Is it likely DCat is in pain?

[TreacherousPissFlap]

TreacherousCat is about 14 now (RSPCA job so not sure but this seems realistic)

9 years ago he fell off a fence and damaged his back leg very badly and was rebuilt at the vets. He spent many weeks confined to a large cage with titanium rods inserted etc. Eventually he was given his get out of jail free card and has lived a happy life, a bit creaky and definitely not correctly assembled in the back leg department but otherwise in good health.
He's always pined in the cattery and on occasions has groomed himself so his back is bare. He comes home, the hair grows back and all is well.
Recently it's not grown back and it's been suggested this is down to stress. Within the house he's a dream and is incredibly laid back, I really don't feel there's an environmental factor that would lead to this. So it's just come to me now that it could be pain and he's actually not "doing alright" as we thought he was 😢
Is this a likely scenario, could the excessive grooming be down to pain?

The problem with cats is you just don't know if they're in pain, as they hide it so well. What I would say is that if yours is doing something unusual and worrying you then a visit to the vet is the best thing. You'll be reassured knowing that you've got some answers. I haven't experienced overgooming in any of my cats. Maybe he needs a regular painkiller for his old injury - a touch of arthritis? I hope he's much better soon.

He is about the age they often get arthritic. I didn't notice with my old boy (nearly 18 now), as the decline was so gradual, then about 3 years ago he must have jumped and landed awkwardly as his back legs went, vet found quite severe arthritis and he's been on pain meds ever since (his back legs were back to his normal the next day). He's surprisingly spritely considering his age/state of his back knees). So I would definitely explore a trial of pain meds to see if it might be that.

Oh for heavens sake
Thank you for the replies but I realise that I missed out the crucial part - he's actually on Loxicom and has been for the past couple of years. He's on the highest dose possible for his weight. The vets say there's nothing else they can give him.
We were at the vets today for a meds check and she pulled his legs about a bit. When he wandered off she commented on how stiff he was "after I've been pulling you about". It was then it struck me that that is how he always is now.
My fear is what we've taken to be a natural slowing down due to age and inherent laziness might actually be pain despite his meds

Have you tried putting glucosamine in his food? My two elderly gentlemen have a tablet each crushed in their food every day, and it seems to have made a difference. I did it with my first set of cats, and it helped them...my Mum swears by it for her arthritis, and it might, along with the loxicom, help yours.

scary what tablets do you use? We will try anything but are aware that his creaky joints will likely be his downfall eventually

Seraquin Omega which are fish oil and glucosamine. I crush one up morning and night when they have their wet food and they get half each a time. The dose is higher initially and then you drop it down to one per day.

scaryteacher, I recently started taking the veggie version of glucosamine and it's working for me . I'm not arthritic but can get a bit achy from time to time.

Does anyone give theirs CBD? Am hearing a lot about it.