How can I be sure painkillers are working

[KTyoupigeon]

My 14yo male tabby (Charlie) has been a tripod cat for 9 years - back leg removed after accident. He has yearly checkups to keep an eye on his only back leg and up until early this year he has been absolutely fine.

I noticed he was walking very differently than his normal (obviously he limps and hops) and was slightly dragging his back leg.

Been to vets - had xrays which are showing slight/mild arthritis so vet now saying ligament damage/injury. His knee has fluid on and when examined by vet he showed obvious pain (I wasn’t allowed in with him) sample taken and no infection present.

So our options are very limited and vet has advised palliative care of painkillers (loxicom once a day and gabepentine twice a day.

He is moving better after being on the painkillers for the last two weeks but my concern is he is still in pain.

I don’t want to keep him going on painkillers if he is still in pain but also don’t want to euthanise him if he is coping.

Sorry for long post and ramble - just wish they could talk

Aw, I’m afraid I can’t help but interested because I’m adopting a 10 week old tripod next week and I’ve heard they can be prone to arthritis. Hope he’s feeling better soon, he’s gorgeous.

Is he active and interactive with you? Cats who are in pain tend to hide away and avoid interaction.
Is he grooming? Cats in pain tend to not groom over the painful area - signs of lack of grooming are tufts of sticking up hair.
Those are the big signs I tell clients to look for.

I think you just have to look for normal behaviour. If he stops that, or does other things, that would concern me.

Thank you for replies - he is interacting with us - he is the most cuddly cat I’ve ever had. Also still grooming. I noticed this morning he started to run up the road when I called him but then stopped and slowed to a walk - his walking is more normal than before pain killers so I’m taking this as a good sign

@Lonecatwithkitten. The knee area was shaved as they took a fluid sample but he is grooming around the shaved area. He let me pick him up earlier and i tend to support his back leg anyway when I lift him

Long term loxicom can put strain on an elderly cats kidneys. Has he had bloods done to see how well his kidneys are functioning?

@Ludo19 thank you for mentioning this - he has only been on loxicom for 2 weeks so far - I will mention it to vet when we have a phone call towards the end of this week.