Has your pet been diagnosed with cancer? Are you looking into the things you can do to make sure they get the best care possible? Let’s take a look at some tips for pets with cancer so you and your pet can get through this challenging time the best way possible.
Staying Joyful – Strength In Hardship
First, our deepest condolences to you at this time. Dealing with a life-threatening illness is not easy, and you need all the support you can get. One of the most important elements in a critical care plan is how you carry yourself in the process.
Your pet is acutely aware of your emotional state. If you are carrying highly charged emotions like sadness, anger, fear, or regret, your pet will pick up on these. They might even assume that they have done something wrong causing more stress and discomfort. One of the things you can do is to purposefully nurture a joyful heart throughout these challenging times – as hard as this may be.
Joy is not the same as happiness. Joy is the sense that no matter what happens, everything is going to be okay in the grand scheme of things. It takes some practice to let go of our emotional charges in the face of such a definitive condition such as cancer. Even so, your efforts will pay off in the experience of your pet. The quality of life they feel when you are in a state of joy is far superior to what they experience when you are feeling down. Any effort you take will exponentially improve the experience of both you and your pet.
Professional Supportive Care
You need all the help you can get in this time of need. The primary focus that your team of veterinary professionals will provide will be supportive care. This is done with specific medications, recognizing signs of pain and discomfort, as well as establishing a special nutrition plan.
Both your vet as well as a veterinary oncologist will be able to steer your pet’s journey in the right direction. With these professionals on your team, you’ll be in the best position to ensure your pet does not suffer unnecessarily more than they naturally will in this situation. They can also help to provide you with resources for grieving, emotional support groups, or other kinds of assistance you can use to get through this time as smoothly as possible.
The medications that are provided can help to alleviate pain as well as perform other physiological functions. Make sure to follow a regular medication routine. Having a consistent schedule can mean your pet is receiving the best care possible – experiencing as little pain as possible.
Learn To Recognize When Your Pet Is In Pain
One of the best things you can do to help your sick pet is to develop a sense of when they are in pain. When you can see your pet is experiencing pain you can take measures to alleviate it, or at least make them more comfortable. You may want to consider getting them an orthopedic bed, and if beneficial, a heating pad to provide a more comforting experience.
Prioritize Nutrition
Establishing a new nutrition routine may be required. Cancer feeds on the sugars of common starches in grains and veggies. It does not feed on proteins and fats. Developing a nutrition plan for your pet with cancer may include shifting to a diet rich in protein and fats rather than some of the other choices available.
Final Thoughts
Having a pet with cancer can be a challenging situation. Make the journey for both you and your pet easier by following the advice of your vet. They can provide you with key tips for pets with cancer that you can immediately apply to your life. With just a few simple changes in your routine, you can help to improve your pet’s quality of life during this time. And when it comes to prevention, make sure to reach out to Highland Veterinary Clinic today if you think your pet may be experiencing issues. You might just end up saving your little friend’s life. Call 812-710-4300 today, we can help.
