Feline Surgical Pain
This category helps you plan, compare, and source treatments for Feline Surgical Pain across preoperative, intraoperative, and recovery phases, combining evidence-based strategies and practical dosage forms, with US delivery from Canada. You can browse NSAIDs, opioid and non-opioid adjuncts, and local techniques by brand, dosage form, and strength, including oral suspensions, injectable solutions, tablets, and select transdermal preparations suited to preemptive analgesia in cats. Stock can vary by supplier and lot; items may display limited quantities or temporary backorders, so expect periodic changes while you compare formulations, volumes, and pack sizes appropriate for common soft tissue and orthopedic feline procedures.Feline Surgical PainSurgical pain in cats arises from tissue injury, inflammation, and central sensitization. Effective control uses anti-inflammatory drugs, opioid analgesics, and adjunctive agents that target different pain pathways. Local and regional techniques can reduce anesthetic requirements and improve early mobility. Clear plans reduce secondary stress responses, nausea, and appetite suppression during recovery.Preemptive strategies begin before incision and continue through extubation and discharge. Multimodal analgesia in cats layers mechanisms to lower doses and minimize adverse effects. Careful assessment considers renal and hepatic risk, hydration status, and concurrent medications. Teams should document intraoperative dosing, reversal plans, and at-home instructions to maintain consistent analgesic coverage.What’s in This CategoryThis section highlights NSAIDs appropriate to short-term cat use, plus injectable and oral options used during anesthesia and recovery. For induction or immediate recovery windows, clinicians may choose a robenacoxib injection or a meloxicam injection alongside balanced anesthesia. These agents often anchor feline perioperative analgesia while adjuncts manage breakthrough discomfort. Agents like buprenorphine, ketamine microdoses, or lidocaine-based regional blocks can complement systemic therapy when appropriate.For home care, oral choices include meloxicam suspension, transmucosal buprenorphine, and sometimes gabapentin for neuropathic features. Some practices also use transdermal preparations for select cases where oral dosing is difficult. Content focuses on dosage forms, labeled indications, common strengths, and pack sizes. You can compare how each form fits clinic protocols, patient temperament, and anticipated discharge timing.How to ChooseSelection starts with procedure type, baseline health, and hydration status. Short procedures with mild tissue trauma may need limited NSAID exposure and minimal take-home dosing. Orthopedic work or dental extractions often require layered coverage and careful discharge planning. When appropriate, feline multimodal analgesia combines an NSAID, an opioid, and non-opioid adjuncts to reduce individual drug burdens.Match the formulation to timing and handling needs. Injectable NSAIDs fit intraoperative use; oral suspensions allow precise at-home dosing. Adjust plans for renal compromise, dehydration risk, or gastrointestinal history. Review route limitations, maximum duration, and recheck timing to prevent cumulative adverse effects.Common mistake: skipping baseline bloodwork before perioperative NSAIDs in senior cats.Common mistake: underdosing or overdosing due to misread oral suspension concentrations.Common mistake: combining multiple NSAIDs or adding corticosteroids without a washout.Popular OptionsOnsior for cats provides the COX-2 selective agent robenacoxib in a tablet format. Onsior Tablets for Cats suit short courses around soft tissue procedures. Many practices use a single perioperative dose and a brief discharge plan. Monitor appetite, hydration, and elimination during the first two days at home.For cases needing measured oral dosing at home, oral meloxicam suspension supports short-duration use under strict dosing guidance. It allows fine-tuned, weight-based dosing when return visits are not immediate. Confirm concentration, syringe markings, and patient weight to avoid dosing errors. Document a clear stop date and recheck plan.Related Conditions & UsesProtocols differ across soft tissue surgery, dentistry, and fracture repair, but the goal remains reliable cat postoperative pain relief with minimal adverse events. Soft tissue cases often need brief NSAID coverage and a short opioid course. Orthopedic cases may require longer adjunctive support, crate rest, and rechecks. Review related Medical Conditions pages to align agents with comorbid disease and risk levels.Dog-labeled NSAIDs appear in comparative discussions but are not interchangeable for cats. For context, see Rimadyl for Dogs and additional carprofen information. Orthopedic topics sometimes reference firocoxib tablets and deracoxib chewables for canine cases. For broader safety context, review this neutral anti-inflammatory guidance for dogs before comparing cross-species concepts.Authoritative SourcesThe following resources provide neutral class information, indications, and safety principles.Consensus guidance from leading organizations appears in the AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.Regulatory safety context for veterinary NSAIDs is outlined by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine.Product-specific details for robenacoxib are available on the Zoetis Onsior page.Medical disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a prescription for cat surgery pain medicines?
Yes, most postoperative pain medicines for cats require a valid prescription. NSAIDs, opioids, and many adjuncts are prescription-only and must match a veterinarian’s plan. Your clinic determines eligibility based on history, exam, and lab results. You can browse forms and strengths here, then coordinate the exact choice with your prescriber. Regulations and dispensing rules can differ by jurisdiction and product class.
Which forms are easiest for cats after surgery?
Oral suspensions and small tablets are common choices for home dosing. Transmucosal buprenorphine helps when swallowing is difficult. Injectable doses are typically clinic-administered during anesthesia or recovery. You can compare concentrations and supplied syringes on product pages. Choose a form that matches handling tolerance, hydration status, and the expected duration of at-home care.
How long should NSAIDs be used after feline surgery?
Duration depends on procedure type and individual risk factors. Many soft tissue cases need a brief course, while orthopedic repairs may require longer adjunctive support. A veterinarian will set the schedule and recheck timing. You can review labeled durations on product monographs before discussing adjustments. Never combine multiple NSAIDs or add steroids without medical guidance.
Can I switch between pain medicines if my cat refuses one?
Sometimes, switching formulations is possible, but only under veterinary direction. Alternatives include a different oral concentration, a liquid suspension, or a transmucosal opioid. Your clinician may also adjust dosing frequency or add an adjunctive agent. You can review similar options by class to prepare questions. Avoid combining medications or altering doses without explicit instructions.
Are dog pain medications suitable for cats after surgery?
No, most dog-labeled NSAIDs are not appropriate for cats. Feline metabolism and labeled indications differ, and safety margins are narrower. A veterinarian can advise if a feline-specific option or a carefully supervised alternative fits the plan. You can compare products by species labeling on each page. Always follow the exact prescription and stop dates set by your clinic.
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