Caring for a pet is a wonderful, heartfelt experience that brings joy, laughter and friendship to the lives of many individuals and families. Dogs and cats hold a special place in the hearts of their human parents, and watching them grow throughout the years can be a fascinating, fulfilling experience. The responsibility of owning a pet is both wonderful and challenging, full of many joyous memories and a handful of sad ones. By far the most difficult and troubling duty of a pet owner is deciding when to end their pet’s life.
As a veterinary practice, one of our responsibilities is to guide pet owners through this decision-making process and provide proper health care for aging pets. One of the most important concepts for pet owners to understand and be able to assess is their pet’s individual quality of life (QOL). Our veterinarians are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating quality of life as part of patient care, from our very first encounter with each pet up to their final moments with their families. It is our responsibility to provide proper preventative care, make accurate and thorough diagnoses, and offer experiential advice and objective medical knowledge to pet owners when faced with decisions regarding pet health.
As members of the field of veterinary medicine, we are trained to assess quality of life. Every year, we are offered opportunities to brush up on our knowledge of end-of-life care and pet aging, as well as educational moments to learn more about recent research and changes to pet care standards. But as pet owners without veterinary training or licensing, you don’t have veterinary experts counseling you in the best ways to assess pet health. So how can you, as devoted pet parents, assess your pet’s QOL throughout the years —and most importantly, towards the end of their life?
Today we’d like to present you with information about how we assess quality of life in our patients, and suggest various factors to consider when trying to determine if and when your pet is ready to leave this world.
As a veterinary practice, one of our responsibilities is to guide pet owners through this decision-making process and provide proper health care for aging pets. One of the most important concepts for pet owners to understand and be able to assess is their pet’s individual quality of life (QOL). Our veterinarians are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating quality of life as part of patient care, from our very first encounter with each pet up to their final moments with their families. It is our responsibility to provide proper preventative care, make accurate and thorough diagnoses, and offer experiential advice and objective medical knowledge to pet owners when faced with decisions regarding pet health.
As members of the field of veterinary medicine, we are trained to assess quality of life. Every year, we are offered opportunities to brush up on our knowledge of end-of-life care and pet aging, as well as educational moments to learn more about recent research and changes to pet care standards. But as pet owners without veterinary training or licensing, you don’t have veterinary experts counseling you in the best ways to assess pet health. So how can you, as devoted pet parents, assess your pet’s QOL throughout the years —and most importantly, towards the end of their life?
Today we’d like to present you with information about how we assess quality of life in our patients, and suggest various factors to consider when trying to determine if and when your pet is ready to leave this world.
To begin, let’s briefly explore the meaning of “quality of life.” QOL in animals can be quite different than QOL in humans. All in all, we define a good quality of life in a pet as having more pleasant experiences and feelings than unpleasant ones. The goal is not necessarily to live longer (although life span is certainly taken into consideration) but to live the fullest, happiest and most comfortable life possible.
We have found that pet owners can benefit greatly by asking themselves questions about their pet’s health. Revisiting these questions and noting any changes to your answers will assist you in tracking and evaluating any changes in your pet’s QOL. Factors to consider include the following:
We have found that pet owners can benefit greatly by asking themselves questions about their pet’s health. Revisiting these questions and noting any changes to your answers will assist you in tracking and evaluating any changes in your pet’s QOL. Factors to consider include the following:
Mental Health & Stimulation
- Is your pet able to engage both mentally and physically?
- Do they choose to engage when presented with opportunities?
- Does your pet ever seem confused or disoriented?
- Do they appear to enjoy normal play activities?
- Conversely, do they still dislike the same things? For example, if your pet always barks at the delivery driver, does he still show the same aversion to drivers today, or does he act disinterested when packages or mail are delivered?
Provide options for social interaction with other humans and pets, engaging activities like fetch and “treasure hunts,” and time in new environments through walks and other outings.
Physical Health
- Has your pet been diagnosed with a medical condition?
When caring for pets with one or more health conditions, we first try to treat the disease. Unfortunately, not all diseases can be cured; however, our approach with many conditions (eg. degenerative joint disease and kidney disease) is to slow the progression of the disease, alleviate any pain or discomfort, and do our best to ensure that the pet remains happy and comfortable as time passes.
- As a pet parent, do you understand the symptoms your pet may feel due to their disease state?
- Has your vet explained to you how your pet’s condition will progress, and the various options for treatment?
- Does your pet have the same opportunities to enjoy life and its experiences, or are they limited by their condition to the point that they have little to no joyful experiences anymore?
Mobility
Arthritis is almost inevitable in aging pets, and so is a frequent consideration in end-of-life care and QOL assessments.
- Can your pet still stand up and sit down on their own?
