Cats Are Masters at Hiding Pain

The FMPI is an easy online tool for measuring pain in cats

About the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI)

Cats cannot vocalize their discomfort, making it difficult to know the intensity of their pain. The FMPI not only helps measure the degree to which your cat is suffering from pain, the results can be printed and brought to your next vet visit.

Take the FMPI

The FMPI Helps...

Veterinary Professionals

Generate a more accurate picture of behaviors critical to diagnosing pain in cats, and to collect quantitative data on feline pain.

Pet Owners

Easily gather the specific information their vet needs to diagnose and treat pain in cats.

Cats

Reduce stressful vet visits by helping to identify previously missed or hard to spot symptoms of pain.

FAQ

Why is the FMPI tool important?

The Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index is the first and only clinically validated tool for measuring and diagnosing pain in cats. Since cats cannot vocalize their discomfort they cannot let us know how the quality or intensity of their pain. The FMPI was developed by the professionals at NC State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to help give a voice to the voiceless and reduce pain in cats all around the world.

 

When you complete your FMPI, be sure to click SUBMIT and not just download. These submitted results are collected by the researchers at NCSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and can be used as quantitative data in the research of pain in cats and the development of treatment methods for cats everywhere. When you use the FMPI, you are not just helping your cat, but cats all over the world.

How do I use the FMPI tool as a pet owner?

To use the FMPI simply visit painfreecats.org and register for a free account. Once you have an account, click “Start a New FMPI” in the top right corner of the page. To complete your FMPI, answer each listed question, submit the results, and then download a printable version to bring along on your next vet visit!

How does the FMPI help in my veterinary practice?

The FMPI was developed at the Comparative Pain Research and Education Centre at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine with the intention of producing a valid instrument for the assessment of pain, physical function, and quality of life in cats. As a vet, you will only be able to monitor a patient for a select amount of time, however using the FMPI allows for input on critical information from the human who knows your patient best, their owner.

What kind of questions should I expect?

The questions on the FMPI have been specifically designed by the professionals at NC State University because of their relevance in helping to identify and diagnose pain in cats, but that doesn’t mean they will be overly complicated or hard to answer. You will need to give some background information on your pet including their name, age, some medical history, breed, weight and any medications they are currently taking. The remaining questions are multiple choice and focus on mobility, attitude and energy. There are only 21 multiple choice questions after the initial background information, ensuring quick and easy completion.

Score The Pain, Treat The Pain.

Bring the FMPI along with you to your next vet visit to get an accurate diagnosis on the cause of pain in your cat and be sure to ask about the Assisi Loop®. The Assisi Loop is a non-pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory device that has been clinically proven to reduce pain in pets.