Many pets, as they get older, have accidents or develop neurological illnesses that render them unable to walk or become weak. Various factors limit treatment or surgery, leading many owners to opt for palliative care for the time being. This leaves dogs and cats with these conditions feeling like bedridden patients, unable to get up and walk or move around. As a result, caring for these pets requires special attention and care, unlike regular pets. If our pet is paralyzed, how can we care for it so that it has a good quality of life? Let's listen to some advice from veterinarians.
When a pet is paralyzed, veterinarians advise that animals with these conditions usually do not die from being unable to walk or move, but rather their condition will worsen due to these factors.
- Pressure sores are caused by immobility or lying on one side for long periods of time. Immobility causes muscle and fat to decrease and bone to become more prominent, leading to ulcers and subsequent infection.
- Cystitis: Normally, the bladder is not infected. However, the inability to control urination, the inability to get up to urinate, or the inability to completely empty the bladder, resulting in urine remaining, can cause the infection to reflux from the exit of the penis back into the body.
- Pneumonia: Sleeping on one side for a long time causes mucus to accumulate in the airways and lungs. When the expansion of one side of the lung is obstructed for a long time, it can lead to a secondary infection.
7 ways to care for pets with paralysis
1. Quarantine in a clean place.
Confinement in a confined, clean area, such as a cage or small area, and avoiding jumping, running, and going up and down stairs for at least 3 weeks in the beginning to reduce the impact on the nervous system that can occur.
2. Let the animal sit/sleep in a soft place.
In cases where an animal is paralyzed, the owner should allow it to sit or lie on a soft, clean surface, such as an air bed, water bed, or thick sponge. The animal should not be placed on a stone, tiled, or sandy surface.
3. Turn the animal every 3-4 hours.
In cases where the animal is paralyzed, hemiplegia, or unconscious, the owner must turn the animal every 3-4 hours and pat the animal's chest to expel mucus to prevent pressure sores and pneumonia.
4. If a pressure sore occurs, the wound must be cleaned daily.
In the case of pressure sores, pets should have their wounds cleaned daily and use pressure sore reducing materials to protect the wound area, such as thick gauze rolls, donut-shaped bandages, rubber rings, foam pads, etc.
5. Exercise
Let your pet exercise the affected leg. The owner can do the following:
- Massage your legs frequently to increase blood circulation.
- Arrange each leg, stretching and bending in and out 30-100 times on each side, 3 sets per day.
- Scratch or stimulate the soles of the feet to practice bending each leg, 5-10 times on each side, 3 times a day.
- Hold your legs and do a cycling motion, 5 times on each side, 3 times a day.
6. Urination care
- Clean urine-stained skin frequently.
- Always apply Vaseline to skin that has been exposed or soiled with urine.
- Squeeze your bladder frequently to help urinate every 2-6 hours.
- Urinary catheterization may be performed but should be under the supervision of a veterinarian.
As for taking care of defecation, after the pet defecates, the owner should always clean the rear of the body. You may trim the fur around the anus and the base of the tail.
7. Visit the veterinarian regularly.
Owners should regularly visit their veterinarian for follow-up care. When your pet suffers from paralysis, it's important to pay attention and provide proper care. Consulting a veterinarian, ensuring cleanliness, and engaging in physical therapy can all contribute to their happiness and quality of life.
Information from
Dr. Norawon Nakthipwan (Dr. Klao), veterinarian at Talingchan Animal Hospital
English