Keywords: feline surgery, elective surgery, emergency surgery, general anaesthesia, peri‑operative monitoring, pain management, wound healing, spay‑neuter, soft‑tissue surgery, orthopaedic surgery
Feline surgery covers both elective planned procedures and urgent emergency interventions, aiming to correct anatomical defects, remove diseased tissues, repair trauma and relieve persistent pain. Safe general anaesthesia, strict aseptic technique, careful peri‑operative monitoring and standardised pain control jointly determine surgical success. Cats have unique physiological features; therefore species‑adapted protocols are necessary to reduce anaesthetic and surgical risks.
Spay and neuter are the most common elective surgeries for pet cats. Ovariohysterectomy in female cats prevents oestrus behaviour, uterine pyometra and mammary neoplasia. Castration for male cats reduces roaming, urine spraying and the risk of testicular disorders. These minimally invasive operations are usually completed within a short time. Most stable patients can be discharged on the same day after full recovery from anaesthesia.
Soft‑tissue surgery deals with skin, abdominal, thoracic and oral structures. Typical cases include mass excision, hernia repair, removal of ingested gastrointestinal foreign bodies, wound debridement and dental extraction. Emergency soft‑tissue surgery is frequently required for bite‑wound abscesses, bladder obstruction and abdominal trauma. Meticulous haemostasis and sterile operation help avoid postoperative haemorrhage and bacterial infection.
Orthopaedic surgery treats fractures, joint luxations and ligament injuries caused by falls or traffic accidents. Implants such as pins, plates and screws are applied to stabilise broken bones. Strict confinement after surgery is essential, as excessive activity may cause implant loosening or delayed bone union.
Anaesthetic safety deserves special attention. Pre‑operative blood screening assesses organ function to identify hidden risks. During anaesthesia, veterinarians continuously monitor heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and body temperature. Effective peri‑operative pain management uses analgesic drugs before, during and after surgery to lower stress response.
At home, owners must prevent cats from licking surgical wounds by using an Elizabethan collar. They should observe appetite, activity level, wound swelling and discharge. Restricted movement and follow‑up re‑checks promote wound healing. Whether for routine sterilisation or life‑saving emergency operations, appropriate surgical intervention greatly improves cats’ survival and life quality.