Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.
Within the continuation of this two-part series on Pain in Cats: an Owners’ Manual (you may read the primary part on Recognizing Pain here), we have a look at the misconceptions of feline pain, which abound. As well, we will touch on the motion items that may aid you be the most effective advocate for pain in your cat, and resolving it. To recap, you’re the most effective advocate (or advo-cat) on your feline, so the more knowledge you may have, the higher we as vets can aid you address any concerns. So, let’s jump straight in.
Common Misconceptions About Cats In Pain
There are a whole lot of misconceptions about pain and the way it shows in cats. Partially, it’s because they’re implausible at hiding pain. Largely, it’s because they may be fairly subtle with their body language and the signals they send.
Misconception: Cats at all times show once they are in pain.
Truth: Actually, many don’t, or achieve this very subtly.
Misconception: A purring cat is a pleased cat.
Truth: Cats purr when nervous, and in pain, in addition to once they are pleased.
Misconception: Because they’re eating, they’ll’t have pain.
Truth: This can be a quite common misconception I confer with clients. Cats will eat well despite some pretty terrible dental disease. So never use this as a sign that their dental health is superb, or that they don’t need dental care. Routine annual examinations are critical to detect these issues early! Among the patients I see with the healthiest appetites have teeth literally falling out of their mouths!
Misconception: Pain is normal in certain situations.
Truth: Any pain ought to be investigated, even in case your cat has recently had major surgery. Cats don’t have to be in pain, because of the numerous treatment options which might be available in modern feline medicine. A painful cat isn’t obligatory, and doesn’t help the healing process (by keeping them quiet)—that’s a myth. In actual fact, research in humans shows that pain delays healing, and we imagine this to be true in cats, as well.
Misconception: Using opioids prescribed for my cat may cause constipation or opioid addiction.
Truth: In clinical practice, opioids appear to almost never result in constipation within the cats I’ve worked with. So, in case your vet prescribes them, use them as directed. Similarly, many consumers I’ve worked with are concerned about their cat developing an opioid addiction: it doesn’t work that way in cats.
Misconception: Human pain medications are OK to be used in cats.
Truth: Unquestionably, they aren’t. Use what your vet prescribes, and nothing else.
Now that we’ve covered the common causes in feline pain at home, the best way to recognize them, and the misconceptions around pain, let’s get to the actual crux of the matter. When you discover pain in your cat, what do you do next? That is the critical a part of the equation, because it allows your cat to receive the treatment they need.
Getting an appointment for pain in your cat:
- Take video: a video is a fantastic tool to capture the behavior you’re seeing at home, which is usually not replicated in a clinic!
- Next, speak to your vet clinic, and book an appointment. Critical tip: Provide them with the video before an appointment (either via email, or a file-sharing service corresponding to Gmail Drive) in order that they have the chance to see it before your cat’s appointment. Skilled secret: we are going to often share such videos with colleagues within the clinic and think about it together, which suggests you’ll often be getting second and third opinions in your video, which is all the higher on your cat (and freed from charge to you!)
- Do research beforehand, on what your cat is displaying, and what tests or treatments is likely to be available. Bring a written list of questions, so that you don’t forget to ask them. Expect that bloodwork could also be needed, as may additional imaging corresponding to x-rays. Sometimes, this will not all be done at the identical appointment.
- Attend the appointment.
- If you may have concerns, and so they aren’t addressed, it’s alright to ask for a second opinion! Seriously, I’ve never met a vet that minds. We wish you, and your cat, to get the most effective care, and to be pleased with the consequence. Sometimes you don’t bond well with a vet, or like their approach, or just need things explained otherwise. Or you think that you see something they don’t. Remember, you understand your cat higher than we do – so don’t hesitate to advocate for them.
Closely observing your cat before a vet appointment can aid you discover any problems and get appropriate treatment.
Top Suggestions for Pain Treatments in Cats
Lastly, I desired to share some suggestions from a veterinarian’s perspective, that may aid you higher manage pain in your cat. These are things that as knowledgeable, I’d love so that you can know, but often don’t have time to totally discuss in an appointment. Or, sometimes, we discuss it, but given the quantity of data that cat owners should process in any given appointment, I’m surprised anything is remembered!
- Know that many feline medications are available a liquid, and a pill form – so resolve if one will probably be easier on your cat. If unsure, I like to recommend pills (aka tablets), as they’ll sometimes be put into food, which skips the necessity to pill your cat. (Churus are an incredible tool to cover pills for cats, by the way in which!) However, if you happen to are giving liquid, the volumes are sometimes fairly large, and in case your cat spits it out, then you definately don’t know if it’s essential repeat the dose, and if that’s the case, how much.
- Here is video for pilling your cat. That is the tactic I exploit myself—a cat facing away from me is simpler to work with. Also, tilting their head up barely opens their mouth naturally, making it easier to present the medication.
- Transdermal patches are also an option for some medications, so are injections. For cats that hate having their mouths touched, these may be higher alternatives!
- Quick-dissolving tablets are an alternative choice for some medications, but I’ve not had good success as knowledgeable getting cats to grasp the speculation of those! So, I often avoid these.
- Not all pain meds work well for all cats. In case your cat has been prescribed something, and also you don’t feel it really works, don’t hesitate to ask for a distinct option. Similarly, if a drugs causes vomiting or diarrhea, speak along with your veterinarian to search out an alternative choice.
- Generics vs Brand Name medications: Much as in people, there shouldn’t be much within the difference…. But sometimes, there’s. We don’t fully understand why, because the lively ingredients are the identical. Sometimes, additional additives could be the perpetrator, sometimes not. But if you happen to feel a brand name medication works higher than a generic brand or vice versa, don’t hesitate to request the choice form.
In the long run, cats are lovely mysteries, and as cat owners, we would like nothing but the most effective for them. I hope this Cat Owners Manual on Pain is informative, and allows you opportunities to best advocate on your feline.