Caring for Your Paralyzed Pets How to Give Your Paraplegic Pets a Good Quality of Life

BY | August 10 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY
Caring for Your Paralyzed Pets

Learn how to administer drugs, and how to check for discomfort and signs of pain in a paralyzed pet. Also, find out more about common problems that paralyzed pets face and how you can take care of them.

If your pet has been diagnosed with paralysis, you should take the time to learn about and understand their condition. We'll explain what kinds of things you can do to help your pet cope with their illness and live a good quality of life.

Taking Drugs the Right Way

Ensure your paraplegic or quadriplegic pet takes drugs in the right way. Keep the following things in mind:

  • Make sure the drugs are given at the right time.

  • Make sure you give the correct dose of a drug to your paralyzed pet, as instructed by your vet. If you're not sure about this, ask for advice from a vet or pharmacist.

  • Don't give any over-the-counter medicines or use an ?antibiotic for dogs without checking with your vet first, as some medicines may be harmful if consumed by pets with spinal injuries such as paralysis or paraplegia (paralysis of both legs). 

  • This includes antibiotics for dog ear infection problems. Dog ear infection treatment is a major concern for paralyzed dogs. There are other dog ear infection medicine and dog ear cleaner that you should be aware of. 

  • To avoid the problems altogether, regular use of ear drops for dogs and dog eye drops is recommended. 

  • Antibiotics for cats and any cat allergy medicine also need to be verified. 

 

Provide Veterinary Care For Your Paraplegic or Quadriplegic Pet

Check for Signs of Infection

Your pet's muscles may lack their usual strength and control, which could mean that they are more susceptible to infection. Pay close attention to any signs of inflammation, such as swelling or redness, and contact your veterinarian if you notice these symptoms. If this is because of worms, a cat dewormer can help. Cats are also susceptible to eye infections, so keep some cat eye drops at home. 

Check for Signs of Pain

If you're caring for a paraplegic or quadriplegic pet, you should be aware that they won't be able to communicate with you if they are in pain—it's up to you to notice any changes in behavior or health from what is normal for them! If your cat doesn't seem like herself, go see the vet just in case something isn't right with her! Cats can become depressed when their mobility is limited, and this can cause them not to eat normally or sleep enough. So make sure she's eating well and getting plenty of rest every day as well! You also need to monitor her weight closely because an underweight cat will have trouble walking around even if she does regain some function later on down the line. 

Take Care of Your Paraplegic or Quadriplegic Pet’s Skin

Skin care is a critical part of your paraplegic or quadriplegic pet's daily routine.

Use a soft cloth or a dog brush to clean the skin as often as possible, especially in areas that are more difficult to reach. Use mild soap and avoid harsh chemicals, perfumed products, and alcohol-based cleaning agents. 

A special cat shampoo should be used for your feline. Since the dog's nails will grow quicker if they are immobile, learn how to use dog clippers. 

Feeding a Cat With Paralysis

If your cat is experiencing paralysis, you will need to feed them special food.

If the paralysis is recent and temporary, your vet might recommend feeding moist cat food with a slotted spoon or syringe. This will help your pet get more nutrition without having to use its mouth and jaws.

As a long-term solution, though, it's best for cats with paralysis to eat soft foods that are easy for them to chew but still nutritious enough for them not to lose weight. Avoid hard food as this can aggravate the damage done by the paralysis and make it worse. You should also avoid dry or wet foods that have gravy or oil in them, as this could cause choking if swallowed quickly by your pet.

Feeding Your Dog With Paralysis

It is a lot more difficult than feeding a normal dog. That’s why you will need to use a special dog bowl, a special dog bowl holder, and a special dog bowl mat.

The best way to feed your paralyzed pet is by using this technique: First, place their regular food in the bowl and then put their paralyzed body over it. Then take the lid off of their head and pour the food into their mouth while they are still in position.

This method works well because it prevents them from moving around too much while eating and keeps all of the spilled food inside of their body instead of getting onto your floor or furniture!

Cleaning and Toileting a Cat With Paralysis

A cat litter box is a must in any home with a paralyzed pet. The litter will help to keep the area clean, and if you have more than one cat, it'll ensure that each of them has an appropriate place to go. Make sure that it's big enough for the cat to comfortably fit into and turn around in (many boxes are too small for this), as well as easy to clean out and maintain daily.

Cat litter comes in many forms: clumping clay, pine pellets, or wheat-based pellets/beads are all options available at most pet stores or online retailers such as Amazon. Choose whichever type works best for your budget/needs! And don't forget about the cat litter scoop. They come in different sizes.

You'll also want some kind of mat underneath where your kitty will be doing his business. This can help prevent slipping once paralyzed legs start shaking uncontrollably due to nerves caused by being unable to move freely throughout their environment. 

Cleaning and Toileting a Dog With Paralysis

Cleaning Ears

  • Use a cotton ball or soft cloth to wipe out the ear.

  • Use an over-the-counter ear cleaner to remove wax, dirt, and debris from inside your dog's ears.

Cleaning Teeth

  • Your dog may need its teeth brushed at least once a week, but it's best if you brush them every day. You can use either a toothbrush designed for dogs or regular human toothpaste on a finger brush, a small brush that fits over your finger.

  • To begin brushing your pet's teeth, lift its upper lip and gently rub the first row of teeth with the bristles of your dog's toothbrush. Hold it at right angles to each tooth. Move around one row of teeth at a time until all four rows have been cleaned thoroughly. Be sure not to scrub too hard as you could damage sensitive gum tissue!

You Can Help Your Pets Cope With Their Illness and Live a Good Quality of Life

Understand the treatment options. Understand the prognosis, including how it affects different pets differently and at different times in their lives. How long they will live, what symptoms they may have as they age, and how their condition progresses over time. And any possible side effects of treatment (such as weight gain or loss).

Understand all costs that may be involved in keeping your pet healthy, including veterinarian fees for regular check-ups and medications (including potential alternative therapies). Food costs for dogs who need special diets due to health conditions such as diabetes mellitus or kidney disease. Grooming fees if regular bathing is required due to skin problems caused by paralysis such as atopic dermatitis. Equipment purchases like harnesses for mobility assistance if needed.

There are many ways to care for a paraplegic or quadriplegic pet. Your vet can help you choose the best option for your pet, but it will probably involve some combination of medication, exercise, and supportive care like pressure relief beds and assistive devices. Make sure that you get a large dog bed.

In addition to helping your pet cope with their illness, there are also ways that you can support them as well, by providing a safe environment free from any sources of pain or discomfort. By keeping track of their health status any changes in their condition can be detected early. Providing appropriate dietary requirements depends on what medical treatments they’re taking. And offer lots of love and affection during this difficult time!

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