The fda hasn t approved any nsaids for long term pain management but certain ones are cleared for short term use in cats.
Cat arthritis pain relief medication.
This type of medication is often given every day.
This means that your cat will need to regularly attend a clinic.
Meloxicam is currently the only licensed pain relief medication for long term use in cats.
Opioids will likely need to be injected.
Veterinarians often prescribe a variety of medications to treat arthritis but these often aren t well tolerated by cats.
These include nonsteroidal anti inflammatory medications acetaminophen and aspirin as well as anti inflammatory medications like corticosteroids.
Non steroidal anti inflammatories help reduce pain and inflammation.
2 nsaids are highly effective at controlling pain and inflammation of joints.
If your cat s arthritis pain becomes chronic your vet may prescribe opioids.
Side effects of nsaids include vomiting diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Although fairly uncommon in felines arthritis tends to affect the elbow joint when it does strike but many joints can be afflicted.
For more severe pain opioids might be prescribed such as tramadol ultram conzip oxycodone oxycontin roxicodone others or hydrocodone hysingla zohydro er.
Options they may recommend include.
Several classes and types of prescription medications can ease a cat s pain.
Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs nsaids when used carefully neuromodulating drugs like gabapentin.
Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs nsaids are sometimes prescribed for feline arthritis which is similar to how the condition is treated in humans.
Nsaids are usually the first line of defense.
Cats are extremely sensitive to the side effects of nsaids.
Your vet will help you to decide on the best treatment for your cat.
Arthritis also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease causes pain and inflammation in a cat s joints.
These medications help reduce pain but have no effect on inflammation.
Veterinarians will occasionally prescribe the forms of nsaids that are formulated for people such as aspirin and ibuprofen for specific conditions but you should never give them to your cat for pain relief without veterinary guidance.
It should always be given with or after food just as you shouldn t take aspirin on an empty stomach because this risks gastric ulceration.
An over the counter option includes acetaminophen tylenol others.
It comes in a specific cat formula that is easy to give.
