Pain Relief for Cats

As compared to pet dogs, cats have the advantage of being low maintenance pets. But as in the case of any living being, old age can create some health disorders in pet cats too. The most common among these health problems is joint pain, due to arthritis. Urinary tract infection in cats can be a cause of pain, along with a fractured limb or an external injury. Sometimes, the owner may succeed in figuring out the exact cause for the pain, but most of the time it is not possible. Whatever may be the cause, it has been observed that cats have the habit of concealing pain. This makes it more difficult for the owner to detect the source of pain.

Pain in Cats - Causes

Pain in cats can be due to various reasons, which are not easy to detect. You may not even notice that the cat is in pain. It requires careful attention to detect any physical or behavioral changes, which can be a symptom of pain and underlying conditions. The changes in the behavior of cats may include some withdrawal signs or irritability, whereas physical changes may be a change in the heartbeat or dilated pupils. Sometimes, you can analyze the situation and find out the cause of pain, as in the case of an external injury. Most cases of acute pain are caused by some accident or injury, whereas chronic pain may be a sign of a disease, like arthritis. Pain in cats can also be caused by cancer or from damage to nerves. While acute pain may subside within three to four days, chronic pain may last till the underlying condition is treated.

But in other situations, where you are not able to pinpoint the cause of pain in your cat, you have to take the help of a veterinary doctor. The doctor will have to analyze various factors before reaching a conclusion regarding the cause of pain. A pain scale is used by vets to rate the pain of cats. The factors, that are taken into consideration are the age, gender, intensity of the pain and the affected region of the body. A comparative study of these factors helps the doctors find out the cause of the pain and administer the treatment.

Pain Relief for Cats

It is very difficult to see your pet cats in pain. People often think of administering painkillers, which are meant for humans, to their cats. But never resort to such actions, as this can prove fatal for the cats. Medications meant for humans, including babies, cannot be tolerated by cats. Their liver does not produce enough enzymes to metabolize the drugs meant for humans. Such drugs can be dangerous for cats and may even lead to their death. The most dangerous among them is acetaminophen (Tylenol), which should be avoided. Prescription drugs for pain in cats include butorphanol, which may cause sedation. But you should not try to give any medicines to your cat, as you can't take chances with the wrong dose and the wrong drug. Above all, most times, you are in dark regarding the cause of pain. Hence, the best thing that you can do is to take your pet to a good vet in your area and act according to his instructions.

Even though, it is not advisable to administer drugs to your cat without consulting a vet, you can try some natural methods to provide pain relief for cats. They include acupuncture clinics, which are meant for pets, especially cats. Acupuncture techniques can be beneficial in providing pain relief for cats, without causing any side effects. But such alternative medicines for pets may cost you more than conventional treatments. According to some cat owners, copper collars have been beneficial in pain relief for cats. Apart from pain relief, it is also claimed that these collars are effective in bringing positive behavioral changes in cats. Magnetic pads are also used for pain relief in cats. They are said to be beneficial in boosting the energy levels of cats. For cats with arthritis, the best thing you can do for them is arranging for a massage treatment. Proper and regular massage is good for pain relief for cats.

You can also take some preventive measures for maintaining your cat's health, like providing a heated pad, in case of cats affected by arthritis. You can also provide litter boxes on each floor of your building. You will have to provide some cat training to familiarize your pets with such accessories. Make some modifications in the cat food, as per the age and physical conditions of your cat, according to the instructions of the vet. Above all, find time to spend with your cat and put in your best efforts to nurse it back to health.