Desexing

We perform routine desexings of male and female kittens, usually recommended between the age of 3 to 6 months.  At Perth Cat Hospital we take some extra precautions and steps to make the anaesthesia and surgery safer and more comfortable for our feline patients.

• Lower stress: Lower stress makes the hospital stay more comfortable and contributes to a reduced anaesthetic risk and better wound healing. Our hospital has ISFM Gold Level Cat friendly accreditation which is the highest level achievable. We use low stress handling techniques, minimise background noise and provide snugly, quiet bedding and cages.
• Intravenous catheter: An intravenous catheter is placed prior to the anaesthetic to allow any medications or fluids to be given intravenously as required.
• Premedication and anaesthetics: All cats are pre-medicated with a pain relief and sedative. The anaesthetics are tailored according to age and if any pre-existing condition is present.
• Pre-oxygenation: All cats are pre-oxygenated for several minutes prior to the anaesthetic to help to maintain good oxygenation and this is continued throughout the surgical procedure.
• Gas anaesthesia: An intravenous induction agent is given and the anaesthetic is maintained with isofluorane gas and oxygen. Gas anaesthesia can be safely adjusted according to anaesthetic depth.
• V-Gel device. We use V-Gel devices to maintain the airway which have the added benefit of being more comfortable for a cat’s throat and completely sterile for each patient.
• Heated Table & Bair Hugger: It is of utmost importance to keep cats warm during anaesthesia. Due to their small body size, they are particularly prone to hypothermia. We use warmed disinfectants for skin preparation, heated surgery tables, and each patient is warmed by a Bair hugger (forced warm air blanket) during the procedure and recovery. Cats love being warm, in fact their preferred surrounding temperature is 30-38 degrees, so they love to wake up and rest on a warm surface.
• Advanced monitoring equipment: Each patient is constantly monitored by a Surgivet monitor. This comprehensive monitor measures blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation (pulse oximetry) and carbon dioxide levels (capnography) and ECG.
• Sterile surgery theatre: All surgeries are done in a dedicated sterile surgery suite. This is important to maintain a sterile surgical field.
• Dedicated veterinary nurse monitoring: Our qualified nurses closely monitor every cat from induction of the anaesthetic to complete recovery. Importantly, this monitoring continues for several hours post recovery, as this can be the time of highest risk post anaesthetic.
• Pain relief: Adequate pain relief is not only important for patient comfort, but may also be associated with better wound healing. We administer opiate pain relief before and after surgery and once recovered and eating, more pain relief is administered with food. All cats are sent home with pain relief post surgery.
• Feeding once awake: As soon as your cat has recovered from their anaesthetic, they are encouraged to have a small meal. This helps with recovery, as prolonged fasting is not ideal in a surgical patient.