Causes of Cat Pain
- Fractures
- Sprains
- Wounds
- Inflammation
- Muscular spasms
- Extreme heat or cold
Symptoms that Your Cat Might Be in Pain
- Meowing, hissing or groaning
- Lack of appetite
- Hiding
- Lethargy
- Rapid breathing
- Aggression
- Increased heart rate
- Limited interaction with people
It's easier to treat the pain soon after it happens. The pain can be treated with pain-killer drugs, injections, anti-inflammatory drugs that include both steroidal and non-steroidal drugs. Cats suffering from severe pain may also be given supportive care to make them feel more comfortable.
Pain Killer Drugs
They form part of the Opioids group. Drugs such as oxymorphone, morphine, demerol and codeine are painkillers that have serious side effects and must be administered after careful consideration.
Nutritional Supplements
These supplements contain essential minerals and fatty acids that help in the healing process. There are many commercially available nutritional supplements that help repair tissue and ligament damage.
NSAID
These are non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs that can actually be quite toxic to your cat. Acetaminophen, aspirin and carprofen are known NSAID. Butazolidin, metacam are prescription NSAID that are mostly used after surgery.
Steroids
Steroidal drugs such as prednisone and cortisone are reserved for specific treatments in cats. Steroids are used in limitation due to their known side effects.
Some Pain Management Techniques
- Localized injection for short term pain relief
- Use of warm or cold compress
- Acupuncture and massage
- IV fluids
The doctor will conduct diagnostic tests to find out the true cause of the pain before treating it. Diagnostic tests are a combination of blood tests, physical examination, X-ray, urinalysis, CT scan or MRI. Although pain medication may temporarily suppress pain, it's important to completely cure the source of pain.
If the cause of your cat's pain is not evident, and if she shows other symptoms along with signs of pain, medical assistance is necessary. As part of the physical examination the doctor will check the cat's heart rate, temperature and respiratory rate.
Home Remedies for Dealing with Mild Pain
If your pet has a minor visible injury and consequent swelling you may use an ice pack on the affected area. Homoeopathic remedies are useful to reduce pain. Arnica is a known homoeopathic medication that helps treat minor bruises or muscular strains. Cats who suffer from arthritis or chronic pain should be put on a low carbohydrate diet. This diet will assist in weight loss and provide relief from stiff joint pain. Cats suffering from pain might not groom themselves and it would benefit your cat if you brush her coat regularly.
If you notice that your cat is in extreme pain and there isn't a known reason for the pain, it's best to schedule an appointment with her vet to rule out serious illnesses.