Could you find a place for him for these last few years of his life?  What a shame to be neglected in your “senior days.”  His vet records are up to date.  Let us know and we’ll connect you to Maureen!

If I were lucky enough to have 9 lives, I’d be willing to bet eight of them that at some point in the last six months, you’ve grabbed your back or neck and thought  “I need a massage!”.  Not only is massage a way to pamper ourselves, it can help us rid our bodies of pain and toxins.   After all, our bodies are comprised of bones, muscle, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue and plainly stated, that stuff breaks down.

Our pets are made of that very same ‘stuff’, and their bodies age much more rapidly than our own.   Imagine if you were 11 and felt physiologically like a 70 year old?                                                                       

Our pets live and breathe for us.   Even when their health is failing and their bodies are giving out, they’ll  try to fight on just to prove their devotion to us.  So why is we overlook the wear and tear on their bodies?  Our pets spend their days running, jumping and ricocheting off furniture.  They walk and sleep on tile, concrete or hardwood floors.  They aren’t always fed the best diet, but rather what is easiest or most cost effective for their owners.  They  walk barefoot on scalding hot concrete.  Their necks and torsos are tugged by leashes.  It’s no surprise our four-legged friends sometimes need a little relief.    

One way to ease your pet’s pain is through massage which aids an animal’s circulatory, digestive, nervous, muscular,  lymphatic, integumentary (skin)and  skeletal systems.  Massage offers relief to older or geriatric pets with physical limitations and arthritis, pets in some post surgical periods and competitive animals that need to stay agile.

 Before you hire an animal Massage Practitioner, it’s a good idea to find someone who has completed at least  150 credit hours of training through a well respected national program or veterinary school, and has completed a ‘hands on’ practical (or internship) for a final exam.  

I’ve seen firsthand the number of pets out there in discomfort and pain.  Often, no matter how doting the pet parents are, the animal’s physical discomfort is often overlooked, because they  ‘seem fine’.  That’s simply because an animal’s nature is to behave as though they are alright, because in nature animals can’t show weakness and vulnerability.   

You should as an owner, constantly monitor your animal’s limitations.  When your dog or cat can’t climb the stairs, their condition is often too late to reverse.   That’s when you’ll need the assistance of your  Massage Practitioner, who should work closely with your vet or specialist to create a formatted health program.

Remember, massage isn’t just for a day of relaxation.   For your pet, it can literally mean the difference between a pain filled immobile day and a day with more comfort, ease and abilities.

With healthier lifestyles, and the longevity, we’re seeing that some pets just like some people, have the plaque development in their brains that is likely the cause of this type of dimentia.  But do all senior pets have this problem.   No!   Certainly not!   A rule of thumb to follow to help you determine if your pet potentially is dealing with CDS versus simply growing old and uncomfortable, is to use the acronym DISH.  Per Meredith Wargo’s article in Dog World Magazine, DISH stands for Disorientation, Interaction, Sleep and Housetraining.   ‘D’… does your pet get stuck in corners and lost behind a piece of furniture?  Does her/his name no longer elicit a response?   ‘I’…  does your pet no longer respond to you?   Is there intolerance of interaction?  ‘S’… is your angel sleeping more or at least sleeping more during the day and becoming a night owl?  Is there pacing?  ‘H’… how often are potty accidents occuring?   Does your pet forget the reason for needing to go outside?  

Whatever you do, DO NOT assume that if you see these signals, its CDS and that’s that.   To diagnose this, your vet will have a multi step plan for you.  And your vet will need to do a physical exam to rule out other physical health issues.   And keep in mind that most likely, your pet will only have symptoms from one of these categories, versus all of them.  Not always… but likely only one category of symptoms.  

Whatever you do, be patient and loving and understanding.   Remember that Inko’s is available to help you learn how to assist your pet in their transition to ‘Senior Years’.   This is a big journey for your pet AND you.   It’s very difficult, but also so beautiful and rewarding.   Be sure to reference Meredith’s article in Dog World to learn more about options for holistic avenues, etc. in the December 2009 (yes, 2009) issue.   Your pet needs as much now in their senior years, as when they were puppies.   Be the best you can be for them!