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Feline chronic pain management: the importance of a team approach for optimal outcomes

B. Monteiro,S. Taylor,Nathalie Dowgray,Kelly Eyre,Margaret E. Gruen

Published 2025 in Journal of feline medicine and surgery

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the importance of a team approach in feline chronic pain management for optimal outcomes. It discusses the role of different stakeholders and the importance of collaboration, communication and strategies for improved experiences for cats and caregivers on their journey. Chronic pain is maladaptive and negatively impacts on all domains of animal welfare. It can occur by itself, but most commonly is secondary to other chronic conditions. Ensuring that cats suffering from chronic pain are managed effectively requires a collaborative approach between all stakeholders, including client care staff, veterinarians, veterinary nurses or technicians, veterinary support staff and clinic management, as well as the cat and the caregiver. The journey starts with clinical signs displayed by the cat and perceived by the caregiver, and ends, for most cases, with end-of-life considerations. Diagnosis of chronic pain and design of a treatment plan result from a partnership between the caregiver and veterinary team. Management of chronic pain is focused on maintaining quality of life while empowering caregivers to be part of the healthcare team, avoiding adverse effects from medication and balancing comorbidities. The journey for cats and their caregivers is influenced by numerous factors, including the clinical condition of the cat and the caregiver’s response to different burdens, but mostly by the care they receive from the clinic and veterinary teams involved in the process. Empathetic communication is paramount and helps to optimise the cat’s care while supporting caregivers. Plain language summary Feline chronic pain management: the importance of a team approach for optimal outcomes This article reviews the importance of a team approach in feline chronic pain management for optimal outcomes. It discusses the role of different stakeholders and the importance of collaboration, communication and strategies for improved experiences for cats and caregivers on their journey. Chronic pain is maladaptive and negatively impacts on all domains of animal welfare. It can occur by itself, but most commonly is secondary to other chronic conditions. Ensuring that cats suffering from chronic pain are managed effectively requires a collaborative approach between all stakeholders, including client care staff, veterinarians, veterinary nurses or technicians, veterinary support staff and clinic management, as well as the cat and the caregiver. The journey starts with clinical signs displayed by the cat that are observed by the caregivers. The diagnosis of chronic pain and the design of a treatment plan result from a partnership between the caregiver and the veterinary team. Management of chronic pain is focused on maintaining quality of life while empowering caregivers to be part of the healthcare team, avoiding adverse effects from medication and balancing comorbidities. The journey for cats and their caregivers is influenced by numerous factors, including the clinical condition of the cat and the caregiver’s response to different burdens, but mostly by the care they receive from the clinic and veterinary teams involved in the process. Empathetic communication is paramount and helps to optimise the cat’s care while supporting caregivers from the initial assessment until, for most cases, end-of-life decisions.

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