Guidelines on Use of NSAIDs in Cats
Everyone recognises that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a very valuable class of drugs, crucial for providing pain relief in many situations. Until recently, NSAIDs had only been licensed for short-term use in cats, but with changing licensing indications and recommendations, these are now also increasingly used for long-term treatment of cats, for example in the management of osteoarthritis.
Unfortunately, in most cases where long-term use of pain relief in cats is required, there are concomitant problems with other diseases or other drugs that are being given.Because of concerns over therapy and the potential for adverse effects, often cats receive no treatment at all and as a result their quality of life can be severely compromised.
Knowing that many cats suffer unremitting and untreated chronic pain is a major welfare issue that cannot be ignored. For this reason, the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) set up an international expert panel to develop practical and rational guidelines on the long-term use of NSAIDs in cats. The aim was to provide guidelines that would empower clinicians, enabling them to make sensible and rational choices, and ensure much-needed therapy is not needlessly withheld from our patients.
The result of the deliberations of this panel is the publication of the ‘Consensus Guidelines on the Long-term use of NSAIDs in cats’, which was published in the July 2010 issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. These guidelines are the first joint ISFM and American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) consensus guidelines, and are an example of the joint work often undertaken by the two organisations - indeed JFMS is the official journal of both organisations.
Importantly, along with the veterinary information in the guidelines, the panel also developed a brief client-facing leaflet that can be given to owners when NSAIDs are prescribed for their cats – this leaflet provides simple, clear advice on why NSAIDs are used, why they are important, but also what simple precautions avoid adverse effects, with further advice on when to seek veterinary advice to reinforce the safety message.
Both of these publications are available to download by clicking here.
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
