HomePrepareSurgery & Dentistry
Anesthesia & Sedation Guide

What to expect when your Cat’s visit involves anesthesia.

Any procedure requiring sedation involves preparation at home, fasting instructions, and a different kind of day than a standard visit. This guide walks you through everything.

Read the Guide
Day-Of Preparation
  • Fasting is patient safety, follow the instructions your care team provides
  • Water is typically fine until the morning of the procedure
  • Carrier with familiar bedding ready before you leave
  • Leave collars and jewelry at home
  • Arrange a quiet recovery space at home beforehand
  • Confirm who will pick up and when
Fasting, Read This First

Fasting is patient safety, not optional.

ISFM guidelines recommend a 4 to 6 hour food fast before anesthesia for most healthy adult Cats, not overnight fasting as was classically recommended. Your care team will provide specific fasting instructions based on your Cat’s age, health status, and procedure. Follow the instructions they provide over any general guidelines.

Why Fasting Matters

Under anesthesia, the protective reflexes that prevent inhalation of stomach contents are suppressed. Vomiting while sedated can cause aspiration pneumonia, a serious and potentially life-threatening complication.

Our Anesthesia Approach

Designed around the feline patient.

Pre-Sedation Standard

Pre-anesthetic sedation is standard at CatsOnly, not reserved for difficult Cats. A calm induction requires less total anesthetic agent and results in better recovery.

Temperature Management

Warm IV fluids, heated tables, and warm recovery spaces. Temperature monitoring is continuous throughout every procedure.

Dedicated Monitoring

Every anesthetized Cat has a dedicated credentialed veterinary technician to monitor them, checking ECG, pulse oximetry, capnography, blood pressure, and temperature continuously.

Pain Management First

Anticipatory, multimodal pain management. We address pain before it begins, including regional nerve blocks for all surgical cases.

The Day Of

Drop-off, updates, and discharge.

1
Morning check-in
Your Cat will be checked in by a Care Team member. We confirm the procedure, verify fasting compliance, and review any changes in health status since booking.
2
Pre-procedure communication
Before your Cat goes under anesthesia, the Care Team reaches out. If bloodwork reveals unexpected findings, we call you before proceeding.
3
Update in recovery
You will receive an update when your Cat is in recovery. We do not leave you without information for hours.
4
Discharge
Discharge happens when your Cat is fully alert, comfortable, and maintaining temperature, not on a fixed schedule. Instructions are reviewed with you in detail before you leave.
After Discharge Questions

Call our Feline Experience Specialists during clinic hours if anything seems off. For after-hours concerns, your call is automatically connected to our licensed RVT triage team.

Home Recovery Setup

  • Prepare a quiet, warm, enclosed space before you leave for pickup
  • Keep away from stairs and high surfaces for 12 to 24 hours
  • Separate from other household pets until fully recovered
  • Monitor for prolonged grogginess, bleeding, vomiting, or straining
  • Keep cone or recovery collar on as instructed, even when you are home
  • Follow the recheck schedule provided

Questions before your visit?

Our Feline Experience Specialists are available to take your calls during clinic hours.

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