Pets with Disabilities

Our society is experiencing an ongoing evolution of the human-animal bond: the family-pet relationship. Veterinary care has progressed to a level that supports longer life expectancy in pets, through better nutrition and protection from infectious diseases and parasites. Early detection of diseases allows for a better quality of life for a longer time.

With this improved veterinary care, it is not surprising that the senior and geriatric pet population has surged. It is not rare to see cats 20 years of age and older, and small- to medium-breed dogs in their late teens. 

However, if you do a good job while your pet is young, and protect them with regular preventive veterinary care, they will probably live long enough to develop a progressive degenerative condition. These conditions can lead to a disability and dramatically alter their activities of daily living (ADLs).

While some pets may develop a disability with age, other pets are born with disabilities. Some pets with disabilities are obviously different from their cat and dog friends (e.g., those with a missing limb). Others have hidden disabilities (e.g., deafness). Improved veterinary care increases the probability these pets can have a normal (or nearly normal) life expectancy with a good quality of life.

How can I help make my pet with a disability comfortable?

Pets with disabilities are family members who need and deserve us to plan to provide for their unique needs. Not that long ago, if a pet faced an illness, injury, or birth defect that seriously altered their body, causing a change in ADLs, euthanasia was a common outcome. The concern was for the animal’s quality of life, and it was easy to presume that a loss of normal routine might result in an unacceptable quality of life. As veterinary medicine has advanced, so has our understanding of how to keep pets comfortable and engaged in the face of previously devastating conditions.

Relieving pain is the number one priority for any pet facing a disability. Many excellent pain management strategies are available, depending on the cause of discomfort, including medication, nutrition, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and physical rehabilitation. With so many options, we can provide comfort care for a wide variety of pain-generating issues.

Once a pain relief plan is in place, the focus is on any elimination issues that may be present (urinary or fecal incontinence). For instance, in the case of paralysis, the pet will need assistance to urinate. Whatever the elimination issues, the veterinary healthcare team will provide guidance and instruction on how to help.

After resolving pain and elimination issues, the focus is mobility. Mobility compromise occurs on a spectrum, from weakness to chronic joint injury to paralysis to limb amputation.

Adapting the pet’s lifestyle to accommodate compromised mobility is often limited only by imagination. Packs and modified infant slings can be used to carry cats and small dogs. Larger dogs can often be transported in a wagon pulled by their humans. Pets with rear limb paralysis or profound weakness often learn quickly how to use a wheelchair that they pull behind them. If the front legs are compromised, there are modified wheelchairs available. Other types of assistive devices can help with everyday mobility as well.

What if my pet has a hidden disability?

Some disabilities are not immediately obvious but still require lifestyle adaptations. It is important to consider what these pets need in the way of day-to-day support and then help them live their best life within their limitations.

Blindness can be acquired or present from birth. Blind dogs should not have unsupervised access to stairs, although blind cats can generally negotiate them safely. Blind animals can be trained to localize and follow sounds such as clicks and whistles. In a household with more than one pet, a blind pet will often rely on another animal in the household to lead the way.

Deafness can also be acquired or present from birth. Deaf pets must be protected from traffic and other unpleasant surprises but can otherwise live a normal life and have a normal life expectancy. See other ClientEd handouts for specific advice on helping an animal with hearing loss.

Other invisible disabilities include issues affecting mentation (mental awareness), such as cognitive dysfunction and anxiety disorders. These disabilities are as real as the loss of a limb, and they require their own management strategies. If your pet has a hidden disability, your veterinarian can help you create the best plan to help your pet.

No matter what makes a pet different, difference alone need not mean the end of a life. Your veterinarian is your best source for accurate information, guidance, and support when making a plan for the care of a disabled pet. Enthusiasm coupled with pragmatism can be the key to a long, happy life for these special animal companions.