Elderly
and disabled animals can live rewarding
lives
Photo:
Mark Robinson
by Mark Robinson
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 Sometimes,
despite our best efforts and all the benefits
of integrative medicine, our elderly,
disabled, and injured dogs and cats don’t
recover completely. But these animals
can continue to enjoy a happy, healthy,
quality life. Caring for a handicapped
animal can be a richly rewarding experience
filled with love. Here are some tips to
keep in mind:
1. Animals that lose the use of more than
one leg can be outfitted with dog wheelchairs,
or dogkarts. These consist of a set of
wheels attached to a lightweight frame
that straps to the dog. Front, rear, and
four-wheel carts are available. Animals
in properly fitted dogkarts can run and
play. Dogkarts can be homemade or purchased
for between $300 and $500. Similar products
include harnesses and carrying slings,
rear end support leashes, and more.
2. When an animal has a difficult time
walking on wooden or tile floors, it is
often due to dried footpads. Use pet boots
or simply place small throw-rugs around.
3. Many handicapped animals lose control
of their bowels and urinary function.
Ask your vet to teach you how to ‘express’
the bladder or bowels manually. Urine
left in the bladder can become infected,
and fatal, in a matter of days. To make
life with an incontinent animal more pleasant,
order some pet diapers and look into specially
designed bedding.
The choice to care for a handicapped companion
is an important one. But you don’t
have to go it alone. Contacting other
caretakers and listening to their stories
can help you appreciate the work and the
rewards. Talk to your veterinarian and
look into one of the many discussion groups
on the web for help on your journey.
MARK ROBINSON IS THE FOUNDER OF WWW.HANDICAPPEDPETS.COM,
WHICH PROVIDES PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND
SUPPORT TO CARETAKERS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILIES
OF ELDERLY, DISABLED, AND HANDICAPPED
PETS.
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Published
in the June/July 2005 issue of Animal
Wellness
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