Pain Management for Your Cat
When it comes to managing your cat's pain, Cat Care Center offers the highest quality of care utilizing compassion and the most effective feline-centric medical treatments available. We develop a unique pain management plan to best serve the individual needs of your cat. This plan may include medication and complementary treatment, such as My Pet Laser, Loop of Assisi, or a combination of both.
Pets often share traits in common with their humans like a love of popcorn or an achy hip. Research has shown animals also share the way they experience pain. Therefore, you may recognize some medications, techniques, and care for animal pain that your own doctor similarly prescribed for you. Common medications we prescribe for pets include analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), anti-anxiety medications, or topical anesthetics. However, it is very important to note that you should never give your cat medication designed for a human without first consulting with us. Many medications designed for humans can cause life-threatening and irreversible reactions in cats. As with small children, medications should be kept out of reach of your cat.
We may also prescribe lifestyle changes for your cat. A specific diet, soft bedding, stairs to access perches or vertical spaces, age-appropriate play, raised food and water dishes, or an extra snuggle now and then are just some of the things that may help decrease your cat's pain at home.
Many pets experience successful pain relief through complementary medicine. Dr. Lacie is a member of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, allowing her to stay up-to-date on emerging pain management strategies for cats. Our practice believes a comprehensive pain management plan includes the use of many different methods combined in order to provide individualized care for each cat. See our section on Cat Laser Therapy.
Determining whether your cat’s pain is acute or chronic is the first step to identifying the cause. Acute pain is often sudden and triggered by a specific event. For example, if your pet has a recent injury, they may experience acute pain. However, chronic pain persists over a longer term and causes may include conditions such as joint inflammation, arthritis, or dental issues.
Early intervention is important when it comes to managing your cat’s pain. Some common signs of pain in your cat may include:
- Limping
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Vocalization
- Change in temperament or behavior
- Licking a specific area
- Change in bathroom habits
- Panting
- Appearance of the third eyelid
- Hiding
- And others
AAFP - How Do I Know if My Cat is in Pain?
AAFP - Degenerative Joint Disease
Notify our practice right away if you notice any of the above signs so we can take action to assist your pet. Call us today to make an appointment if you think your cat may be in pain.