Pet Aging, Illness and Loss
BJ Miller and veterinarian Mary Gardner co-host a discussion on what to expect and plan for as your pets age. Our animals are part of our family, and when they get older, or sick, and die it's hard on us and we need time to discuss and navigate these losses. This discussion is for all types of animals, and includes concepts of grief and loss after a pet dies.
We discuss:
0:00 Introductions
3:32 Recognizing the significance of our animals in our lives: how have connections and roles changed over time? Moving for work animal to a member of the family
9:16 What is “quality of life” for an animal? It’s difficult to figure out - getting a diagnosis is a good place to start. Ask your vet about “quality of life” vs. treatments
25:20 What is the quality of life for the family caring for an aging animal? How much time and effort is being put into caring for your animal?
32:20 Grieving the death of a pet, but also recognizing anticipatory grief
35:40 It’s OK to feel ambiance about euthanizing your animal. It’s about getting the best days, and less days of suffering
39:25 When do say goodbye? Do animals have a sense of their own upcoming death?
43:40 Thinking about Hospice for animals
46:18 Attendee share: experience of caring for an aging animal on your own
51:10 Attendee question: if you have two pets at home and one is euthanized in a hospital, is it helpful for the other pet to see it’s companion?
55:00 Attendee question: do animals always show pain that they might be feeling? or do they have a tendency to hide signs of suffering or pain?
01:00:31 Attendee question: how to bring up a pet’s death with another person when you’re worried about how the person will live without the beloved animal?