How to Treat Pain Relief for Cats

It can be awful to see a pet cat in pain. Of course, any cat owner’s first instinct is to help their pet, but it can be difficult to figure out what’s wrong. Fortunately, the animal medical profession has developed several methods of pain relief for cats, ranging from patches and pills to acupuncture and massage. Since cats can’t talk, it’s up to an owner to perceive that something isn’t right. Sometimes you’ll be able to easily determine the source of your cat’s pain, but other times it could take an educated expert. If your cat is behaving in a way that leads you to conclude that something is wrong, consult your vet, who will then be able to recommend one of several methods of pain relief for cats.

Pet pain relief is a rapidly growing field, due in large part to pet owners’ willingness to spend serious money on a pet’s medical care. As our cats and dogs become more like family members, research into their medical care becomes a higher priority among the medical community. Vets recommend that owners ask animal hospitals about pain relief options prior to surgery, and also that they maintain a healthy home environment for their cats, feeding them high quality foods as a preventive measure.

Vets say that, essentially, there are five basic categories of pain relief for cats. These break down as follows:

• NSAIDS : This stands for “Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs”, and includes both prescription and non-prescription products. For example, some manufacturers produce a version of aspirin for cats that can be hidden in food. Prescription NSAIDS include medications like Butazolidin, Rimadyl and Metacam. No NSAIDS should be used on your cat without a vet consultation. These are frequently prescribed for after-surgery use and chronic pain.
• Nutraceuticals : There are non-prescription nutritional supplements that strengthen body tissue, helping to repair damaged tendons or joints that could be causing your cat pain. You might be surprised to see that many of these supplements, like Omega 3 capsules or Glucosamine, are also recommended for humans. This therapy will take time to work but, ultimately, these products speed up the healing process and your vet can recommend these treatments after evaluating your cat.
• Opioids : These controlled substances are seldom prescribed for cats, but it has been known to happen in severe cases. Drugs like morphine, Demerol and codeine are all serious painkillers, and are only likely to be suggested if your cat is suffering from advanced arthritic pain or cancer. The goal here is to improve the quality of your cat’s remaining life.
• Chiropractic exercises : As vets become more familiar with the feline body, there is mounting evidence that massage and acupuncture can be effective pain relief for cats. Especially if the pain seems to be muscle related, consult a specialist to find out more about this potential treatment.
• Steroids : Many cats are athletic, which has lead doctors to experiment with pain treatments that are similar to those prescribed for human athletes. Drugs like Cortisone and Depo-Medrol have shown promise as anti-inflammatory treatments. However, they are only recommended over short-term courses since side-effects can also be similarly unpleasant to those occurring in humans who use steroids.