Aging is a natural process for all living organisms. Sadly, as humans and pet owners, we not only have to go through the aging process ourselves, but we also have to see our aging animals go through it. As with humans, this can be a joyful and challenging experience, all at the same time. While the aging process is very different for us and our furry friends, there are a lot of similarities.
Pets Get Diseases, Too
According to VetSource, there are 7 common health problems found in aging animals, which also happen to be found in aging humans. They are:
- Kidney Issues
- Heart Problems
- Cognitive Dysfunction
- Arthritis or Joint Problems
- Dental Disease
- Lumps and Bumps
- Loss of Vision and Hearing
As stated in our most recent blog, The Many Ways an Animal Communicator Can Help Your Veterinarian, life-threatening and nonlife-threatening health problems should always be addressed by a veterinarian, and an Animal Communicator can provide complimentary assistance.
Using An Animal Communicator Through the Disease Process
Pet caretakers can use animal communication to deepen their understanding and relationship with the pet who has been diagnosed with a disease. For instance, I’ve worked with a senior dog who, during a consultation, reported a spot on his lung that didn’t feel right. At first, he described it as a “flat feeling spot”. At our next session, the feeling had changed to “an area that doesn’t expand easily when I breathe”. A vet exam revealed a growth in that lobe of his lung. As the family, vet, and dog progressed through medical treatment, animal communication sessions helped to monitor his pain levels, difficulty breathing, and his personal experience of the disease progression. At each session, the dog was able to express any changes he felt as a result of medication and dietary adjustments. Working together as a team has helped this family to navigate a difficult time with less stress and worry. They have been able to fine-tune his treatments and he has survived more than 10 months longer than his original prognosis.
It’s best to check in with pets regularly using animal communication to observe changes or symptoms, especially when disease is present. Many health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes can reach a life-threatening level before a pet exhibits visible signs. Animals are often able to describe physical sensations such as difficulty breathing or irregular heartbeat which can alert you to seek medical care before the situation becomes critical. In situations like these, an animal communicator can help pet owners manage the disease and prolong their pet’s life.
If you’re considering using an animal communicator and your animal has already been diagnosed with a disease, it’s best not to share the diagnosis details with the animal communicator prior to your consultation so that they can feel what is reported from the animal first and not have perceptions skewed by another perspective.
Using An Animal Communicator Through the End-of-Life Process
As you know, the end-of-life process is often accompanied by disease. As a pet’s health declines there are simple things that the pet can share with you to better help you manage their physical condition and surroundings to support them during the aging process. For example, a pet may look sad and you may think it’s unhappy. When in reality, he simply isn’t as energized in his old age and is just tired. When communicating with your animal, they may report that they are feeling dehydrated and don’t have enough energy to get to the bowl. Therefore, you can just move the bowl closer to them to make the effort easier.
Knowing what an aging animal wants can really make a difference in its final days. I have worked with a senior dog who is blind. Since he is blind, his sense of smell gives him great joy despite not being able to walk very well due to his weak legs. To improve his quality of life, the owners pick him up and take him to the park so he can smell the lake, the dirt, and the other animals that have been there. This is the best day ever for him but they wouldn’t have known how to give him joy in his final days had they not worked with a communicator.
Additionally, when a pet is nearing the end of its life, palliative care is often put in place to maintain a level of comfort and quality of life just as it would for a human. The animal communicator can provide information that the veterinarian can use to help them transition more comfortably.
No matter if your pet is just aging or aging with a disease present, their level of comfort and well-being are critical so do what you can to make their last days, their best days!
