Feline How-To Manual: Hospital Admission of Your Cat ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

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Any health care links located here are NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your cat to a vet immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or injury. Call your vet and describe your cat's symptoms with any of your concerns about the cat's well-being. Your veterinarian may discover changes in your cat's health that you have overlooked. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

Hospital Admission of Your Cat

Admissions Process

What can be expected when a cat is brought in for treatment involving anesthesia or surgery? Since the cost may be an important consideration for the owner, the hospital has probably already given an itemized estimate of expenses. This may or may not be routine for the veterinary hospital of your choice; some hospitals only give a written estimate if the pet owner asks for one. Written estimates are exactly that - an estimate. Should your cat experience problems with anesthesia or complications from the surgery, there may be additional charges.

A hospitalization agreement will be signed for all surgeries or any procedure involving anesthesia. This agreement states what procedures will be performed and that the owner is giving his consent to have them done. It is a contract. In an emergency situation, a veterinary hospital may forego the formality of signing an agreement in the interest of saving time and the patient's life. Vets usually don't go to the trouble of having an additional agreement signed every time another procedure or treatment is elected during a long or serious disease. Verbal agreements are made after a discussion with the owner on the best course of action.

After all the paperwork is completed, if there is any question about the hospital payment policy, this is the time to ask. Many people are afraid to talk about charges and payments because they're afraid they will be perceived as cold and heartless by bringing up the topic of cost. Don't be embarrassed. Veterinarians are very accustomed to discussing the economics of a case and are willing to work with a pet owner in catastrophic situations. That doesn't mean the work will be done for free, but it does mean extending some sort of credit in good faith if bank cards aren't an option.

Accommodations for the Patient

Your cat will be placed in a cage labeled with a card marked with information about him and you. Some veterinary hospitals also put identifying neck bands on patients just as human hospitals use wrist bands. Patients who are scheduled for surgery that day do not get food or water. Once the cat is sufficiently recovered from anesthesia, he will be given water and a litter box.

Visitation and Discharge

If your cat will be hospitalized or boarded for several days, you might ask about bringing in a favorite toy or blanket for a bed. A shirt that has been worn and placed in the cage will oftentimes bring comfort to a seriously ill cat. He will smell your scent on the garment and be more at ease. Normally, most hospital stays are only a day or two. Should it be a longer stay, you might want to visit. Ask the staff about the hospital's visiting policy. Your visit could be very helpful for the staff if you could assist in the feeding. Your visit could also be timed with dressing changes or other nursing procedures and be a good consultation time between you and the vet.

For those patients recovered enough to get out and stretch their legs, many hospitals let the cats out to roam the ward as their cages are cleaned. Some hospitals have set aside playrooms for this purpose. To what degree your cat will be given one-on-one attention and socialization will depend on the facility and available time. If this is an important consideration for you, ask the hospital staff.

How-to Articles in This Series:

Article   1: How to Choose a Vet
Article   2: Hospital Admission of Your Cat
Article   3: Preventive Care: Vaccinations, Serologic Testing, Spaying & Neutering
Article   4: Preventative Care - Dental Care, Flea Control, and Grooming
Article   5: Cooperation - Restraint Procedures and Trimming Claws
Article   6: Keeping Records
Article   7: Care in the Sick Room
Article   8: Keeping Watch - Your Cat's Vital Signs
Article   9: Nutrition for the Cat
Article 10: Feeding the Cat - Including Newborn Kitten Feeding
Article 11: Medications and Prescriptions
Article 12: Basic Nursing 101
Article 13: Managing Bandages and Splints
Article 14: Before and After Surgery and Dentistry
Article 15: Pregnancy and Delivery
Article 16: Euthanasia

Page URL: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/howto2.html

Resource References:
Caring for Your Sick Cat Carol Himsel Daly, DVM and veterinary consultant
Cat Doctor, Mark Evans, B Vet Med MRVCS
Cornell Book of Cats, Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University