Analgesia and Anesthesia Information for Cats (Felis catus)
Pain Recognition
Cats in pain are generally silent but may howl or hiss when approached. Clinical signs of pain may include:
- tendency to hide
- still posture and may sit hunched in sternal recumbancy with reluctance to stretch out
- howl and show demented behavior with desperate attempts to escape
- ungroomed appearance, with a change in normal temperament
- dilation of pupils, with increased pulse rate and panting
- behavioral changes
Physiologic parameters
| Body temperature | 38.5° C |
| Heart rate | 110-140/min | Respiratory rate | 26/min |
| Tidal volume | 20 ml |
Morphine should be used with caution in cats. It causes extreme hyperexcitement if overdosed.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should generally not be used in cats. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, flunixin meglumine, and phenylbutazone are contraindicated. Aspirin is toxic to cats and must be dosed very carefully. Aspirin can cause bone marrow depression, anemia, gastric lesions, and death.
Ketamine at a dose of 44 mg/kg IM can produce mortality in some cats; 25 mg/kg IM is usually adequate for most individuals.
Analgesia and Anesthesia Dosages
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