Conference misery::feline_v1

    Our experience was somewhat like yours when we put Lucy in a few
    months ago.  We were amazed that the incision appeared to have been
    done with an arthroscopic instrument.  The scar was less than �
    inch long - almost like a punch hole.  She was groggy, of course,
    so we left her alone in a nice warm carrier.  When the anesthesia
    wore off, she was back to normal in every observable way. She played
    with the others, ate, drank, etc. as if nothing ever happened. 
    Hope yours goes as well.
    
    Gary

    
     I think what you need to do when she returns is make a comfy place
    for her in an out-of-the-way place ( in my house, the sewing room
    - upstairs, on a pile of old bulky sweaters ) *leave her alone*
    for a time - oh of course check in on her but I doubt there'll be
    much purring - just long sleep! she needs to be alone and away from
    other cats for at least a whole day.  Mine was sleeping for a whole
    day and I was worried (naturally) and late that night I looked up
    and to my surprise, there she was! downstairs, with a very hungry
    look, as if to say "Im ready to join the world again, lets start
    with salmon supreme". Check the scar & stitches gently, try to
    discourage chewing. In the days to follow, a little more attention
    is required.  
    
        I'll be following my own advise in the next few weeks! my Pippontat
    is a young lady now and I *hate* like hell to do this but....
    
    another thing about keeping her by herself; you mentioned her smell.
    that is true and could cause uneasiness between the other cats.
    A day allows time for a cgood cleaning.
    
    Lots of luck - I hope for a speedy recovery
    Nancy

    RE: .1
    
    ...same with aja. Brought her home the next day and she was immediately
    her bitchy old self.
    
    The only hitch was that my schedule got tied up and I couldn't get
    her to the vet's to have the stitches pulled. I ended up getting
    up at 3:00 AM one morning and doing them myself while she was still
    sleepy. But, no problem...
    
    Edd

    Hi MM, you know those gray hairs that I have to hide?  Those
    are from worry!  It's my best thing.  The best thing you can
    do for her when she comes home is nothing.  
    
    I put in a long descriptive note (somewhere - you know me and
    my feeble brain about finding old notes !!) about what to do
    when they come home.
    
    A basic recap - if they don't stay overnight, keep them in their
    carrier for 2 or 3 hours and let them sleep until they can walk
    well - only let them have a little water - most don't want to
    eat - about 10 or 11 pm let them out - if they can walk and
    not wabble go to bed and don't worry!!  In the morning they
    will be almost back to normal - the next day you won't know
    they were ever at the vet's.  I keep the carrier in the living
    room so they know I'm around - but try to keep the noise down
    to a dull roar!!  The other kids will sniff - my guys are no
    problem about others coming back from a vet visit - guess I'm
    lucky! Give me a buzz or send me mail if need more!!
    
    Good Luck and let us know how it goes, OK??
    
    E.T._14_down_one_to_go!!

    My cats were both spayed about ten years ago, and both have scars about
    an inch and half long from it (as well as lose skin hanging from the
    rear of their tummies - I think that the operation in those days
    typically involved severing a tendon there, or something).  Both styaed
    overnight, and were basically OK by the day after they came home. 
    Nebula hates going to vet so much that I took her stiches out myself (I
    think there were five stictches) rather than taking her back for that
    (she *hates* cars!).

    Niniane came through with flying colors, and is now sleeping on
    her "most favoritest shirt of Mom's" which went to the vet with
    her this morning.
    
    Can't wait to pick her up tomorrow!  Thanks for all your advice!
    
    Mary-Michael