Vets Pledge To Identify Cats Suffering With Chronic Pain

A life stage chart illustrating when cats are most at risk of developing chronic pain Over the past 3 months, more than two thousand (2,125) UK vets have agreed to identify and treat cats suffering with chronic pain, as part of the national ‘Pledge Against Cat Pain’ initiative supported by feline charity International Cat Care (formerly the Feline Advisory Bureau).If every vet that has pledged to date identifies and treats at least 5 cats with chronic pain over the next few weeks, then we will achieve our goal of making a meaningful difference to the lives of 10,000 cats with chronic pain. As part of the Pledge, Boehringer Ingelheim is donating £5 to International Cat Care for every pledge card submitted by a vet practice to fund an international feline welfare project. Since its launch in February 2013, the campaign has helped generate discussion about chronic pain and available treatments between vets and owners, providing information for owners to assess the risk in their own pet and encourage them to book in a consultation. A growing number of vets recognise that chronic pain is extremely common, affecting around 500,000^[1],[2],[3] cats in the UK, but only six per cent currently receive treatment. The Pledge Against Cat Pain asks vets to commit to finding and treating a minimum of five cats, with a goal of treating at least 10,000 across the country in 2013. Sue Parslow, editor of Your Cat magazine, said: “We know that the issue of chronic pain and osteoarthritis is something that is worrying an increasing number of owners, which is why we have welcomed the Pledge Against Cat Pain. The subject of arthritis in cats is the number one health topic that owners visited on our website and within the top ten most searched terms overall.” Claire Bessant, CEO of the International Cat Care Charity said: “The Pledge Against Cat Pain provides a useful platform for vets to discuss the management of chronic pain with owners, offering information and useful tools. The campaign has got off to a fantastic start but we must not forget that there are still tens of thousands of undiagnosed cats still suffering in this country. We know from the campaign research that that the overwhelming majority of owners would want to discuss this with their vet, but need help in spotting the signs. To those that haven’t pledged, please join the 2,000 other vets and see if we can add to the number of cats living happy and pain free lives.” Vet practice staff wanting to join the Pledge should sign-up at www.pledgeagainstcatpain.co.uk for their free pledge pack and further information. On the website, vets can also access a free educational webinar about spotting the signs of chronic pain, designed to play in waiting rooms or to host online. Owners can also view the educational webinar online via the Your Cat website, www.yourcat.co.uk Supported by Boehringer Ingelheim, the Pledge Against Cat Pain receives expert support from a panel of cat medicine and behaviour specialists, including charity International Cat Care (formerly the Feline Advisory Bureau). For more information, please visit www.pledgeagainstcatpain.co.uk or www.facebook.com/spotcatpain. Hardie et al. Radiographic evidence of degenerative joint diseasein geriatric cats: 100 cases (1994-1997). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;220(5):628-632.PFMA – Pet Population Figures 2012 http://www.pfma.org.uk/overall/pet-population-figures-.htm (downloaded 01/08/2012).Murray JK et al. Survey of the characteristics of cats owned by households in the UK and factors affecting their neutered status. Veterinary Record 2009; 164: 137-141.

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