It's Woof Woof Wednesday, and today sweet angel pup Astrid allowed herself to take a bit of a backseat for the sake of her kitty pal Trapper.
That said, Trapper is headed to the vet today because he's been having some health issues. It started a little over a month ago with a bald, sore patch on his head beside his left ear, and he was treated for an ear infection as well as a skin infection. At the time, he also had bloodwork done that showed a bit of anemia, and he was a bit dehydrated. He's been seen twice since then, with what seemed like a stubborn ear infection, with hair loss around his ears.
Again, Trapper's vet will examine him, do testing, and make any necessary diagnoses. But, though we of course don't want Trapper to have an autoimmune disease, this could be a better outcome than certain other illnesses. Trapper was diagnosed with diabetes 3 years ago, and he's on the pill Bexacat for treatment of that. I mention this because the main treatment for many autoimmune issues is steroids, a fact that doesn't really mix well with diabetes. Trapper's vet has already said that if Trapper does have an autoimmune disorder, steroids might be necessary, even if a low dose for a short time. There are also non-steroidal immunosuppressant options, though, so there's hope. Assuming that's what Trapper is suffering from, of course.
I will also note that Trapper has noticeably lost weight, as well as muscle, and his coat has gotten increasingly unkempt. That has me, and of course my parents as well as my sister, very worried. He clearly has something going on with his skin, but it could be a secondary thing because of something else going on. I want to be hopeful, but I also want to be realistic.
Since September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, we'll be finishing out the month on this topic. Today's tip relates to how our furbabies might let us know they are in pain. This can be a bit difficult sometimes, as cats and even dogs can be very good at hiding pain. This is why we must be very observant of our furbabies on a regular basis, in order to know when they aren't acting themselves.
What's more, if your furbaby does indeed have difficulty jumping due to an injury or arthritis, for example, you can put pet stairs or a pet ramp beside chairs, couches, or beds in the home. This can help your kitty or pup better reach elevated areas without having to jump, which could otherwise exacerbate pain associated with an injury or arthritis. For a cat, another way to help them combat pain and discomfort is to give them litter boxes with low sides, so that they can easily walk right in. Or, you can also give them a ramp or stairs leading up to the entrance of the litter box, if needed. If it helps reduce pain associated with certain injuries, arthritis, or other ailments, you can also elevate your kitty or pup's food and water bowls.
Another simple way to help a pained furbaby feel some relief and comfort is by way of their beds and blankets. You can offer extra soft and thick beds, and in easy to reach locations. Some forms of pain are also alleviated by heat, which means that safe, pet-friendly heated blankets or heated beds could also be of use. Of course, you would need to take all necessary safety precautions when using any heated or electric products.
In more extreme cases, your furbaby might be in need of direct assistance with their mobility. If need be, you can use various forms of slings to help your kitty or pup ambulate. You can use a towel or blanket to create a makeshift sling, for example. Another option is to purchase a sling, or a harness with handles, which are indeed available on the market.
It is not easy to see our furbabies in pain. At the same time, it is not easy for them to feel such pain. That's why it is important to do what you can to alleviate your kitty or pup's pain, even if that means a bit of redecorating within your home.
