This is one of the most common questions asked by pet owners. Today, pain is considered the fifth vital sign in human patients. Because animals feel and anticipate pain by mechanisms similar to those in humans, this emphasis on pain should also be applied to our feline friends and be a routine part of veterinary practice. In human patients, pain assessment and its relief are through verbal communication with the patient. This is a means unavailable to veterinary patients.
An astute owner will often notice that his or her cat is not “acting” right or there has been an abrupt “change in behavior.” Pain manifestation in cats is often very subtle and thus is difficult for an owner to determine. Perhaps your male cat does not want to move out of a “hunched” position or hides most of the day and refuses to eat the food provided. Is he just being “finicky” or is he “mad” at you? Probably not, he may have a painful bladder infection (cystitis) or a bladder stone preventing him from urinating normally. He may have severely abscessed teeth that do not allow him to eat.
Other nonspecific clues to early painful conditions may include reduced “playtime” antics, poor grooming, reduced appetite, and refusal to use the litter box (especially if climbing or descending stairs is involved.) Pain following minor or major surgeries should be anticipated by your Veterinarian and addressed at that time. There are safe pain medications that may be prescribed by your Veterinarian after an exam and medical assessment of your pet’s condition.
The well-informed owner should always ask the question, “Is my cat or will my cat be in pain?” My answer will always be, “not if I have anything to say about it!”