What is Neck and Back Pain?
If you are able to notice significant change in your cat's behavior that can indicate neck and back pain, then you should immediately take your pet to see a professional to gain an accurate diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan.
When your cat is experiencing any sort of discomfort along the spine, it is feeling neck or back pain. Neck and back pain ranges in intensity and is sometimes not easy to discern from other pain. For example, pain originating from the abdomen can sometimes be confused for pain in the back and vice versa. Since animals cannot clearly communicate their discomfort, it can be difficult to figure out exactly where the pain is and what may be causing it.
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Symptoms of Neck and Back Pain in Cats
Cats can appear outwardly indifferent when something is irritating them, so signs of pain are not always apparent. Also, pain in one area can be mistaken for pain in another part of the body. It's important to pay close attention to how your cat behaves in order to determine if it is suffering from neck and back pain. Here are a few telltale signs to watch out for:
- Stiffness in the neck
- Arched back
- Change in appetite
- Vocalization (e.g. crying out when touched)
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Weakness in limbs
- Change in posture/gait
- Spine deformities
- Inability or reluctance to turn head
- Bruises around spine
Causes of Neck and Back Pain in Cats
There are a few injuries, diseases, and other conditions that can cause neck and back pain. Common causes include:
- Trauma (e.g. bite wounds, spinal fractures)
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Organ disorders near the back causing referred pain (e.g. kidneys)
- Vertebral disk disorders
- Dislocations
- Cancer
- Inflammation/infection of the meninges (membranes that surround the spine and brain)
Diagnosis of Neck and Back Pain in Cats
To diagnosis the issue, your veterinarian will perform a complete examination as well as conduct a full medical history. If the cause isn't obvious, such as the case with an injury, then your vet will perform a variety of other diagnostic tests. To search for signs of infections as well as check on the state of vital organs, a Complete Blood Count (CBC), urinalysis, urine culture, and a biochemical profile will be taken.
Abdominal X-rays will show if there are any abnormalities in the organs, while spinal radiographs will check the spinal canal, vertebrae, and the disks. The latter is typically performed when your cat is under general anesthesia or heavy sedation. Other tests may include myelography, CT scan, or MRI to identify trauma or cancer and EMG to diagnose or rule out muscle disorders. If meningitis or inflammatory infectious diseases are suspected, your vet will recommend a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, which requires a spinal tap.
Treatment of Neck and Back Pain in Cats
The exact treatment plan to manage and correct your cat's neck and back pain will be determined both after discovering the root cause and determining the severity of the discomfort. In some cases, back and neck pain can be simple to treat. Other times, however, treatment can be difficult, and it may take some time to see results.
Medication
Both pain and anti-inflammatory medication is usually given to help manage and treat pain. If your vet has discovered an infection, the treatment will include a round of antibiotics. The risk of side effects and relapse, especially with antibiotics, is high, however. Because of this, you should always consult with your vet before administering any medication. If cancer has been detected, chemotherapy drugs may be administered.
Surgery
There are some situations in which your cat's neck and back pain will require far more invasive intervention, like a surgical procedure. Surgery goes hand-in-hand with medication as your cat will typically receive some medication to help cope with pain and prevent infection following the procedure. Operations are recommended if your cat is suffering from very difficult ailments. Conditions that usually require surgery are ones that deal with spinal injury, cancer, infections in the vertebrae and disks, and in the case of paralysis.
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Recovery of Neck and Back Pain in Cats
If your cat has undergone any procedure, or if therapy has been recommended, it is important to closely monitor your cat's activities. Try to keep movement to a minimum and only what is suggested by your vet. Never allow your cat to perform any exercise that has not been approved by a professional. The outlook for cats that suffer from neck and back pain vary with the nature of the underlying condition. Also, when giving medication, always continue it as long as the vet prescribes to prevent complications or recurrence or infection or other issues.
