At Providence Animal Hospital, our veterinarians perform both scheduled and emergency c-sections for cats and dogs in Charlotte.
What is a c-section?
A c-section (caesarean section) is major surgery during which puppies or kittens are removed from the uterus of a dog or cat. Most animals recover quickly and without complication from this procedure.
At Providence Animal Hospital, we often perform c-sections in emergency cases where the animal has difficulty giving birth naturally. A c-section may also be prescribed by your vet preventively in specific dog breeds, or in common complicated birth scenarios.
Preparing for a C-Section
C-sections in cats and dogs are usually preformed in emergency situations, where the animal has been labouring for too long. If your pet is having a planned c-section, your vet will give you specific pre-operation instructions well in advance.
Recovering from the Anesthesia
The anesthetic should wear off quickly after the surgery. Most cats and dogs are fully recovered from anesthesia by the time they go home. Complete recovery from anesthesia may take two to six hours.
During anesthesia recovery period, closely monitor your pet so that she does not fall and hurt herself, or roll over on top of the newborn puppies. Before leaving her alone with the puppies/kittens, ensure that she is completely awake, able to stand on her own, and that she has taken an interest in caring for her babies.
Home Care After a C-Section
You must monitor the new mother and her puppies/kittens constantly in the first 24 hours after surgery. This will require staying up overnight and placing the puppies or kittens on the teats to ensure that they feed, and that the mother’s natural hormones become activated to induce her mothering instincts.
Your pet should begin eating within a few hours of arriving at home. For the first 24 hours after surgery, offer her small only amounts of food and water at frequent intervals (every 15 to 30 minutes).
You'll find your dog or cat needs to eat a lot of food during the nursing period. She should be fed a premium, high-quality food during nursing in order to provide sufficient nutrition for her and her litter.