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| Image Credit: Pexels |
{This is a collaborative post}
Awareness of chronic illness and its impact in humans is
growing at a fast rate, but did you know that pets can develop chronic
illnesses too? From diabetes to thyroid conditions, it’s entirely possible for pets to receive a diagnosis of this
nature. And, when that happens, you may find yourself in a constant state of
worry, while also having to deal with medication schedules and your pet’s
ongoing discomfort.
This can quickly become overwhelming. Luckily, there are
ways to overcome that overwhelm, and they can all help you to provide a much
better life for your pet long-term. Keep on reading to find out what they are.
1 - Do Your Research
While falling down a Google rabbit hole is rarely a good
idea, it is worth doing at least a little preliminary research. Ask your vet
whether there are any resources they recommend, or head to reputable sites that
you know and trust to find out about your pet’s condition.
You should research symptoms to look out for, as well as
ways to ease your pet’s discomfort. If you can’t find the answers to all of
your questions, it may also be worth joining forums, where you can speak with
other pet owners about their experiences dealing with the same illness.
With this knowledge, your pet’s condition feels a lot more
manageable, and you should also hopefully be in the best position to provide
them with a comfortable life.
2 - Build Your Emergency Contacts
Chronic illnesses don’t necessarily shorten your pet’s life,
but conditions like these can leave your pet at a higher risk of health
emergencies. This can be the most overwhelming thing of all, but it’s a fear
that you can lessen by simply building your emergency contacts and keeping them
to hand should you ever need them.
Obviously, your regular vet’s number should appear here, but
this list doesn’t stop there. You may also want to save the number for in-home emergency vet care that could save your pet’s life in case of sudden seizures or other
problems. With these numbers at hand, you can gain far more control over every
potential situation.
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| Image Credit: Pexels |
3 - Remember to Enjoy Time With Your Pet
Most of us become pet owners because we seek the friendship
and comfort that animals can bring, but that often falls by the wayside with a
chronic diagnosis. Suddenly, you may spend more time thinking about how to
protect your pet and perfect their medication routine than you do actually
enjoying them.
So, our last piece of advice is to simply remember that your
pet is a joyful, fun addition to your life, chronic diagnosis or not. While you
should obviously follow your vet’s advice, it’s still vital to make time for
everything from walks in the park to games of catch, and of course, plenty of
cuddles on the sofa!
It’s never pleasant when your pet receives a chronic diagnosis, but it is fully possible to overcome the overwhelm in these key ways.
