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- Dec 10, 2019
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Hello,
I'm wondering if anyone here might have any insights based on their own cats experiences with facial pain which could help, sorry if this is a bit long.
In July this year my cat started pawing occasionally at the front of her mouth, usually after meals, and also making a sort of licking/chomping noise with her mouth, as if she is chewing at something or trying to get out something stuck in her teeth.
We took her to the vets who anesthetised her and carried out a thorough dental check and found nothing. They suggested it may just resolve on its own and to leave for a little while. After this procedure her symptoms were noticeably worse, to the point where she temporarily stopped eating of her own accord - she would take pieces of food from our hands but not pick it up from the bowl. The vet gave her Meloxaid for pain relief which didn't seem to make any difference.
We were then referred to a Cat Dentist as a specialist animal hospital, who carried out another procedure under anaesthetic. He also found nothing - but did remove 2 teeth which he thought had the potential to cause issues one day.
This was 6 weeks ago and again her symptoms seem to have increased since then - more pawing and licking, now not only after meals but at other times too. I should add here that other than these times when something is obviously bothering her that she does not appear to be in any pain and her behaviour is otherwise totally normal and she seems happy in herself. She is also eating normally.
2w weeks ago she was prescribed Gabapentin as a way to treat Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS) which is basically to treat neuropathic pain (in other words - mystery pain!) It has had no effect and I'm now waiting for a call back from the vets to discuss other possible options.
We are really starting to despair slightly about this as she is obviously being really bothered by it, but they can't find anything wrong and no medication seems to be making any difference. If anyone has any other suggestions or similar experiences I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts and stories you can share.
She is approx. 11 years old but a rescue so this was estimated by the vets.
Thanks so much.
I'm wondering if anyone here might have any insights based on their own cats experiences with facial pain which could help, sorry if this is a bit long.
In July this year my cat started pawing occasionally at the front of her mouth, usually after meals, and also making a sort of licking/chomping noise with her mouth, as if she is chewing at something or trying to get out something stuck in her teeth.
We took her to the vets who anesthetised her and carried out a thorough dental check and found nothing. They suggested it may just resolve on its own and to leave for a little while. After this procedure her symptoms were noticeably worse, to the point where she temporarily stopped eating of her own accord - she would take pieces of food from our hands but not pick it up from the bowl. The vet gave her Meloxaid for pain relief which didn't seem to make any difference.
We were then referred to a Cat Dentist as a specialist animal hospital, who carried out another procedure under anaesthetic. He also found nothing - but did remove 2 teeth which he thought had the potential to cause issues one day.
This was 6 weeks ago and again her symptoms seem to have increased since then - more pawing and licking, now not only after meals but at other times too. I should add here that other than these times when something is obviously bothering her that she does not appear to be in any pain and her behaviour is otherwise totally normal and she seems happy in herself. She is also eating normally.
2w weeks ago she was prescribed Gabapentin as a way to treat Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS) which is basically to treat neuropathic pain (in other words - mystery pain!) It has had no effect and I'm now waiting for a call back from the vets to discuss other possible options.
We are really starting to despair slightly about this as she is obviously being really bothered by it, but they can't find anything wrong and no medication seems to be making any difference. If anyone has any other suggestions or similar experiences I'd really appreciate any advice or thoughts and stories you can share.
She is approx. 11 years old but a rescue so this was estimated by the vets.
Thanks so much.