Managing Pain in Cats
Cats, just like any living animal, feel pain. But cats, unlike many animals, don’t always show they are in pain. Some might become more lethargic or favor the sore body part, but many cat owners are surprised to find out that their furry friend has been uncomfortable, because they just don’t show it.
Causes for Feline Pain
There are many things that can cause pain in cats. A sprained or broken limb, a tail caught in a door, bladder stones, and ear infections can all be sources of pain in cats. Irritable bowel disorder, arthritis, and tooth decay are also some main causes.
Signs of Pain
Researchers have worked in recent years to assess pain tolerance in cats, and have come up with ways owners can determine if their cat is suffering. Some cats in pain will refuse to eat, will stop using their litter box, will growl or meow constantly, become aggressive, or stop grooming themselves. Other cats will over groom the sore area, become restless, or hide. The best thing for an owner to do is to be aware of their cat’s normal activities and watch for a disturbance in them. For example, a regularly friendly, lap-sitting cat that suddenly doesn’t want to be around the owner can be a cause for concern.
Treatment
Veterinarians have been reluctant in the past to give pain medication to cats, mainly because they are such sensitive animals. Even today, many more vet medicines are made specifically for dogs because they have fewer side effects from them. We do know that cats do not tolerate things like Acetaminophen or aspirin, and in fact, these are usually toxic to cats. Some forms of morphine are safe at low doses, and are used by many vets to manage feline pain.
Other forms of treatment for cat pain are injectable medications given locally at the pain site, nutritional supplements like glucosamine, and even acupuncture. Good home care is also important, and cat owners can give a little extra attention to their elderly or sick cats. It might help to move the litter box to the main level of the house, or their food dish to the floor, so they don’t have to do stairs or jump. A warm blanket put on the chair the cat likes to sleep on will warm them and also help them feel better.
