Dealing With Ill Pets

Controlling your animal’s pain helps speed his or her healing and recovery.  Yes, they can have pain just like we do!  If your pet needs to be kept from moving around after surgery, use a crate or carrier.  It is a good idea to get pain medication for your pet.  There are many pain medications that your vet can recommend; don’t hesitate to make sure that your pet is comfortable.

Orthopedic surgeries tend to be the most painful of all, and most surgeons will be able to guide you in selecting a proper course of pain management for your pet. And you should consider giving your pet NSAIDs after a period of narcotics from the vet.  Giving pain medication before and after surgery minimizes the adverse effects of pain for your pet’s recovery. Epidurals are often used and are effective for speeding their recovery time.

Even if the pet is on NSAID or other drug therapy, don't abandon the alternatives, both holistic and conventional, for preventative care.  Acupuncture can help substantially, along with medication. If a veterinarian caring for your pets does not appear share the same beliefs on the importance of pain management, you should seek another veterinarian.   

When our pets become old or sick, we worry whether we should euthanize our beloved animals.  It’s a tough situation.  Are we making the right decision? Is it the best thing to do for your pet?  All these things go through our minds.

Are there good indications on whether it is time to let our pets go? Can he/she still do the same things he did before he got ill?  If you can answer this question, then you can decide if your pet’s quality of life is changing.  Keep your pet comfortable and happy.  If you can't, then you should think about letting him/her go.

It is not silly to cry, and feeling grief over your pet is completely normal.  Your pet is very much a part of your family.  They are always there for you, they go on vacations with your family, and is usually in your holiday photo card.  Grieving takes time.  Pets are like family members; they grow up with us, and give us love and joy.  

Illness and death of our pets can be very stressful.  What do we do when an animal is dying and there is nothing that can be done to help them?  We are responsible for our pet through sickness and death.  

Mourning the death of our pet is the same as mourning the death of a family member – it still hurts.  You will go through a lot of feelings like denial, isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.