Neck and Back Pain Average Cost
From 547 quotes ranging from $300 - $4,000
Average Cost
$2,200
Top
Neck and Back Pain Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Maine Coon
Chewbacca
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain When Lifted
Sleepiness
Not As Active
Pain When Pet In Back Area
My cat Chewbacca hasn’t been acting himself lately. He normally is running and playing with our other cat and loves to be picked up and cuddled with but lately he has been laying around the house not doing much. He has to claw his way up to our bed now instead of just regular jumping like he use to. He’s been taking medication for pain but nothing seems to be getting better. Every time I try to pick him up he gets annoyed and when petting the lower area he starts meowing like he’s in pain
April 25, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I'm not sure what medications Chewbacca has been taking, or what testing has been done for him, but what you describe does not seem normal, I agree. He may need x-rays, and an examination by your veterinarian. Unfortunately, I cannot determine what might be going on with him without seeing him or more details. I hope that he is okay.
April 25, 2018
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Black and white cat
Oreo
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bad Balance, Loss Of Appetite
My cat has not been eating like she normally should be. She use to eat 2 times a day of a bowl of wet food and now she barely eats that or drinks much water. She has been hiding alot more now to. Dont know if it is cause we have 2 small kids and they scare her. She also when touched around her neck and head tightens her neck and pushes her head down like she doest like to be touched. Sometimes when touched to its like she goes numb and freezes up and shakes some. She also has not had good balance since all this has started. Have taken to the get 3 times and they not really sure what it is. She isn't peeing amd poopimg as much anymore either
April 22, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Oreo does sound like she may be having a problem, and it would be best for her to figure out what it is. If you have had her seen at your veterinarian 3 times, I'm not sure what treatment she has had or what testing, but she may need x-rays, or pain medication. It may be a good idea to have a second opinion, as I cannot see or examine her. I hope that she is okay.
April 22, 2018
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Ragdoll
Tallulah
12 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ataxia
My 12 year old cat started having issues jumping up on the bed - she uses her front legs and pulls her back legs up. Then she started being wobbly on her back legs and occasionally collapsing, especially on shiny surfaces. She has been to the vet 3 times and had blood tests (all fine) and an X-ray that also showed no problems with her bones. He put her on 5mg of pred and that seemed to work until we dropped the dose to 2.5mg and she went back to being wobbly. My vet doesn't agree at this point that we should get a CT scan or other scan because he says that there isn't really any cure for anything they might find and if it's a muscle problem then the steroids should fix her. What would you do? Should I get her a CT scan to see what's going on or is that just a waste of time and distressing for her...? She is eating, toileting and playing fine (in terms of being alert and swatting at toys). The vet agreed she was happy and not in any real pain. He also checked her for saddle thrombus and it's not that. He said her blood tests didn't show any signs of cancer but I know that they aren't always able to detect it. I'm just not sure what to do next...She is an indoor only cat and did not suffer any trauma that we know of.
March 20, 2018
1 Recommendations
The problem is that if a CT scan provides a diagnosis, would anything be able to be done? Whilst as a Veterinarian I prefer to get to the bottom of a diagnosis, we need to consider the cost of a procedure and whether or not it would change the quality of life of the patient. If there is an improvement with steroid therapy, continue with the original dose to allow Tallulah some mobility and monitor like that. A CT scan would be more of a way to diagnose the condition (if at all) than actually treat the underlying issue. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 20, 2018
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Im not sure
Elton
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
I'm not sure if my question went through but my cat Elton was playing with my other cat Mac.. Elton got up and had trouble lifting his head. I clearly saw it started as they played on the ground. Since then his head has been facing down. No moaning or crying.. Tried touching it ans he pulls away after a bit.
Feb. 11, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Since you saw the timing of when this happened and it seems to have been an injury that happened while they were playing, it would be a good idea to have him seen by your veterinarian today. He may have had a muscle strain or sprain, or injured his neck or back in the rough housing, and may benefit from pain medication or muscle relaxants. Many OTC pain medications are toxic to cats, and your veterinarian will be able to examine Elton and make sure that he is okay, as well as prescribe any medications that might help. I hope that he is okay.
Feb. 11, 2018
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Neck and Back Pain Average Cost
From 547 quotes ranging from $300 - $4,000
Average Cost
$2,200
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
