Answer: In acutely painful conditions the cat resents being moved (including being lifted) and will flinch, cry, or even attempt to bite or scratch when the painful area is handled. In many illnesses the cat does not experience any severe pain but nevertheless is obviously feeling unwell or uncomfortable.
The general signs of illness to which for are as follows:
1 General lack of interest in what is happening around it and in going outdoors- the cat appears depressed, dejected and listless.
2 Laying in its bed and sleeping much more then is usual.
3 Loss of appetite, with later loss of weight and possible increased shedding of hair.
4 Failure to groom itself, or to sharpen its claws.
There may also be other specific signs, often developing later in an illness:
1 Vomiting and/or diarrhea
2 Sneezing and/or coughing
3 Discharges from the eyes and/or nose.
4 Difficulty in eating e.g. drooping food from the mouth, gulping and drooling saliva.
5 Protrusion of the third eyelids (‘haws’)
6 Repeated licking, biting, rubbing or scratching, especially at a particular part of the body.
7 Lameness.
8 Remaining in an unusual posture for long periods.
9 Labored breathing.
10 Distension (i.e. swelling) of the abdomen.
Precisely what constitutes suffering is obviously open the individual interpretation, but an animal showing any of these signs must clearly be experiencing some discomfort. And the longer the signs persist then the more significant they become. It is worthwhile remembering, however, that it is normal for the female cat in heat to go off her food and to make calling noises suggestive of extreme pain, although in fact she is perfectly healthy.
