End of Life Pet Care
A difficult decision.
When a pet’s quality of life deteriorates to the point where they experience more bad days than good days, you may be faced with the difficult decision regarding whether to choose euthanasia.
Quality of Life Scale (The HHHHHMM Scale) Pet caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine the success of at home care. Score patients using a scale of: 0 to 10 (10 being ideal). Score Criterion 0-10
1. HURT - Adequate pain control & breathing ability is of top concern. Trouble breathing outweighs all concerns. Is the pet's pain well managed? Can the pet breathe properly? Is oxygen supplementation necessary? 0-10
2. HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? 0-10
3. HYDRATION - Is the pet dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough water, 0-10
4. HYGIENE - The pet should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after eliminations. Avoid pressure sores with soft bedding and keep all wounds clean. 0-10
5. HAPPINESS - Does the pet express joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to family, toys, etc.? Is the pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or afraid? Can the pet's bed be moved to be close to family activities? 0-10
6. MOBILITY - Can the pet get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or mechanical help (e.g., a cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a walk? Is the pet having seizures or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable to amputation, but an animal with limited mobility yet still alert, happy and responsive can have a good quality of life as long as caregivers are committed to helping their pet.) 0-10
7. MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD - When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be too compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware that the end is near. The decision for euthanasia needs to be made if the pet is suffering. If death comes peacefully and painlessly at home, that is okay.
A total over 35 points represents acceptable life quality to continue with pet hospice.
The same way we provide compassionate care for pets in their early days, we’re prepared to support you and provide end of life care for them during their last. As partners in your pet’s health, we’ll make sure you’re informed about all potential treatment options before you make a decision. We understand that making that kind of choice is never easy, but we promise to be there every step of the way.
Should you decide euthanasia is the right choice for your pet, we’ll prepare you for the process and answer any questions you may have about what’s going to happen. We hope you’ll find some comfort knowing our humane methods will ensure your pet is laid to rest peacefully. Euthansia can be scheduled in clinic or we can provide a list of local mobile veterinaians who can provide services in your home.
To determine the level of pain your pet maybe experiancing please check out this the follow links.
https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/canine-pain-scale.pdf
https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/12/feline-pain-scale.pdf
https://www.felinegrimacescale.com/
Coping with Pet Loss
Pets are family and losing them comes with the same grief as any other loss. If you’re struggling with grief following the loss of your pet, remember to:
- Give yourself time to mourn and cry
- Do your best to stick to your regular routine
- Talk about your feelings with family, friends, or even our hospital staff
- Memorialize your pet in a way that’s special to you
You can use these resources if you need additional support:
Please reach out to us at (707) 778-1011 if there’s anything we can do for you.
