LSH coming: what to do with pets?

My LSH is sched. for 12/9. I have 3 cats, one is a diabetic & needs insulin shots. Another needs pills twice a day. And the third is a Siamese who gets wired and runs around like a wild banshee. I do have family coming to stay with me for 5 days after my surgery who can take care of my cats for me. But I'm wondering if I should board them at the vets for a couple days? (mostly the Siamese, I'm afraid she might jump on my stomach and hurt me...) On the other hand, my Siamese is great at snuggling and purring (kitty therapy) wch. is very healing for me. Part of me wants to keep them with me for kitty therapy! The other part of me says take them to the vet. But how can I take them to the vet if I have to do that nasty bowel prep 2 days before surgery? My family won't be here to take care of them then, though my boyfriend might do it... Anybody out there deal with similar issues? What do you do to keep cats from jumping on your tummy? I might get a squirt gun and squirt her with water, that would work...

I have 2 yorkies. I kept a pillow over my belly at all times!

I would say keep them at home, you will enjoy the snuggle time. It was weird, my dogs could sense I wasnt feeling well but one of them, he just wanted to be right up against me and cuddle the whole time.

Bummer on having to do a bowel prep. I had LSH and did not have to do one...whew!

I have cats (a zoo of them). My daughter spent the first three nights with me and fed them and scooped the litter boxes. My mother came over (she lives a mile away for the next week to scoop and remove the zip locks of waste.

You have a challenge with kitties who need meds. I would check with your vet and those who will be staying with you. Purr-haps they would be able to give the meds for the first 5 days...after that...you should be fine giving meds.

I, too, worried about a cat jumping on me. None did, whew!!!!

Although all pets are different, I found my 3 feisty felines seemed to "know" that I wasn't feeling well and they acted different upon my return home from surgery. For the first week or so one them always seemed to be in the room (like they were taking turns being on watch) and I also would always have an escort when I got up to go to the bathroom! LOL It was a riot. They all seemed to be concerned for my welfare and kept "checking" on me. None of them jumped on me (thank goodness!) but I kept a extra pillow around just in case. Kitty therapy is wonderful, so if you can have them around I'd highly recommend doing so! If you are concerned about any of them being particularly wild, a squirt gun/sprayer is a good kitty control tool.

I'd talk with your family/boyfriend about your kitty care concerns....perhaps they will be OK with doing the meds, etc. (I'd suggest that they get some practice in before the surgery). My DH is still dealing with the litterboxes, since I'm trying to avoid too much bending. If you still think you may need extra kitty-care, check with your vet if there are any visiting cat sitter services they might recommend - someone who is familiar with giving meds, etc. (make sure they're bonded/insured). That may be a more comfortable option for you and cats alike rather than have them being boarded at the vet.

Good Luck!

I have cats too and worried about surprise visits when I was newly post-op. Pillows were my best friend. I used a lot of them all around my tender tummy. That way I could enjoy my kitties; their little "kisses" and purring snuggles were nice. I would worry about the ones who need special meds. I'd make sure that someone else was able to help with that or use the vet like you suggest.

Best wishes.

I cannot imagine trying to recover without my pets at home with me. I personally would not take them to the vet. Your help can give the medication for a few days, then you or your Boyfriend or you could do it. I know what you mean about the Siamese! I have a snowshoe Siamese and he runs around like his butt is on fire! Up and over everything and anything. It's very funny to see. Then he relaxes and purrs so loud we have to turn the TV up. I won't be able to heal if I don't have my pets around me! The 3-4 days in the hospital are going to kill me. I told my DH he will have to sneek the dog and the cat in to see me. He thought he might be able to sneek the cat but the blonde husky would be tricky to get past the Nurses. She is a therapy dog anyway so I told him to just bring her in! I used the squirt gun trick for training my cat too. BUT, if you squirt him to stay off your belly, he will stay off your belly forever. I suggest having a pillow on your belly all the time instead. Good luck

I have 4 cats. I kept them at home. My one cat had to have some minor surgery 2 days before I had surgery. He had to have meds after, so the vet kept him for me until I came home from the hospital. My room mate took care of the other ones for me while I was in the hospital and did the kitty boxes and such after I returned home. I couldn't imagine recovering without them around me. They were really good and would lay in bed with me. I also kept a pillow around my tummy at all times.

Good luck with your surgery.

Tatermist03

I'm having my surgery on the 18th and am also wondering how to protect my belly in the event my kitty steps/jumps on my incision site. He is a sweetie and he liked to sleep curled up between my legs with his head resting on my belly. Only rarely does he actually stand up on my belly but it could happen. I think I'll use a pillow as well.

My kitty will be at a boarding kennel while I am actually in the hospital as I live alone and feel he will be safest (and most attended to) there during my absence. But I sure look forward to his return home when I come home.

I have a chihuahua who is a serious mommas girl and is constantly on my stomach if I am sitting....so I am real worried about that...I have told my hubby that he will need to keep her in the kitchen but he said that will break her heart...My hubby works 3rd shift so maybe during the day she can sleep with him in the bed and not bother me...and then at night, I can put her in her bed and maybe she wont be too mad at me...I think I will keep a pillow near by to cover my belly if she jumps on me...gosh I know that will hurt.
~pat~

	Quote:
Originally Posted by chihuahuachic but he said that will break her heart

I can relate to that. I feel it will break my kitty's heart it I ban him from the room while I'm sleeping. But we sure don't want them jumping on our incisions ... ouch!!!