Long-Term pain in cats: How much do we know about this important welfare issue?

Practical relevanceLong-term pain in cats is an important welfare issue but is often overlooked and undertreated.AudienceAll practitioners are faced with cats that require analgesic intervention to improve their quality of life.Patient groupAny cat may potentially experience long-term pain and discomfort. Degenerative joint disease and diabetic-related pain is more common in middle-aged or older individuals, whereas persistent postsurgical pain can occur at any age and is seen in young cats following onychectomy.Evidence baseRobust evidence on long-term pain issues in cats – specifically, relating to prevalence, etiology, and treatment protocols and outcomes – is missing from the veterinary literature. The aim of this review is to summarise the current state of knowledge. In doing so, it takes a practical approach, highlighting the obvious, and some not so obvious, causes of long-term pain in cats; some aspects that warrant closer attention; our ability to recognize pain and monitor how this impacts on quality of life; and today's treatment options.