Pets bring so much joy to our lives, which is why it's so heartbreaking when the end of their lives approaches. One of the most difficult things a pet owner will face is caring for a beloved companion in the last stages of life, whether from illness or old age. Terminally ill pets require a great deal of care that can take both an emotional and financial toll. For those caring for pets with terminal illness, we're here with information and resources to help ease the difficulty for you and your pet.
When your dog or cat is diagnosed with a terminal disease, you'll have some tough decisions to make. It's natural to want to do everything in your power to prolong your companion's life, but you might run into financial limitations or other factors that limit how much you can help your pet. Facing your pet's prognosis can be fraught with emotion, including guilt, helplessness, anger, frustration, and anticipatory grief over the impending need to say goodbye. Here are some steps you can take to help you cope and provide the best possible care for your pet.
While the exact nature of symptoms will depend on your pet's particular illness, here are some things you and your pet might face as an illness progresses:
Depending on how advanced your pet's illness is, chances are he'll still have the capacity to enjoy life for some time following his prognosis. Take advantage of this time to create special memories and make the remainder of your pet's life as happy as possible. As much as he's able, take him to visit his favorite places and allow him to take part in his favorite activities. Let him enjoy his favorite foods as well, so long as it doesn't interfere with any food restrictions from his treatment.
Use this time to simply enjoy being with your pet, and take plenty of pictures and video to document the time. This is also a good time to collect any mementos you'd like to keep, such as a lock of fur or an imprint of his paw.
Young pets may need several visits in their first year for vaccinations. Adult pets generally benefit from annual check-ups, while senior or special-needs pets might require more frequent visits.
As your pet's illness progresses, it will become necessary to make some decisions about what's best for your pet. This can be difficult, but it helps to know your options.
One study publishing by the British Veterinary Association found that caring for terminally ill pets is almost as stressful as being a human caregiver. While the physical and emotional burden of dealing with a sick pet is hard enough on its own, it's often compounded by a feeling of being alone. Sadly, it can sometimes be difficult to find either sympathy from friends or family who don't understand the attachment you feel for your pet. Although you might feel like your pet should get all of your time and attention during this time, it's important to make self-care a priority, not only to help manage your stress but also so you'll be in better condition to care for your pet.
Above all, you need to know that you're not in it alone. Organizations, like Day by Day, provide online communities that can connect you with other pet parents going through the same thing, as well as with grief counseling and other resources, including financial aid to help you provide the best treatment for your pet. You can also contact the ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline at (877) GRIEF-10 for additional support.
Not many things are more painful than caring for terminally ill pets. The prospect of saying goodbye to your best friend is something nobody wants to face. But going into it armed with knowledge and a network of support will make it easier to cope so that you can focus on making the most of the time you have left with your beloved kitty or pup.
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.
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