The human-animal bond is strong, and euthanasia is no longer considered the only option when a pet experiences a disability. Specially abled pets require additional attention, but with proper care, they can live long, happy lives. Learn how to provide the right care for your specially abled pet by reading our Memorial Villages Animal Hospital team’s guidelines. 

Specially abled pets

Disabilities can affect pets for several reasons, including birth defects, injuries, disease, and age-related issues. Common pet disabilities include:

  • Paralysis — Most commonly, pets lose hind limb mobility, but in some cases, all four limbs are affected. Conditions that lead to pets’ paralysis include intervertebral disc disease, degenerative myelopathy, traumatic spinal injury, brain tumors, and polymyositis. 
  • Blindness — Pets can lose their vision for numerous reasons such as cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, and sudden-onset retinal degeneration.
  • Deafness — Pets can be born deaf, or experience health complications that cause them to lose their hearing. Congenital hearing loss is most commonly associated with certain coat colors, such as white or merle, and is typically hereditary. Other hearing loss causes include chronic ear infections, degenerative cochlear effects, trauma, and toxicity.

Guidelines for paralyzed pets

Various conditions can cause your pet to experience paralysis in some or all their limbs. Help your paralyzed pet remain comfortable and happy by doing the following:

  • Provide mobility aids — A pet who is completely immobile can quickly develop depression and other health complications. However, you can help your pet get around by using a harness or sling, or enable them to move independently by providing a cart. To prevent your pet from experiencing skin irritation or impingement, have the cart  specially fitted to your furry pal.
  • Keep your pet clean — Because paralyzed pets cannot easily move to an appropriate location to urinate or defecate, accidents commonly occur. To prevent your pet from experiencing skin irritation and potentially developing an infection, clean your furry pal as soon as possible after an accident.  
  • Prevent bedsores — When your pet cannot shift their body position, they are at risk for developing bedsores. Provide your furry pal with a well-cushioned orthopedic bed, and change their body position every four to six hours to help prevent these issues. 
  • Provide physical therapy — Ensuring your pet receives appropriate physical therapy for their condition can improve their muscle tone and joint mobility. 
  • Protect your pet’s limbs — Pets who have hind limb paralysis drag their legs, which can result in abrasions and wounds. Bandage your pet’s limbs, or provide them with a cart to elevate their hind limbs and prevent leg dragging. In addition, inspect your pet’s limbs daily for injury, because they cannot feel pain from wounds they may develop. 
  • Express your pet’s bladder — If your pet is unable to urinate on their own, you must express their bladder a few times a day to prevent health complications.
  • Monitor your pet for constipation — While most paralyzed pets can defecate on their own, monitor your furry pal for constipation, and provide a gentle laxative if necessary.
  • Provide mental stimulation — Place a comfortable pet bed in your family room, so your pet can interact socially with you, family members, and friends. Entice your sweet kitty with a feather wand, and gently play tug-of-war with your dog. In addition, food puzzles offer your pet mental stimulation. 

Guidelines for blind pets

As with paralysis, many conditions can cause your pet to lose their vision. Help your blind pet live a fulfilling life by doing the following:

  • Make noise — Place bells on the other pets in your home, so your blind pet knows where their pals are. In addition, talk frequently, so your pet can track your movements.
  • Get on your pet’s level — Get on your pet’s level, and navigate your home, looking for potential dangers such as stairs, sharp edges, and tripping hazards. Once you have identified these issues, remove or block these hazards. 
  • Stay tidy — Keep your floor free of unexpected items that can trip your pet. Remind family members to avoid dropping items, such as book bags, in home areas that could pose an obstacle to your blind pet. 
  • Teach voice commands — Teach your pet voice commands, such as step, to alert them when they approach stairs or other obstacles.
  • Help your pet create a mind map — Blind pets navigate their home environment by creating a mind map. To ensure your pet’s mind map remains accurate, do not rearrange the furniture.
  • Provide noisy toys — Provide your pet with squeaky balls and other noisy toys, so your furry pal can easily find them when playing.
  • Tell your friends — Ensure people know your pet is blind, and have them vocally alert your pet before approaching, so your furry pal does not become startled.

Guidelines for deaf pets

A rhodesian ridgeback dog lying on grass attentively looks at a human hand extended towards it from the side, in an outdoor setting, seeking pet behavior guidance.

Your pet may be congenitally deaf, or an adverse health condition or simply old age may have caused your pet to lose their hearing. Help your deaf pet live their best life by doing the following:

  • Protect your pet — A deaf pet has an increased risk of becoming a traffic accident victim. Never allow your pet to be off leash when outside your home or fenced yard. 
  • Teach hand signals — Train your pet to understand hand signals, so you can easily communicate with your pet.
  • Stay in sight — When approaching your pet, stay in their sight to avoid startling them, and always ensure your furry pal sees you before you touch them. 
  • Use visual cues — Pick up your pet’s bowl to alert them to mealtime, and show them their leash when you are ready to take them for a walk.
  • Tell your friends — Ensure people know your pet is deaf, and have them visually alert your pet before approaching, so your furry pal does not become startled.

By following these guidelines, you can help your specially abled pet live a long, happy life. If you would like to schedule a wellness examination for your specially abled pet, contact our Memorial Villages Animal Hospital team, so we can help ensure your furry pal is living their best life.