Like people, pets can develop physical problems that require special attention. In the past it was common for such a pet to face euthanasia. However, with the great advances made in veterinarian medicine as well an increased awareness of the human-animal bond many of these special needs pets are finding a place in the hearts and homes of pet owners.
Special needs pets are often able to adapt to their “disability” more readily than their human counterparts, however they still require a lifestyle and environmental modifications to accommodate their particular needs. This also means adaptations as well as a higher level of commitment on the part of the pet owner. Let’s look at some of the more common disabilities in pets.
Many pets are blind; some are blind from birth while others were blinded by accident or disease. Often people who lose their site will speak of the heightened sense of smell and hearing they experience, as theses senses adapt to compensate for the lack of vision. Knowing that our pets have a keener sense of smell and hearing than we do and assuming that the same adaptation occurs to accommodate the loss of one of the other senses it is easy to see why they are able to adapt so well to that loss of sight. One great example of how these pets can cope and still live full and happy lives is a dog named Tess. Due to Glaucoma Tess lost her sight and her eyes had to be surgically removed. To see her amazing story visit http://Blindanimal.com there you will see some amazing videos of Tess playing football, fetch and learning to negotiate large steps. This site is also a great resource for anyone who has a blind pet.
A blind pet obviously needs to be protected from hazards they cannot see. For example, it may be a wise idea to keep stairways inaccessible with childproof gates to prevent accidental falls. A blind pet should never negotiate stairs without supervision. Likewise, it is not wise to leave a sightless pet outside alone. Many things can happen which could frighten or disorient them and they may wander off in the wrong direction leading to very real dangers for them. When walking a blind pet in a new or strange location, for example on a vacation, it is recommended to use a body harness as opposed to a collar. This helps the pet to feel more secure because it gives more body contact helping the pet to feel safely connected to the pet owner. It will take some time but the most important thing is that a blind pet learns to trust their owner.
Another common disability among pets is hearing loss. Of course the difficulty here is that the pet owner cannot signal or give the pet commands verbally. However, this does not mean that deaf animals cannot learn to follow commands. With a little time and patience on the part of the pet owner a deaf pet can be trained using a combination of facial expressions, eye contact, hand signals and touch. Many owners of deaf pets have come up with clever ways of gaining their pets attention such as remote control vibrating collars or stomping on the floor to create vibrations. Some use flashlights or reflections from small hand mirrors. For more useful information on living with a deaf pet visit http://www.leadwithyourheart.net/Deaf_Animals
Animal amputees have one of the more obvious disabilities, unlike deafness or even blindness a missing limb stands out. No matter how noticeable it is to people, animals don’t seem to give a second thought to a missing limb. Of course the loss of limb is a major change and the amputee will need some time to adjust, however animals adapt amazingly well the loss of a leg. Often times they are capable of moving just as well as they did before the amputation. There are some truly amazing stories about three legged animals and what they can do. A great source of information is http://www.squidoo.com/tripawd this site offers videos as well as advice on what to look for in a surgeon if your pet is facing the possibility of an amputation. There is a also a link to their alternate site with additional information.
Caring for animals with special needs can be challenging but helping a pet in need can be an extremely rewarding experience. If you are considering adopting a special needs pet be sure to discuss it with your veterinarian to fully understand what their requirements are and that they are a good fit for you, your family, and your lifestyle. Making the right choice will ultimately lead to fulfilling and rewarding lives for both you and your special needs pet.
