Caring for Senior Pets and Avoiding Economic Euthanasia
Everyone and everything gets older at some point, and sadly, your pets are no exception. At some point, all pets become seniors. Your once spry playmate may stop jumping after his tennis ball but likely has a long life ahead with you. The vital thing to know and understand is that senior pets have different care requirements compared to young ones.
The AVMA says that due to improved dietary habits and veterinary care, pets are now living longer than ever.
And that implies that pets can be ‘seniors’ for a considerable part of their lives. This fact leaves pet owners as well as veterinarians facing a new range of age-related conditions. It is worth mentioning that these conditions can range from decreased mobility and weight gain as well as kidney, heart, and liver diseases. That is why being proactive when it comes to veterinary care is particularly crucial for your senior pets.
Is My Pet a Senior?
Usually, pets are considered to be seniors when they reach the age of seven. However, this will certainly vary according to your pet’s species, breed, and size. In the case of canines, usually smaller dogs have longer lifespans compared to their giant-breed counterparts. So, for instance, a Great Dane is a senior at six or seven, but seven years is only middle age for a Chihuahua.
Here are some common signs of an aging pet:
Less interaction with family members
Changes in breathing
Decreased activity
Weight gain or loss
Increased urination frequency
Increase in infections
Difficulty seeing or hearing when you call
Senior Pet Care Tips
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
Your vet can advise you regarding the best routine. Whether that is every two months or only once a year, it is vital to get your pet to the vet. As your pet ages, their immune system gets weaker, and this makes them prone to all types of ailments. Regular medical exams give you and your pet the opportunity to identify age-related health problems.
Choose the Right Diet
Your older pet will need fewer calories if he is less active. Try to feed fresh vegetables or top-quality commercial treats. Also, try to limit portion sizes at mealtime. You should feed your pet a balanced diet that contains high-quality ingredients in suitable amounts to maintain a good weight. Keep in mind that more than half of American pets are overweight, and obesity contributes to several diseases and can put more stress on your pet’s joints.
Keep Your Pet Moving
Like humans, pets need frequent exercise and mobility as part of their senior pet care program. You may speak with your vet and ask for a suitable exercise program given the specific limitations and health of your pet.
For example, your dog may not jump the way he used to, and he may not chase the Frisbee or tennis ball like before, but the movement will keep the joints healthy, maintain a healthy weight, and the mental stimulation going.
Make Your House Senior Pet-Friendly
Although your pet might not be able to get around as swiftly as before, you could easily make some changes to their surroundings to help them. Some of these changes include:
Getting an orthopedic bed for your cat or dog
Keeping your pet warm with a sweater or jacket
Making it easy for them to access water
Consider Pet Insurance
Once unheard of, pet insurance is gaining in popularity as a way to manage veterinary expenses. Just like with humans, there are a number of insurance options now available for pets. If you're evaluating pet insurance, talk with your veterinarian and do some research on your available choices. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Make sure they offer an open network so you can choose a veterinarian of your choice.
Most plans are reimbursement plans, meaning you pay first and they send you a check later.
There are many exclusions and add on options in policies, so read the fine print.
Some “high risk” breeds are not covered.
Senior Pets and Vet Costs
As your pet ages, you will likely encounter more and more expensive veterinary bills. Pets age just like humans and like us they cost more in their senior years. Some of the most common ailments among older pests are:
Torn ACL cost averages between $1,000 and $4,500
Hip dysplasia cost averages between $1,700 and $4,600
Intervertebral disc disease cost averages between $1,500 and $3,000
Ingestion of a foreign body can cost between $500 and $3,000
Cancer and its many forms can range from $1,500 to above $5,000
Avoiding Euthanasia
Pet owners are sometimes faced with heart wrenching and difficult decisions regarding pet euthanasia if their beloved furry companion has a serious medical condition. You should ask yourself, Is the pet enjoying a suitable quality of life? Is it high time to consider euthanasia, for the good of the pet? Does your pet have years to go in their life? These are things to think of outside of costs, however, and you just may find needed assistance with your vet bills.
Pet owners who can’t afford to take proper care of their pets is too common a reason for pet euthanasia. When faced with a hefty bill at the veterinary office, how do you cope and what do you do if you are not willing to put your pet down for economic reasons, often called economic euthanasia? Economic euthanasia is, unfortunately, a leading cause of pet deaths in many veterinary clinics.
Credit Card Debt
No one wants to do it, but in case of emergency taking on credit card debit may make sense. You love your pet so much, it is worth it and you can work a little harder over the next few months to do what is best for your pet. While we all want to keep debt down and credit cards paid off, your pet needs you now and if you have the ability and this is rational to address in this fashion. As with any credit card debt always make the minimum payment, pay it off as quickly as possible and consider moving the debt to a different card to keep interest rates low.
CareCredit
CareCredit is an alternative financing option for healthcare costs that your vet may accept. Healthcare financing, including pet health, is offered through CareCredit. Periodically CareCredit will have special financial terms they work out with providers to offer term financing options at 0% interest. Keep in mind after this introductory period, higher interest rates may apply, so be sure to pay this off as quickly as possible. To use CareCredit, your veterinarian must be signed up to accept their debit card and agree to their service terms.
Crowdfunding
One of the newer ways to address funding a pet’s healthcare and veterinary needs is online crowdfunding. Personal fundraising used to mean hosting a barbecue event, organizing a walk, or even setting up a jar at your local convince store where people can fill with loose change. Now using the internet, all of this can be done online and in minutes.
Crowdfunding sites have made it easy to create campaigns, add pictures and stories, share with friends and family on social media, and fundraise for your cause. The key to using crowdfunding sites is sharing and being social. So think about how your story appeals to others’ heartstrings when creating a campaign: make your campaign compelling with a great title, vivid pictures, and really present your story in a way your supporters will connect with and latch on to.
There are numerous crowdfunding platforms out there so pick one that fits your needs best. Consider the reach and focus of each site has. Many of these sites focus on specific niches vs. funding anything. For example, some crowdfunding sites are dedicated to investments, businesses, product startups, non-profit fundraising, personal healthcare, and pets. To best serve your pet’s needs, you’ll want a site that specializes in paying for vet bills. Getting help with vet bills for your senior pet can take a little work, but it beats the alternative of putting your dog to sleep.
Consider Putting Your Pet Up For Adoption or Rescue
If you can no longer afford your pet rather than euthanasia, consider putting your pet up for adoption. While no one truly wants to consider this, it still may be much better than the alternative. There are rescue organizations out there that specialize in different species and breeds and others that only focus on saving all pets. You will need to do some research into your local area to find the best solution for your pet. There are organizations and many people out there with big hearts who are willing to take on the burden of an older or ailing pet. Please consider this as a final option when wrestling with tough choices with your pet’s health and finances.
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