Post-op painkillers for my cat...unnecessary?

haribo862003

metacam is a pain relief and anti inflammatory, so it will stop the cats op area from swelling especially if she is running around every where rubbing it on things.

The food paddypaws was talking about is i'd food, which is a bland diet. It helps the animal from not being sick after a op and the anesthetic.

Croc_Mad

Nowadays vets use a different anesthetic which allows pets to come round sooner and has fewer risks. However this means the pets are up and about sooner. Metacam helps to keep them dopey for a few days so they don't get too active and do themselves damage. Whereas before they would be dopey from the anesthetic for longer, now they're not. There are fewer reactions, they can eat without being sick, etc. But they will feel a lot more. I know it's your choice but I wouldn't want my babies to be in any more pain than is necessary. The vet wouldn't include it in your bill otherwise.

Croc_Mad

aileth wrote: »

However, when our pup got neutered he really suffered. He seemed to be really sensitive to it all and we had to ring the vet to request pain relief. They said that it is uncommon, but yes they can be in pain or discomfort afterwards, and that if we wanted pain relief we'd have to pay for it.

That's awful! I wouldn't go back to that vet. When my dog was done he was on metacam for a few days but it was like nothing had happened, he was trying to bounce around as usual.

Shoshannah

nonnatus wrote: »

I'm a great believer in the "NO PAINKILLERS FOR ANIMALS" school of thought. They don't understand what has happened to them, they don't know how to take it easy etc, and the only thing stopping them from acting mentally and possibly doing damage is PAIN. The pain is the natural warning system and needs to be present.

I'm sorry, but I couldn't disagree more with that.

nonnatus

Ah, No of course if an animal has been badly injured in an accident and are also stressed and there is an open wound or a broken bone, OF COURSE they should be given painkillers. I'm not a monster!
However, following a routine procedure like a neuter, when the wound has been neatly closed I believe Pain is a helpful feeling. It alerts the animal to dangerous behaviour such as too much running and jumping around or nibbling at the stitches.

At no point would I want to inflict unnecessary suffering on an animal.