Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Perioperative Pain Management

Adequate pain management before, during, and after surgery is a fundamental welfare requirement for cats undergoing veterinary procedures.

Key Facts

Pre-emptive analgesia before surgery reduces post-operative pain significantly
NSAIDs are effective for mild to moderate post-operative pain in cats
Opioids are appropriate for moderate to severe acute surgical pain
Multimodal analgesia combining different drug classes reduces individual drug doses and side effects
Pain assessment using validated scales enables objective management adjustment

Welfare Considerations

Inadequately managed surgical pain causes unnecessary suffering that delays recovery and increases stress responses. Modern multimodal pain management protocols can provide excellent analgesia for virtually any surgical procedure, making adequate pain control a non-negotiable welfare standard.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet about their pain management protocols before any surgical procedure
Follow post-operative analgesia instructions carefully and observe for pain signs at home
Seek additional pain management if your cat shows signs of discomfort after surgery