my apartment with someone checking in on her every three days to keep up the food and water and replace the kitty litter. The place is well-ventilated and the cat is used to being alone for 10 hours at a time. What do you think about all of this? Thanks a million.

[Tina B and crew]

I replied to this on your other thread...but again, I don't think it is a good idea to leave her alone like that after the surgery. See my other reply to you

[davet]

i agree with tina B--i once spayed a cat and the people left it alone for a few days and they came home and found it dead with all guts hanging out...it had implaled itself upon a banister..i admit this is unusual but i would post pone the surgery or leave the cat with the vet...

[Guest]

I would not do this. The incision could need attention and not be noticed in time (due to the "sitter" only coming every 3 days).

[Traci]

Absolutely not....spays require monitorization for at least 5 days post-op. Your biggest concerns would be infection at the incision site, fever, opening of the wound, blood or pus drainage, kitty pulling out the sutures and therefore introduce infection. Infection also accompanies lethargy and anorexia, if you leave her alone, you are putting her at great risk.

I also warn about the every-three-day checkin of your kitty while you're gone. I think this is stretching it. Your kitty would appreciate a once or twice daily checkin. You can never predict what could happen when you are gone....she could get into something...she could spill her water dish and therefore be without....she could develop a sudden illness.....she could hurt herself....the possibilities are endless.

Hire a reputable pet-sitter, your vet can probably recommend one who is trustworthy and highly regarded. Leave specific instructions with the sitter, such as where you can be reached, your vet's clinic number and backup emergency clinic number, feeding instructions, etc etc.

Two weeks is a long time to be gone, at least from your kitty's perspective, you really do need to have someone check on her daily.

[Mona]

I agree with all. Never leave a spay/neutered or other sugery animal alone esp that quickly. The possibilities are endless.

My Honeybun was spayed and developed ozing and a lump, so of course, I rushed her to the vet where she was placed on antibiotics.

A cat sitter should definitely come in at least once per day or more also. I recently left Honeybun for 3 days and had a very good friend come in. She came in the AM, and PM for two of the days.

[Turkeycat]

Thanks to all for your advice. Sorry for my belated thanks, as I have been without Internet access for a while. I ended up leaving the cat with the vet and paying for it, because of conjunctivitis the cat picked up just before I left, and I decided to postpone the spaying until I was totally back from vacation. I now think of daily and knowledge checking up as a must-do. Thanks again.