Every pet owner knows the joy and love of having a pet that grows with them. While we wish they could live forever, it’s a sad reality that they’re more likely to develop severe illnesses as they age. While some conditions are treatable, others may have lasting effects, and the best option will be to seek in-home pet hospice care to keep them comfortable until the end.
Understanding the most common illnesses for your pet can help you spot the symptoms, seek veterinary care, and learn how to handle your pet best based on its condition. If you have a cat or dog, here’s how to treat each illness.
Common Illnesses for Pets
These are some of the most common illnesses for cats and dogs. We’ve listed the symptoms to look out for, how each disease develops, and the additional care each condition requires.
Illnesses for Cats
Cancer
Similar to humans, cats can develop cancer cells in one area or throughout the body. While there’s no single cause, factors like genetics and environment can affect cancer cell development. Light-colored cats are more susceptible to cancer in the ears, eyelids, and nose. Older cats and cats not vaccinated for feline leukemia virus are also vulnerable to all types of lymphoma except for gastrointestinal cancer.
The most prominent cancer symptom is an unexplained lump, though your cat may also show signs of lethargy, lameness, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, urinating, and defecating.
Pet owners can explore options like surgery, chemotherapy, and other therapies if caught early. Later stages of cancer can be challenging to treat, so pet owners may consider no treatment and opt for in-home pet hospice care to make their cat’s final days more comfortable.
Diabetes
Cats with diabetes either have problems producing insulin or their body is resistant to insulin metabolizing their sugars. This increases their blood sugar levels and leads to several health complications. Factors such as genetics and pancreatic diseases can lead to diabetes. Diabetes is most common among obese cats, though sex, age, and lifestyle can affect their development.
Cats with diabetes show symptoms like excessive thirst and increased urination. Behaviorally, they may eat too much or too little, urinate outside their litter box, and show signs of dehydration.
Diabetic cats may need hospitalization at first to help manage their sugar levels. They will also need regular insulin injections, and their owners should learn how to inspect their glucose levels. Additionally, cats need to alter their diet and add more fiber.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
The feline immunodeficiency virus is a slow disease that can take years for cats to show symptoms. The virus disrupts a cat’s immune system, making them vulnerable to other illnesses. It’s not transmitted through shared spaces and is most commonly transmitted either through deep bite wounds from fighting with an infected cat or from a mother to her newborn kitten. If you allow your cat to roam outdoors, they have a higher chance of contracting FIV than indoor cats.
After several years of infection, a cat’s health will eventually deteriorate. You may notice symptoms like large lymph nodes, chronic fever, wounds that don’t heal, and other behavioral changes. These cats are also prone to other serious diseases like cancer and kidney failure.
Cats with FIV will have fragile immune systems, so avoid letting your cat go outdoors. They will need medical care to treat their symptoms and should live in stress-free indoor environments to minimize the effects of their condition.
Illness for Dogs
Chronic Kidney Disease
Dogs with kidney disease have kidneys that don’t function as they should. This can lead to issues with water retention, blood pressure, blood cell production, and more. Kidney disease can develop from old age, infection, and cancer.
Early signs of kidney problems are your dog’s increased thirst and more frequent urination. Eventually, your dog may become lethargic and weak while sporting mouth ulcers.
Kidney disease can be treated earlier with additional fluids and medication to tackle its symptoms. Over time, dogs will need regular check-ups to monitor their kidney health. They will need to adapt to a diet in line with their kidney condition, and pet owners should always give their medication on time to ensure their dog’s comfort.
Heart Disease
Dogs can experience different forms of heart disease. Some dogs may be born with genetic conditions like congenital heart disease, while factors like old age and genetics can lead to congestive heart failure. Early detection can treat some heart conditions and improve your dog’s quality of life.
In most cases, if you send your dog to a vet for regular check-ups, they may be able to spot early signs of abnormal heart conditions. However, other heart conditions don’t have early warning signs until the later stages, when your dog can no longer exercise, has difficulty breathing, and is prone to fainting.
Early signs of heart disease can be managed with a prescription diet and medications. However, conditions like congestive heart failure will need consistent treatment and monitoring. Pet owners should also ensure their dog’s food, water, and bed are nearby.
Seizures
Dogs can develop chronic focal seizures, which only affect part of the dog’s brain, or generalized seizures, which affect the entire brain and result in fainting and loss of consciousness.
Symptoms of dogs with chronic seizures can vary. Before an attack, dogs tend to stare blankly into space and exhibit some behavioral changes. Dogs experiencing focal seizures may have aggressive and repetitive motions, while generalized seizures show loss of consciousness, no control of their bowels, and stiffness.
Dogs can be prescribed medications to prevent seizures, but these won’t cure the underlying symptom. Your dog will have to take anti-seizure medication for the rest of their life, though this can lead to some side effects that can lead to secondary conditions as they age.
What Are My Pet’s Options?
Depending on how early you catch the symptoms, you may have several options for handling your pet’s condition.
Seek Medical Treatment
Many common illnesses can be managed if caught early. With the help of a veterinarian, you can adjust your pet’s diet and lifestyle to avoid developing certain conditions. You may also provide medication to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. For cases like injections, regulating their hormone levels, and other preventative steps, your vet may recommend learning how to perform these by yourself so you can provide regular in-home care. Remember that this involves adjusting your household or lifestyle to ensure someone is always caring for your pet.
Hospice Care
Some treatments for serious illnesses may either be ineffective, lead to debilitating effects that are just as bad as the disease itself or are not recommended for older pets. If this is the case for your pet, you may consider end-of-life care, focusing less on the condition and more on the symptoms affecting your pet’s quality of life. Having professional advice on in-home pet hospice care can give you the means to make your pet as comfortable as possible during its final months or years.
Euthanasia
If treatment is ineffective and hospice care is not an option because of their condition and symptoms, it may be best to give your pets the peace they deserve through euthanasia. Rather than prolonging their debilitating disease, this option lets them cross the rainbow bridge comfortably. In-home pet euthanasia gives your pet a peaceful end in the comfort of their home, surrounded by their family.
Compassionate In-Home Hospice Pet Care at Loving Paws Veterinary House Calls
No one wants to see their beloved pets suffer a severe or terminal condition in pain. Choosing between medical treatments, hospice care, or pet euthanasia is never easy, so it’s best to seek pet care from a team that also cares about your pet’s well-being.
At Loving Paws Veterinary House Calls, we understand the weight of dealing with your pet’s golden years. We’re here to help you through this emotional time and give your pet the dignified end they deserve.
Get in touch with us today for inquiries and bookings or call 972-201-5342.
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