Pets With Special Needs
- Author Jeffrey Weber
- Published October 13, 2010
- Word count 803
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.
Jeffrey Weber has been a long time and avid pet lover. Over the years he has had the privilege to learn from pet professionals, as well as from his own experience. In an effort to strengthen the bond between people and their pets he shares his
knowledge on his blog
Family Pets. In addition Jeff and his wife quality pet supplies on their website at
Your-Pets-R-Family-2.com
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Keeping Cool This Summer: Air Conditioning Installation Services in Milwaukee
- A DIY Guide to Fixing Your Garage Door (with a Call to Garage Door Magnolia When All Else Fails!)
- Can a Bent Garage Door Be Bent Back into Shape? Don't Panic, Call Kiki Garage Door!
- How Can I Tell If My Garage Door Opener Sensor Is Bad?
- Maximizing Profitability: The Economics Behind Customizable Design Assets
- Exploring the Hidden Gems of Si Racha, Thailand
- DIY vs. Professional Movers: Pros and Cons in 2024
- MK Web Celebrates Top Position in Bourne's Premier Web Design Rankings
- The Road to Sobriety: Understanding Substance Use Disorders
- MotorKote Ultimate 40/60 Synthetic Hyper Mix 5W-30
- Exploring Denver on a Dime: A Frugal Travel Guide
- Top 10 Ways Production Scheduling in Business Central Transforms Manufacturing
- Strength Training and it's Incredible Benefits for Fat Burning
- Enhancing Home Security with Aluminum Shutters: A Focus on Weatherwell Elite
- 5 Easy Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Fun for the Whole Family
- Transforming Plastic Extrusion Machines into Recycling Powerhouses
- Unraveling the Potential of Plastic Extrusion Machines
- The Rise of Plastic Recycling Machines: A Step Towards Sustainability
- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream: OMG! Unreal!
- The Advantages of Using Professional Home Cleaners in Ilford
- 8 Compelling Reasons to Hire Professional Home Cleaners
- The 12 Steps Narcotics Anonymous Program To Recovery
- Send Money to Tanzania: Effortless Transfers with SafariRemit
- Stylish Savings: 10 Frugal Ways to Stay Fashionable in 2024
- Fly Cheap With FlightPapa To Any City
- How Collaborating with a Software Development Company Can Propel Your Business Forward
- A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Hair Transplant Method
- 15 Frugal Tips for a Memorable Wedding Day
- Credit Union vs. Bank
- Explore the Advantages of Renewable Energy: Wind, Solar, Biomass, Hydropower and Geothermal Energy