Animals Unfolded

By my own admission, I focus on end-of-life and the process of death with both humans and companion animals a lot. As one who has come to specialize in caring for senior and geriatric pets -- especially dogs -- I find myself walking alongside families as they navigate these periods of life with their pets. I’m okay with that, and I do it because I have a desire to. Pets, just like humans deserve to die with as much comfort and support as possible. Though I had a few experiences with client’s pets meeting the end of the lives in the year’s past, in 2011 I had a deep dive into the lives of two other families. As a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com, I covered their journeys with end-of-life care and home euthanasia , which were both facilitated by local house call veterinarian Dr. Cathy Theisen. The power and intimacy of those conversations is still not lost on me. Before too long, I’d be in the midst of death much more closely and with rapid-fire succession. I would see my fathe...

One of the first things that I notice when meeting a family with an older pet, or one receiving palliative and hospice care, are the ways that the humans have implemented ideas to address the animal's changing needs. It's typically a combination of things designed to enhance mobility, prevent any falls and comfortable rest. I'm always happy to see the creative and thoughtful strategies that families use to accommodate their pets with time-tested tricks, and even some terrific new products on the market. Safety first, is the mantra when it comes to our pets, but something that is too often overlooked—and vital nonetheless—is the need to ensure the safety of the persons handling and interacting with the pet. I’m happy to say that in all of my years caring for pets professionally, especially geriatric companion animals and those in end-of-life, I’ve not been bitten. But it’s not luck: I’ve employed safe rules of engagement. The truth is that animals that are living w...

Subcutaneous fluid therapy is something that a veterinarian may prescribe being done at home for cats. And while it's fairly easy and straightforward to in theory, when you get home and have to set about doing it on your own, it's not uncommon to feel all thumbs because your furry friend isn't as cooperative as you might like.  Though conventional wisdom might have one think that doing fluids in a comfy, relaxed space, like on the couch in the living room makes sense, it certainly does if things are working well. But if that's not the case, one of the things that I suggest is that families consider doing fluids in a smaller space, like a bathroom. In the video below, I offer more tips that can help your cat be more amenable to getting fluids at home, promoting more success for the long term.  Lorrie Shaw is a freelance writer and owner of  Professional Pet Sitting . She has been a  featured guest on the Pawprint Animal Rescue Podcast,  talking abou...