For animation...ok..but u dont have to maintain a low res model for rigging and animation.U can build a high poly model and use a proxy model to animate it.Though I dont have a clear idea abt it.

and abt the UV's all the issues, all are not solved.Try to maintain same looking/same size looking/similar looking(i dont know how to keep up with wht im trying to say)...to avoid and kind of mis-adjustment.