TNR Handbook - Neighborhood Cats

The Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook
case, then find out before the cat is tested what the policy is for handling positive cats. If
they will automatically euthanize the animal, which unfortunately is often the case, then
we recommend you do not work with them if at all possible. As the caretaker of the
colony, as the one who watches over, worries and feeds the cats on a daily basis, it is
your right to decide their fate, not the veterinarian’s. The veterinarian is there to help and
provide information, not make life-or-death decisions in your place. Feral cats are not
second-class animals and should receive the same consideration as a domestic cat. A
veterinarian would never presume to decide for the guardian of a house cat that the
animal is going to be euthanized, nor should he do so for a feral simply because he’s
providing his services to you for free or at a discount.
• Post-surgical recovery
Anesthetic withdrawal
Depending on the spay/neuter clinic, the cats may be returned to your care prior to
their full recovery from the anesthesia. In those instances, it’s important to recognize the
typical stages of anesthetic withdrawal so you can properly assess whether everything is
going well.
In the first stage, the cat is unconscious (Figure 1).
Everything is normal if she is breathing regularly,
gums are pink and not white, and eyes are wide open
and reflexively blink when tapped at the corner. Care
must be taken to ensure the cat does not lie in a
position that would constrict their windpipe and cut
off their breathing, such as awkwardly twisting their
neck. Because this assessment may require handling
of the cat, cats in the unconscious stage should not be
returned to the caretaker. Only experienced
veterinary staff should ever pass judgment on whether
it is safe to touch a sedated feral cat.
In the second stage, depending on the type of
Figure 1
anesthetic used, the cat may shake or twitch a fair amount, as though violently shivering
or in a mild seizure. This is nothing to be alarmed about. The anesthesia causes the cat
to lose control over the regulation of her body temperature, which drops. As the drugs
wear off, the cat shivers to regain warmth. The drop in body temperature is why it is vital
that a recently neutered cat be placed in a warm space for recovery (at least 65 degrees
Fahrenheit). During this stage and hereafter, the cat should be confined in her trap.
In the third stage, the cat has regained consciousness, but not full control over bodily
movements. The cat may struggle to move about and fall over or swoon, appearing in a
drunken state. She may bang up against the sides of the trap, trying to get out. The trap
should be covered with a sheet by this point to provide a sense of security.
Finally, upon full withdrawal, the cat will lie or sit quietly, appearing perhaps a little
tired but otherwise alert.
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