Hospitalization and nursing care
Your cat may need to be brought to your vet's office from time to time for critical nursing care. This usually happens when your cat is very sick and needs care around the clock, or when the medicine is very strong or specific.
Why does my cat have to stay at the veterinary surgery?
Cats that need surgery or are very sick may need to be brought to the vet's office so they can get hospitalization and nursing care. This way, your cat can get care from a professional that you might not be able to give them at home. How long you have to stay in the hospital will depend on why you are there and how well your cat gets better.
Can I visit my cat?
This will need to be evaluated case-by-case, while it might be feasible in some situations. Ill cats prefer to be left alone and may not find much enjoyment in having their owners visit them. Consult your veterinarian to determine if visiting your pet is suitable. If they believe it could be beneficial, you can schedule a time that works for everyone. The vet staff should call you with updates on your cat's condition if you are unable to see your pet in the hospital. These will occur regularly, typically more than once a day.
Will my cat miss me?
Cats might feel more at ease at home than in a hospital. Most cats in hospitals, on the other hand, will be sick and need extra care, and they might not even be aware of where they are. Even though seeing them would make you feel better, your sick cat might not like you coming over. The people who work at the vet clinic will give your pet the best care and do everything they can to make sure your pet is comfortable.
Where will my cat be hospitalized?
Things that each veterinary office has will be different from the next. Some practices may not have hospitals on site because they are "branch" offices of larger practices. For this reason, you might have to take your cat to the main office if it needs to be hospitalized.
What about overnight care?
Your pet will remain where they are if your veterinarian office offers 24-hour care. Your pet might need to be taken to a different hospital and then returned the next day if your veterinarian uses an out-of-hours care provider for nighttime treatment. In certain situations, you might have to take your cat to an after-hours care facility, pick it up the following day, and return it to your usual vet office. To do this, several veterinarian clinics might offer a taxi service. Though not ideal, the after-hours service will offer a committed group of veterinary caregivers who will be available all through the night.
Who will look after my cat?
Once your pet is admitted to the hospital, a vet will decide how to care for them. It will be up to them to write medications, do surgeries, and keep an eye on things. A registered veterinary nurse will help the vets by taking care of your cat, giving it medicine, and talking to the vets. In some offices, veterinary assistants help with routine care like feeding and cleaning. These people will work together to make sure your cat gets the best care possible.
Do I need to pay each day?
A lot of the time, hospital stays are charged for every day. Any care and medicine that the animal needs will cost extra. You can avoid being surprised when it's time to pay by asking your vet for a running sum every day. This will let you know how much the bill is going to be. If your cat has insurance, you may get the cost of hospitalization covered. You will need to check with your insurance company about this.
What happens when my cat can go home?
When your cat is healthy enough for you to go home, your vet will set up a time for you to come in and talk about how to continue taking care of them at home. Before letting you continue, they will go over the medicines you need to give, show you how to do it, and make sure you are happy with it. They will also tell you when to get more help and go over any danger signs you should be aware of that your cat isn't getting better as they should. It is very important that you follow the instructions for release so that you can take good care of your cat when you get home. It's okay to ask questions if something isn't clear to you; sometimes it can be hard to understand everything. Most of the time, your vet will give you written instructions to follow. If you have any questions, though, don't be afraid to call the office and ask for someone to go over them with you.
What if I do not want my cat to be hospitalised?
In order to keep your cat from going to the hospital, you need to talk to your vet. Your vet will tell you what's best for your cat, and you should follow their advice if it means putting your cat in the hospital. But your vet will try to come up with a home care plan if you can't get your pet to the hospital for some reason or if you are worried about money. Remember that this is probably not the best choice for your cat; it's just what you can do.
Even though no one likes going to the hospital, your vet will only suggest that your cat go if they think it is best for them. Talk to your vet about any fears you have at all times.
