Pain after spay surgery

Question
My cat had surgery this morning to get her fixed. I got her back around 5pm. Since she's been home she's been acting weird. She's been hissing at everyone and growling. She tries to bite and scratch everyone in my house hold. I dont know if she's in pain and I feel so bad right now, because I dont know how to help her. The vet told me they gave her a pain medicine that lasts for 3 days, but that sounds very odd. They didnt provide me with additional pain medicine or anything like that. Im curious if her behavior is because she's in pain or is it because of something else? Also, I know they said not to let her run or jump around, but is it ok if she jumps on the bed from the floor? Im keeping her in my room, but she keeps getting on and off the bed and she wont let me touch her or get near her to help her. I dont know what to do.

Answer
Hi Cassandra.  There could be a combination of things contributing to her behavior.  Certain anesthetics can cause a cat to behave strangely while the anesthesia is wearing off (check your invoice for isoflurane, sevoflurane, Telazol, ketamine and diazepam, which can have this effect).  This is called emergence delerium.  It typically only lasts a short time and has resolved well before the cat is released from the hospital, but I have had a couple of cats who weren't themselves until the next morning.

Some cats also react to the stress of the experience itself with aggression.  This can even be seen in cats who go to vets for no more than a check up.  The aggression can last for a couple of weeks, but most cats fully recover.  Using products to reduce anxiety, such as Feliway (www.feliway.com), can sometimes help the cat feel more relaxed.  Spraying the cat's carrier with Feliway before vet visits sometimes reduces the trauma they experience.

That said, my personal opinion is that this is very likely pain related.  As a general rule, cats do get pain injections, most often of Rimadyl which lasts for 3 days, before they leave the hospital.  Rimadyl is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, much like ibuprofen.  It is not the ultimate medication for acute pain.  Many cats recover okay after a spay with the combination of Rimadyl and a short-lasting narcotic injection along with the residual pain-control effects of some anesthetic agents.  But some do require a narcotic pain reliever to help them through the first couple of days, and more and more vets are recognizing this.  I would urge you to contact your vet tomorrow morning, before they are likely to close for the holiday, and ask for a stronger pain medication.  Most vets will fill a prescription for Torbutrol, an opioid that is much better for controlling severe pain than Rimadyl and other NSAIDS.  

As for her jumping and climbing, this is mainly advised against because cats can be groggy and fall and hurt themselves for about 24 hours after anesthesia.  If she seems perfectly stable, it's okay for her to go from the floor onto the bed and back.  If she seems dizzy or is stumbling, you may want to see if there's any other place you could shoo her into where she would be more confined.

Best of luck!

Jessica