Apollo // Recovery

Lack of appetite — don't wait more than a day before ringing. He's already down from 4.85 kg. A cat that stops eating properly risks hepatic lipidosis.

Lack of faecal matter — nothing since the 20th/21st, and opioids plus gabapentin are constipating. A constipated cat straining looks almost identical to a blocked one: check whether anything actually comes out.

Blood in the urine — a small amount is expected early, up to about a week. Increasing or heavy is not.

Swelling, bruising or bleeding at the surgical site.

Excessive licking — cone stays on 24/7. Licking introduces infection and risks a stricture. If he's at it constantly, that's what the buprenorphine is for.

Vomiting or diarrhoea — stop the Metacam and tell them. Note clindamycin can also cause this: ask them now which to stop first, rather than deciding it at 11pm.

Confirm the Zodon course length — not written on the sheet. Standard feline course is 7–10 days.

Confirm the Metacam dial at 4.3 kg, not the 4.5 kg written on the sheet.

Book suture removal for two weeks post-op with Matt, under sedation — don't rely on a callback.

Ask for a follow-up urine sample after the antibiotics finish, to prove the infection cleared.

Ask whether the cystotomy was itemised — the bladder was opened to retrieve a cut catheter tip, not for stones.

Correct the insurance flag on his file — Antonio recorded him as insured. He isn't.