CAT HEALTH & MEDICINE

Stub your toe, bump your head or cut your thumb while peeling an apple, and youre apt to give out a yell that will clearly indicate youre in pain. And then you might spend the next hour or two discussing the incident, lamenting it and seeking the solace of those who are near and dear to you.

When it comes to dealing with pain, however, our cats arent like that. Eons of experience in the wild have taught cats to conceal any sort of physical disability as best as they can from potential enemies. A part of their natural survival instinct is to hide the fact that they have been injured or otherwise weakened, which could render them susceptible to attack by a predator.

In an effort to identify the most common signs of feline pain, a team of animal behaviorists in Great Britain conducted a year-long series of in-depth interviews with 19 veterinary experts. According to the researchers findings - published in February 2016 in the scientific journal PLoS ONE - the signs listed below are considered to be the most reliable pain indicators.

A modern concept used in recognizing and assessing acute pain in cats is the use of a facial pain expression scale, modeled after the neonatal facial scales which shows the changes in a babys facial expression from happy to painful. According to Alicia Karas, DVM, MS, DACVAA, pain medicine specialist and assistant professor at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, pain researchers designed similar scales for mice and rats.

Q My 17-year-old cat developed a lump in the underside of her neck in the past year, and it concerns me. About four years ago, she was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid, and I was instructed to give her 5 mg of methimazole twice a day.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a very common cause of illness in cats, especially older animals. Previous studies estimated that one in three cats are likely to develop kidney disease during their lifetime. A recent study in cats has shown the prevalence of CKD to be even higher than formerly believed, however - with 50 percent of cats of all ages, and up to 81 percent of cats aged 15 years and older, being afflicted.

Cancer. The word alone evokes high emotions when we hear its diagnosis, whether the disease involves a family member, friend or beloved pet. Our thoughts tend to run from astonishment to guilt and fear as we grapple to come to terms with it, and what to do next. Like humans, our pets are also living longer these days - and that fact alone contributes to the increasing likelihood of some of our cats one day developing cancer.

Cat behavior consultant Sally Williams and her husband, Scott, share their home with four male cats of varying ages: Jonesey, Marlin, Finnegan and Brodie. In 2015, Brodie began having sneezing spells, which could have been anything - but then the sneezing became persistent and tinged with blood. Cancer became an immediate concern. In June 2015, 12-year-old Brodie was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, nasal cancer, and treatment started in July. …

Bloodwork: How often is best? Q I have an eight-year-old cat who I rescued from a shelter as a kitten. I take Desmond to our local veterinarian once yearly for a health examination. During our last visit, the veterinarian recommended that we run bloodwork every year. Is this really necessary for my cat, who is overall healthy? If so, can you explain the advantages of looking at bloodwork every year? Edwina L. Stockgate …

Q Our 19-year-old cat Nellie had a very frightening seizure this morning. She was flipping out — she ended up lying on the...

Q I have a question about my 13-year-old female tabby, who I adopted when she was four weeks old. Molly twitches (thats the best way I can describe it) when she is lying next to me (while shes awake, not sleeping). I have asked our trusted regular veterinarian, but nothing has been revealed through physical examination. Should I be concerned? Diane Fritz …

Q My dear 16-year-old cat, whom I adopted from a local shelter 15 years ago, has mild to moderate gingivitis. I know it is very important to keep his gums healthy, but he has developed an intolerance to antibiotics, and I can no longer have his teeth professionally cleaned. Unfortunately, I find it impossible to brush his teeth myself. Is there any other way his teeth can be cleaned? Thank you for any information you…

A test for feline pancreatitis? Q In the December 2012 issue, Catnip published an article titled: Pancreatitis: Still a Mystery. Over the years, I have had four cats with pancreatitis, so Im quite experienced with this difficult disease. I feel that the article omitted a couple of important issues. There was no mention of nausea, and nausea is a huge problem for cats with pancreatitis. Additionally, there was no mention of the blood test that is specifically…