My country vet doesn't give me post-op pain meds for my kitties (so they don't get active too soon after surgery, is the logic) but she is open to suggestions so I would like to consider trying "pain patches" for the few remaining kitties that I plan to get s/n. Has anyone here tried them?
Are you thinking of using OTC pain patches made for humans? I searched the site for any mention of their use but couldn't find any reports of members using them. That doesn't mean that some haven't tried it - hopefully, if anyone has, they'll chime in with their experience.
We actually warn against using OTC painkillers in general, because they can be toxic to cats. The following article explains why their use is so risky.
[article="30171"]Are Otc Medications Safe For Your Cat [/article]
This is where you definitely need to get approval from your vet first. I suspect that since she's relying on the pain to keep newly spayed kitties relatively inactive, she's not going to approve of a pain patch to reduce pain, though. At that point, she might as well give you a painkiller meant for cats.
I suggest you call your vet and ask her what she thinks about the use of pain patches. I'm very curious as to what she means when she says she'll work with you. That does imply that there is something for pain relief that she will consider. I hope you'll let us know her response.
Do you mean fentanyl patches? It seems like overkill for a routine spay and especially for a neuter, but I'm sure it would be effective. If your vet is willing to prescribe them. I wouldn't use any kind of OTC patch.
You could ask your vet about Buprenorphine. 2 or 3 doses ought to be enough.
When I started being cat crazy 25 years ago my vet did not prescribe pain medication at all for spay or neuter. The cats seemed to do ok without it. I didn't notice any problems.
My vet uses a pain shot that lasts for 3 days after surgery. I get the pain medication for home but I have never used it (I would for obvious pain). I agree with your vet that feeling it lets them know something happened and prevent injuries. It's not like we tell them what happened and that they need to be careful. Personally I think it is a necessary evil.