Dear Dr. John,
My cat is getting older, and I’ve seen that she just isn’t as nimble as she was once. She is pushing 15 and she or he can not bounce up on the kitchen counter or different locations like she used to. She is a bit obese, and I believe that she could have some arthritis. How would I do know if she is in any sort of ache? I need her to be comfy and content material and if she have been in any sort of discomfort, what may I give her for it? I’ve at all times been informed that animals tolerate ache higher than people. Is that so? L.P.
Dear L.P.,
Several completely different ache scale assessments have been developed for cats prior to now few years. But there are many indicators that one can search for to find out if a cat is painful in any approach. These embrace decreased appetites, lethargy, being withdrawn or hiding, decreased motion, decreased curiosity in play, and being extra vocal. One would possibly see any of those indicators or a mixture of them, however they may additionally signify different issues or diseases.
Some of the ache evaluation strategies for cats could be discovered on-line and these embrace the Feline Grimace Scale and the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale. These have been developed to assist veterinarians assess and deal with cats for ache, however pet house owners may study what to search for after which work in collaboration with their veterinarians to deal with the cat whether it is referred to as for.
You can at all times video your cat and share it together with your veterinarian. Pain in pets was by no means thought of significantly a number of many years in the past however in the present day it’s a part of each correct bodily examination and evaluation as to total well being. I’d seek the advice of together with your veterinarian to find out in case your cat actually does want any sort of ache treatment or dietary supplements to her weight loss plan. Weight loss might also be of assist to permit her to get round extra simply. I believe if she have been actually in ache, you’ll most likely understand it.
As for whether or not animals tolerate ache higher than people, subjectively I agree. People cry with merely a paper minimize whereas canines, cats, and different species take care of ache higher but it surely doesn’t imply that they need to should.
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He could be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”