I received this message four days before the start of a new pet sit: “We are getting the cat fixed tomorrow, so she may have a cone when you get here, she went into heat earlier than we expected. I have some Amazon packages showing up on Friday, just bring them inside off the front porch. What time do you think you’ll be here on Friday?”
There was no mention or discussion about the cat’s condition prior to this message. I have had this pet sit booked for over four months. I have not heard back about the surgery. I would welcome any input.
Sitting for a cat post surgery, while not ideal wouldn’t phase me but what does phase me is the tone of the messages. What were your previous communications like?
Hi scottchites,
Just looked it up. Doesn’t sound too daunting.
After being spayed, a cat
typically experiences 10–14 days of recovery, requiring restricted activity to allow the abdominal incision to heal. They may be groggy, have a reduced appetite, and need to wear an e-collar to prevent licking. Long-term, they will no longer go into heat, their risk of uterine infections is eliminated, and their metabolism may slow down.
The very first house sit I did was for a cat with a broken leg, so had restrictive activity in the same way. He was kept in a cage but needed foot massaged to keep circulation going. Also an extra visit to vets as medication causing diarrhea.
I am sure being spayed will not cause any problems. I would not be worried by it.
Good .luck.
Spay surgery is relatively minor. Feral cats are typically released back into their colonies 24 hours after being spayed. If there are no complications, a cat will be in pretty good shape 4 days post-surgery. The cone is extra precautious, probably overkill and something the cat will have adapted to by the time of your arrival. The host’s message is casual in tone and pretty much what you’d receive if I had sent it. It would never have occurred to me that my handling a routine health issue would unsettle an experienced sitter unless I simply skipped mentioning it until their arrival. Your host seems to be keeping you well informed on last minute developments. What am I (or your host) missing here?
That said, the last cat we adopted came from a kill-shelter soon after being spayed. She developed a large seroma. It was dramatic enough that we had our vet “fix” it for a couple $100. It came right back before resolving on its own over the next week or so. Seromas are fairly common and normally show up 3-10 days post surgery so it’s worth familiarizing yourself.
Also check with your host to ask how you should handle any post-op issues. Have they arranged payment of vet bills in their absence? Their response to your inquiry will be more illuminating than their short update.
From the tone of that message I’d say you’re definitely viewed as “staff”. But if you check you won’t be expected to pay any vets bills it should be fine.
It should be fine a especially day 4 post op. You should check if you will be required to give any pain medication and how to administer it, and discuss payment for the vet if a complication arises.
But really day 1 and 2 are the trickiest, by day 4 kitty should be well on the mend.
@scottchikes As someone else mentioned, and I feel it’s worth reinforcement, is to make sure that the homeowner has made financial arrangements with the vet in case you need to take the kitty back for any reason.
Please don’t wait to discuss this when you arrive at the sit. Chat with homeowners NOW so they have time to make arrangements, if they haven’t done so yet.
@scottchikes Agree with the comment above, does sound a bit like you’re viewed as staff. What have you agreed on (in writing) regarding vetcare and payment for this in the event of emergencies? Cause if you have’nt cleared this, the T&Cs will, and they’re not in your favour
Thank you for your response. Communication has been like pulling teeth. I finally received a Welcome Guide last week after prompting a few times. However, there was no information about pet care for the cat or the two dogs in the home.
The tone of the message would bother me more than the surgery. If I was the homeowner, I would have been more apologetic and asked if you were okay with taking care of the cat post surgery, not assumed it.
The cat must be very young if she has just gone into heat for the first time. Kittens can go into heat at 4 months old. Their recovery from surgery will be quick, but it is a more complicated surgery when the cat is in heat. I have trapped and fixed many cats and I release them 24 hours after surgery, unless they were in heat or pregnant and then I hold them for 48 hours.
Ideally a female kitten should not run or jump around too much after surgery, but that’s going to be impossible to stop with a kitten. After 4 days, she should be fine.
In addition to the stray cats that I have fixed, I have fostered 170+ cats, most of whom were spayed or neutered in my care.
Thank you for your question. My primary concern is centered around communication and lack of planning on the HO’s part. After care will still take some time after four days, but there are also two active dogs involved and I want to ensure the environment will support the cat. I received a Welcome Guide last week after prompting, but there is no information under the pet care section.
Thank you, Lassie! I appreciate your thoughtful and detailed message. You nailed it. The message and the tone concern me most. Mentioning the surgery and taking in packages in the same breath doesn’t compute for me. I have fostered multiple litters over the years and helped get feral cats spayed and neutered. I have also supported cats during recovery. This cat was listed as one year old, and the HO is stating it’s the first heat. The numbers don’t add up.
Thanks for elaborating, @scottchikes . Those all sound like valid questions & concerns. I’d probably take my cue from the vibes I got during the video chat, vs just the text message — I’ve had some splendid hosts who just don’t do so well with written communications.
That potentially being the case, I’d certainly text back and ask for a follow-up call or video chat to express exactly what you’ve said here — the part about how to ensure the environment will support the cat’s recovery, particularly as you’re a sitter in an unknown environment who’ll be doubly concerned with guaranteeing you’ve got all the details. That will also be a good time to go over contingency planning for handling vet visits & payment, should it be necessary.
If the host balks at having an in-person convo, that’s where I’d become concerned and begin considering a cancellation of the sit.
Best of luck; please keep us posted about how things play out.
