By restyourpaws | January 26, 2025
Progression of Disease: What to Expect
Submitted by Rest Your Paws
For a PDF of this resource, click here.
When a pet is diagnosed with a chronic, recurrent or terminal disease, one of the most challenging
aspects is not knowing how it will impact their well-being or progress over time.
The fear of the unknown can leave us feeling hopeless and with no sense of control.
Whilst we may not be able to stop or reverse the disease process, having a plan and knowing what to expect can alleviate anxiety and anticipatory grief. It also enables you to enjoy the good days, prepare for the bad days and make informed decisions. This includes managing symptoms and supporting your pet’s well-being, prioritising their physical and mental health.
If you are feeling lost after a diagnosis or want further advice on your pet’s care, reach out to your veterinarian or
our team for further guidance and support.
The below graph shows how common diseases can progress and impact quality of life in pets.
Cancer
Cancer progression varies based on its type, location, invasiveness, and the treatment plan. However, most pets
with cancer tend to follow a similar trajectory: they often continue their usual routines with minimal symptoms
until their quality of life sharply declines. At this stage, they may stop eating, avoid movement, breathe rapidly or with difficulty, seek isolation, or lose interest in family interactions. Unfortunately, a recovery is unlikely once these signs appear, and saying goodbye at this point can be a compassionate choice to prevent suffering.
What Do Pet Owners Often Experience?
For those aware of their pet’s cancer diagnosis, the sudden progression of their condition can still come as a shock, often leaving you in disbelief.
For those who were unaware, it’s natural to feel guilty for not recognising they were unwell. In many cases, the decline occurs so quickly – sometimes in just a few days – that it can feel overwhelming and leave owners struggling to process what’s happening.
Organ Failure
The trajectory of organ failure is usually more variable and less predictable. Kidney, liver and heart failure are sadly common in our pets, especially with animals now living such long lives.
As depicted in the graph (or visual aid), pets with organ failure often experience many ups and downs throughout the course of their disease with a gradual overall decline over time.
After an episode of decline, pets can temporarily improve, but will never regain their original level of health from before their episode.
What Do Pet Owners Often Experience?
Caring for a pet with organ failure can feel like an emotional roller coaster, with symptoms constantly waxing and waning as your pet ‘crashes’ and ‘rebounds,’ often requiring multiple vet visits. Deciding when to say goodbye is challenging, as pet parents naturally hope for one more recovery. This can delay the decision and lead to discomfort for the pet. Maintaining regular communication with your vet can provide valuable guidance and support, helping you better prepare for the final goodbye.
Physical & Cognitive Frailty
Physical and cognitive frailty refers to conditions like arthritis and dementia.
These impairments are arguably the biggest subtractor of quality of life in pets. As these chronic conditions advance, pets may endure persistent pain, restricted mobility, sensory loss, confusion, and stress, leading to a gradual decline over months or years.
You may struggle to recall the last time they played, eagerly greeted you at the door, or had a good night’s sleep. This gradual decline can unfold without obvious highs or lows – just a steady, slow progression.
What Do Pet Owners Often Experience?
Remember, age itself is not an illness, and our pets deserve comfort in their senior years. However, ageing often brings gradual physical and cognitive changes that can affect behaviour, sometimes so subtly that they go unnoticed until someone else points them out. This realisation can lead to feelings of guilt, as you may wonder if more could have been done. With such a slow decline, making end-of-life decisions becomes especially challenging, as clear signs to guide you may be lacking.
No matter the path your pet’s journey takes, we understand that the decision to euthanise your beloved companion is never easy. Recognising the trajectory your pet may be on can help you better understand when this step might be needed, reducing some of the uncertainty and emotional shock.
For a PDF of this resource, click here.
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