My cat got spayed and now shes being mean.

Question
Hi. Today my cat tabbi got spayed. She's normally a very sweet and affectionate cat, but after we picked her up she has been very different. Instead of her usual sweetness she is hissing and clawing and even spitting and almost lunging at me. I also want to mention that we have a rescue kitten that's from 6-9 months old. I just would like to know if it is normal for her to behave in this way after the surgery and if this kind of thing is usually temporary. The kitten is only temporary because we gave chosen to foster it. But should I be extremely worried that this is permanent?

Answer
Hi Sora,

This should be temporary. Cats can react to anesthesia and stress in different ways. Most of today's anesthetics are worn off well before the cat goes home, but depending on the agent used, your cat might be having an extended aggressive reaction.

There's also a possibility her pain is poorly controlled. I would call the vet and ask what kind of pain control she was given. Explain that she is very aggressive and you feel it's because she's painful. Most cats are given a pain injection that lasts up to 3 days before leaving the vet's, but this isn't always adequate for every cat. And if your cat didn't receive this, she is certainly feeling poorly. A spay is quite a painful surgery. Your vet should have no problem putting up an additional pain medication for you.

Then, I recommend limiting her to one room and keeping it dimly lit. And just let her decompress for a couple of days. A visit to the hospital is stressful. Cats can hold a grudge against the people who dropped them off or picked them up for a few days. But feed her special treats, and you should be able to win back her love in short order.

Good luck!
Jessica