Domesticated cats usually do not receive adequate perioperative analgesia, due to the difficulty in recognizing pain in this species, as their pain-associated behavior can be confused with fear or stress.
A research study sought to evaluate the intra- and postoperative analgesic efficacy of the opioids methadone, morphine and tramadol in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Postanesthetic hyperthermia occurred with all opioids studied and was more frequent in the tramadol group.
Interestingly, tramadol produced intra- and postoperative analgesia similar to both methadone and morphine in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy . . . significant cardiovascular or respiratory effects contraindicating the use of these drugs were not found.”
Source: International Society of Feline Medicine, Sage Journals, March 28, 2024. Link.