Pain in Cats
What is Pain?
Pain is an unpleasant signal that something hurts. It is often multifactorial and involves physical and emotional stress. For example, a cat that undergoes a painful procedure such as the draining of an abscess, will experience physical pain around the inflamed area, but may also experience feelings of fear. Pain is considered a welfare concern so it should always be addressed. Pain can be categorized as either acute, chronic, or neuropathic.
Acute pain usually occurs for a brief period of time because of disease, injury, or a surgical procedure.
Chronic pain is ongoing pain, usually because of a long-term disease such as osteoarthritis.
Neuropathic pain sometimes results from uncontrolled chronic pain. It is caused by injury to, or dysfunction of the nervous system. In this state, even a non-painful stimulus may be interpreted as pain by the animal.
Signs of Pain in Cats
Cats are unable to tell us where it hurts or how severe the pain is, so recognizing the signs can sometimes be challenging. Often cats will instinctively try to hide signs of pain so it is important to be vigilant so that you can pick up on subtle indicators such as:
Changes in Movement
A reluctance to move or a change in the way your cat moves might be an indication of pain. A leg or paw injury may be noted by a visible limp, however, in other cases pain may be more subtle. For instance, you may notice that your cat that used to jump on furniture is no longer doing so. This may be a sign of pain or discomfort.
Changes in Posture
A cat experiencing pain may change the way they carry themselves in an attempt to alleviate some of the pain that they are experiencing. This may be apparent in the way they walk. For instance, they may hunch their backs as they walk to take pressure of other parts of the body.
Changes in Behavior or Demeanor
Pain often causes a change in behavior or demeanor. Sometimes a cat may seek closeness and comfort. In other instances, they may become more aloof, distancing themselves from the family and becoming more withdrawn or less willing to be touched. A change in usual sleeping habits may also indicate that a cat is in pain. For instance, they may become more restless because they are unable to get comfortable.
If a cat is experiencing acute pain, either from an internal problem, recent injury, or surgery, they may try to prevent you from touching the painful area or even show uncharacteristic aggression. You may also notice muscle twitches, shaking, or licking/biting at a particular area.
Vocalization
Cats experiencing pain may become quiet and withdrawn, however, those suffering from intense or sudden acute pain may let you know by the sounds they make. Hissing, yowling or growling may indicate that something is wrong.
What to Do if you Think your Cat is in Pain?
It is good practice to conduct regular nose to tail checks on your cat. This will familiarize you with what is "normal" for your pet. You should be looking and feeling around your cat’s body for any sign of injury, swelling, heat, tenderness, lumps, or bumps.
If you have any concerns over your cat's health, or are worried that your cat is in pain, always consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Managing Pain in Cats
There are a variety of licensed medications and supplements available to treat and manage pain in cats. The most commonly used licensed medications, which require a prescription from your veterinarian, include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), opioid, and monoclonal antibody drugs. Norbrook® is proud to offer Loxicom®
(meloxicam) 5 mg/mL Solution for Injection that could be incorporated into your cat’s treatment plan. Loxicom® is indicated for the control of postoperative pain and inflammation associated with orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy and castration when administered prior to surgery.
It is important to adhere to the prescription instructions provided by your veterinarian to ensure that the drug performs as expected, and to lessen the risk of unintended side effects.
Your veterinarian may also recommend short or long-term lifestyle changes to help alleviate pain. This may include dietary management, limiting exercise or making home adaptations to help make your animal more comfortable.
If your cat is undergoing surgery, it is likely that pain relief is built into the anesthetic plan. Often a pain medication will be administered at the start of the procedure so that it is in the system prior to any painful stimulus and then your veterinarian will follow-up with additional pain medication to be given after the procedure.
Treating Pain and Inflammation in Cats
Learn more about Loxicom® (meloxicam) 5 mg/mL Solution for Injection.
Safety Information
Loxicom® (meloxicam) 5 mg/mL Solution for Injection
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Warning: Repeated use of meloxicam in cats has been associated with acute renal failure and death. Do not administer additional injectable or oral meloxicam to cats. See the Contraindications, Warnings and Precautions section of the package insert for detailed information. |
As with other NSAID-class medications, signs of meloxicam intolerance may include appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea, which could indicate side effects involving the digestive tract, liver or kidneys. Some of these side effects may occur without warning and, in rare situations may be serious, resulting in hospitalization or even death. Observe the dog or cat for signs of potential drug toxicity. If these signs occur, discontinue meloxicam therapy and contact a veterinarian immediately. Loxicom® should be administered to cats only via the subcutaneous (SQ) route. Do not use intravenously (IV) in cats. Concomitant use with other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDs or corticosteroids, should be avoided. Do not administer a second dose of meloxicam to cats. Do not follow the single, one-time dose of meloxicam with any other NSAID or with meloxicam oral suspension in cats. Do not use meloxicam in cats with pre-existing renal dysfunction. Refer to the product insert here for additional safety information (including warnings, precautions and contraindications) and full directions for use.
The Norbrook logo and Loxicom are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited.
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