Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.
Written by St. Augustine “the greatest evil is physical pain.” Although he was not a trained physician, truer words about the disease were hard to come by. Medically, pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with real or perceived tissue damage. This definition is fairly accepted across Europe, the UK, and the US by the various professional organizations that discuss the issue.
Cat disease. This is a pretty serious topic, but near and dear to my heart, so I made two parts to give it proper attention. As a veterinarian, one of the biggest disservices we do to patients is falling short when it comes to disease management in cats.
Perception Of Pain
Fortunately, since I started working in veterinary medicine, the perception of disease in cats has changed light years. From the understanding that some surgical procedures are painless for young kittens (eg spays, castrates), to a more methodical approach to evaluating painful cats (which we will discuss shortly period) we have thought as a profession how often cats actually show pain.
And now with this appreciation, we can actively work to predict, and therefore prevent, disease from occurring. However, that also depends on the team’s approach, which includes not only the cat, but their owner. And sometimes, cat patients are so good at hiding pain, one side needs to convince the other. This is the guide to doing it. Recognizing cat pain, advocating for it, what to do at the vet appointment when you suspect it, and common misconceptions debunked.
So to begin, how do we recognize disease in cats, in their most common and frequent environment: The home? If I can help you figure out what a sick cat looks like in their home environment, that’s half the battle. Unfortunately, when we adopt cats, they don’t come with furry owners manuals telling us how to care for them. I mean, to be fair, it’s hard enough to tell the gender of a kitten at home (yes, me too, grew up with a Penelope who then became a Mr. Kitten after her first trip to the vet…)
So, how do we, as owners, recognize illness in our feline friends?
Common Types of Pain In Cats
1. Arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease
It is likely to be multifactorial, as in humans, and may have various origins. Usually seen in older cats, or breeds with a genetic disposition, it can be very subtle to detect.
2. Toothache/ mouth
Cavities, tooth abscesses, and oral cancer are just a few of the causes of cat mouth pain. One of my own adopted cats many years ago, came across to me as a grumpy, quiet, keep to himself type of person. Having adopted her as a senior cat, I thought that was her personality. However, when I got him into dentistry, and found a fractured incisor that I removed, his personality completely changed. He became chatty, friendly, always around and interacting with the house-a completely different cat!
3. Gastrointestinal issues
These range from diarrhea, to inflammatory bowel disease, in addition to pancreatitis, are commonly seen in owned cats. All of them can cause varying degrees of pain in feline patients.
4. Post an op
Spays, neuters and dental care can be very painful for healthy cats, as can any surgery. Because we are often told that cats will be “quiet” for a day or two after surgery, we sometimes mistake pain masquerading as surgical recovery or anesthetic wearing off.
Recognizing Disease In Domestic Cats
Professionals use proven techniques to score pain in feline patients, one of the more common ones I’ve encountered is the White Grimace Scale. To be fair, this technique is not limited to professionals, so let’s see how you can apply it at home.
Below are some of the main points of the Feline Grimace Scale, summarized, along with additional comments. An expert panel found 25 or more potential signs indicate a cat is sick, but we’re here to boil it down to the more commonly observed ones at home.
And don’t forget that as an owner, you know your cat better than anyone else! Your impressions, thoughts, concerns and observations are valid, as much if not more than what I see as a vet. Seriously, one of my favorite things about an appointment is when someone comes in with a spreadsheet of how much their cat drank each day for the past week, along with daily weights, and notes about on their cat’s appetite along the way- especially if we are trying to establish the cause of illness or reactions to medications. So, don’t be afraid to bring your concerns forward.
And, I’ll tell you a pro-secret: many cats, as soon as they arrive at the clinic, from the adrenaline of the trip and being in a new place, perk up. Sometimes they perk up to the point of being normal. So they stop painting, they investigate, they act normal. Or they hide their pain, they don’t want to look weak in a novel place with barking dogs and strange people. Never be afraid to voice your concerns about habits at home, even if they don’t make it to the clinic!
How to Identify Disease in Cats at Home
Body position
The sprawl or croissant are more normal cat sleeping positions, for many cats. When not sleeping, many cats will cook, snuggled comfortably under their bodies, with their heads up. If your cat is suddenly lying in body positions that are not normal for them, this is often a sign that something is wrong. The temperature may be hotter or colder than normal, your cat may be nauseous, or your cat may be sick.
Eyes
We all know about slow blink in cats. But persistent eye blinking can be a sign that your cat is in pain. So can slanted, or narrow eyes.
Ears
The ears are usually turned up, when not listening to different sounds, or otherwise stimulated. If the cat’s ears are pulled to the side, or back, these may be indications that something is wrong.
Beards
Whiskers are usually forward and relaxed, although when exploring or playing, their position may vary.
snout
Beards are usually imitated. When there is tension, it can indicate that there may be illness or other issues.
Head position
A head that is up is healthy, but when it starts to drop, it can be an early indication that something is wrong.
Movement
A limping cat is a painful cat. I have worked with many cats in clinics, and if they are limping, I consider it a sign of illness. Would you be weak, if you were to choose? Cats, like people, experience musculoskeletal pain, such as arthritis. If they are limp after getting up in the morning, or stop jumping… that is a strong indication that they may be in pain. Similarly, a cat that suddenly or gradually stops jumping on chairs, beds, or tables, is a cat that may be sick. Getting older doesn’t mean a cat has to stop doing these things, which are normal cat behaviors!
Response to touch
When touched, do they move, flash? Don’t they want you to touch a surgical site, by keeping an eye on it, or caressing you, instead, to prevent your hand from reaching the area? Do they smile in a way they don’t normally do? Run away? Or do they hide so you can’t even catch them, when they’re usually out of the house?
Changes in their patterns
Cats are creatures of a schedule. Pancake, for example, wakes up at 4:00 AM to wait for the automatic feeder, then goes back to bed before 5:30, gets up again at 8:00 AM and moves to the couch for the next 9 hours. Then he wakes up just in time for people to get home from work, offers evening meals, and then falls asleep on the sofa again, until bedtime. This schedule is literally set in stone. Tiller varies it a bit with some time spent in his cardboard box and looking out the window, but it’s equally solid.
What next?
So, now that we know how to start recognizing pain, next week we’ll look at some of the misconceptions about cats being in pain (eg did you know that purring doesn’t always mean the cat is happy? That this could be a major indicator that your cat is sick, or in pain?) There are many misconceptions to explore, in addition to looking at different treatment options for painful cats, and tips for you. We’ll also look at what specific action steps you can take, if you think your cat might be sick, to best help them get treatment.
