How to Care for Terminally Ill Pets

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.

Pets with Terminal Illness

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.

• Talk to your veterinarian. It's a good idea to take notes, or to take a friend or family member along who can help you remember what the vet tells you, says Day by Day Pet Caregiver Support. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the diagnosis, including the diagnostic methods used, as well as the prognosis and treatment options. Ask whether treatment must begin immediately, or whether you have time to consider your options.
• Research your pet's illness. Educating yourself will not only help you communicate more effectively with your vet and arm you with helpful information, but it may also lead to care ideas, treatment options, or support groups.
• Be realistic. Consider how much you can actually afford to spend on your pet's care, as well as whether your job or other obligations will allow you to become a full-time nurse to your sick pet. Discuss any limitations with your vet and family.
• Allow yourself to grieve. While you might feel guilty about grieving for your pet while they're still with you, denying or suppressing your feelings won't do you or your fur baby any favors. Process your emotions in a healthy way by first being honest about them, and by journaling about them or talking them out with someone who will understand. Make sure to take pictures and video memories to reflect on. Then you'll be in a better mental and emotional place to focus on meeting your pet's needs.
• Don't rush to make decisions. Learning about your pet's prognosis can be overwhelming. Allowing yourself time to process the diagnosis and explore all of your options before making any decisions will not only help ensure you do what's best for your pet, but also help to alleviate any guilt you might struggle with later on. And it's important to remember that a prognosis is not an expiration date. Pets often have a way of surprising us by not only surviving, but also enjoying a high quality of life far beyond either the vet's or your own expectations.

What to Expect from Terminally Ill Pets

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:

• Side effects. As you explore treatment options, be sure to discuss any potential side effects with your vet. While side effects are often mild or even non-existent, some can interfere with your pet's quality of life or be damaging to other aspects of his health. Whether or not to medicate your pet can be a dilemma, so be sure to explore all available options.
• Incontinence. As your pet weakens, he may lose the ability to control his bladder. Loss of mobility might also make it difficult to keep up his regular bathroom habits. Talk to your vet about how best to help your pet. You may be able to use a sling or diapers specially made for dogs or cats.
• Appetite loss. Your pet may lose interest in his food. While this could be a sign that he's in pain or nearing the end of his journey, it's important not to jump to conclusions. It could simply be that the food you're giving him no longer tastes good, or he could be dealing with gastrointestinal distress. Talk to your vet if your pet stops eating, as this may be a temporary, fixable condition.
• Pain. While your pet might whimper or cry to let you know he's in pain, this isn't always the case, says the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Cats, especially, tend to hide their pain. Signs of pain include excessive panting, gasping, hiding, showing a reluctance to move, and being picky about food. If your pet is showing signs of pain, talk to your vet about pain management. Never give your pet over-the-counter pain medications without specific instructions from your vet to do so, as this could harm him or worsen his condition.
• Discomfort. Reduced mobility can also cause soreness and discomfort, as well as pressure sores, says the ASPCA. You can help alleviate discomfort by providing your pet with plenty of soft, cushy bedding. A heated bed can provide added comfort and help to ease soreness.

Making the Most of the Time with Your Pet

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.