The pain medication that is given after surgery is not given in place of anesthesia for surgery. It is given to make recovery easier for your pet.
All pain-relieving drugs are called analgesics. It’s not just a matter of making your pet more comfortable – controlling pain actually allows your pet to get well more quickly, and this is why post-surgery pain medications are given to your pet, either via injection or take-home medication that is started after surgery. Whenever it is possible, it is better to give pain-controlling medications on time rather than waiting until the pain becomes severe. Give all pain medications as prescribed by the veterinarian.
Signs of pain are more subtle and hard to notice in cats than in dogs. The most common sign of pain in cats is a reluctance to move. Some will hiss or growl when a painful site is touched. Others just become unresponsive to your affection. There are cats that become aggressive and belligerent when they are in pain and most will eat less. Many will groom more. Some carry their ears lower and others just meow pathetically.
In any pet, behavioral change, trembling, hiding, restlessness panting, salivation, licking of the lips , dilation of the eyes , aggressiveness, increased heart rate, loss of appetite, a tucked up tummy, lameness and limping or self-mutilation can all be signs of pain.
The intimate bond between a pet and its master mean that you are the most likely person to notice signs of pain. It’s you, not your veterinarian, who needs to be your pet’s advocate when your pet is receiving veterinary care. And its you who has to decide when medications are working and when they are not. If you feel your pet needs something in addition to what was originally prescribed please call the clinic where the surgery was performed to speak with a technician or the veterinarian.
