Pet End-Of-Life Care

You have probably heard of hospice care for humans. It is something that is offered to patients with a life-limiting or terminal illness that is designed to improve the quality of the life that they have remaining. As considerate and committed animal lovers and veterinarians, we believe that our pets deserve the same courtesy.

What exactly will be included in your pet’s hospice care will depend on their individual requirements. However, typically you can expect the care provided to have some of the following:

• Nutritional support
• Maintaining adequate hydration (may involve IV and SQ fluids if your pet is no longer drinking of his or her own accord)
• Keeping your pet clean and properly groomed
• Ensuring your pet can move around their environment safely.
• Administering pain medication and any other medication that is necessary or beneficial, such as anti-nausea drugs
• Mental stimulation
• Love and attention
• Consultations with a veterinarian if and when needed

Choosing to give your terminally ill and suffering pet a pain-free, peaceful passing is often the kindest act you can do for your pet. Yet making this decision is usually the hardest of all. How do you know that it is the best thing for your pet? Many owners live hoping that their pet’s condition will naturally improve, but this is very rarely the case. Instead, their quality of life will continue to deteriorate – something which can be unbearable to watch. Some things to think about when you are considering euthanasia for your pet include:

• Can they eat, drink, sleep and move around reasonably comfortably?
• Do they still respond to people around them?
• Are they interested in food, or have they been refusing to eat for some time?

The persistent refusal of food, chronic pain, distress or discomfort, and respiratory problems are all common denominators amongst animals who are considered for euthanasia. However, you and your family know your pet better than anyone else. The process itself is very straightforward and involves giving your pet an injection containing an overdose of anesthetic into a vein. To make this process as stress-free as possible we often offer sedatives while you and your family gather around and share fond memories and share all of your love. The tiny prick of the needle is barely noticeable, and your pet will quickly become unconscious. From this point, any chronic pain that they would usually feel is gone, and within a few minutes or so, their heart will stop beating, and they will slip away.

If you prefer for this service to be performed in your home, we recommend using one of our area’s best mobile veterinary services. They will help navigate your end-of-life care journey and honor the bond you have with your pet with compassion, grace, and dignity.

Learn more about our partnering veterinarians at Lap of Love.