- Can they go up and down stairs, and do they need to?
- If they aren’t as mobile as before, can you provide them with eating, resting and play areas that are within their reach?
- If their mobility is declining, are you physically capable of helping them move about?
- Do you have time and energy to care for a pet with limited mobility?
Food Intake
- Does your pet still have a good appetite?
- Do they act like they still enjoy food?
- Do they eat and drink normally?
- Have they grown pickier recently, or started to refuse foods that they would otherwise enjoy?
Pain
Many pet owners understand that pain is perceived differently by animals than it is by humans. In fact, some veterinarians believe that physical pain is less important to a pet’s quality of life than emotional/mental pain. The idea behind this theory is that pets experiencing anxiety, stress or fear are much more distressed than pets who are experiencing a physical pain (with some exceptions, of course). Just as with every other factor relating to quality of life, we need to consider each pet’s individual symptoms and tolerance rather than generalizing across species.
As a pet-owner, it will be helpful for you to become familiar with signs that your pet may be in pain. Symptoms of pain may include:
As a pet-owner, it will be helpful for you to become familiar with signs that your pet may be in pain. Symptoms of pain may include:
- increased vocalization (in cats, especially)
- hiding or spending time in unusual places
- increased or decreased desire for affection
- panting
- restlessness/pacing
Social Functions
- Does your pet still try to spend the same amount of time with you and your family?
- Do they act withdrawn or try to isolate themselves from other pets or people?
- Do they interact normally with their human and animal companions?
Stress
- Does your pet act fearful?
- Has your pet suffered from anxiety, or is your pet recently starting to act more anxious or restless?
- Does your pet seem lonely?
Pampering our pets through social interaction, companionship, and human contact can help to relieve any stress and improve QOL.
Your Pet's Personality
- Will your pet tolerate the treatment/management plan recommended by your veterinarian?
- As the disease progresses, is your pet able to tolerate symptoms associated with their condition?
- Can your pet receive treatment and still remain happy?
- Will treatment affect your relationship with your pet in a negative way?
Your Beliefs
As your pet’s caregiver, you make the final decisions surrounding their health and wellbeing.
- Can you meet your pet's needs as they age?
- Can you tolerate the treatment plan recommended by your veterinarian?
- Does your lifestyle support the amount and type of care that your pet needs now, and will need in the future?
How do you envision your pet’s final moments on Earth? Does your pet pass away while sleeping, or does your plan include in-home humane euthanasia? Do you feel anxiety about any of the following?
- Your pet suffering
- Your ability to provide nursing care for your pet
- Your pet passing away while alone
- Not recognizing the right time to say goodbye to your pet
- Coping with the loss of your pet
- How other household animals or family members will feel after your pet has passed away
Evaluating any stress or anxiety that you have about these topics will help you to discover your values and the main concerns you have about your pet’s passing.
Your Budget
A budget isn’t just financial. You also need to consider your time, and physical/emotional constraints.
- Can you afford medications and other treatment approaches?
- Do you have enough time to properly care for your pet?
- Are you physically and emotionally healthy enough to care for your pet?
Remember that each pet is unique, and enhancing your pet’s QOL will require an individualized approach. As a pet-owner, you know your pet’s needs, wants, and behaviors better than any other person. For this very reason, it is critical that you and any other close household members be involved in the quality of life conversation and plan.
It’s very important that you consider your pet’s physical health when trying to maximize QOL, to make sure that your attempts are successful. For example, a pet with advanced arthritis may not do well on long walks every day, but the mental stimulation and sheer joy that your pet experiences while out walking may warrant shorter walking episodes on a consistent basis. Pets in end stages of conditions like chronic kidney disease may prefer rest and quiet times with their close family rather than periods of mental stimulation and engagement with other animals. Assessing QOL and determining the best methods for maximizing QOL in your pet’s final years, months, and days will depend largely on your pet’s specific physical and mental health.
Your veterinarian plays a prominent role in the QOL assessment process. At House Paws, we encourage our clients to ask questions like the many that are listed above, and to notify us of any and all changes and concerns that our clients have. Your pets are so important to us, and we believe it is our responsibility to be there for you and for them throughout their entire lifespan. Pets at the end of their lives are like newborns in that they require more diligent and attentive care. Caring for an aging pet is a time-consuming task that places high demands on pet owners’ time, energy and emotions. Just remember that we are here for you. Lean on us. Look to our veterinarians, technicians and staff as sources of support, knowledge and advice. Whether it be replying to an email in which you list your concerns and questions or stopping by for an in-home quality of life assessment, we are here to help with this decision-making process. And when the decision has been made and you know in your heart that it is time to say goodbye to your pet, we want nothing more than to be with you during those final peaceful moments to help your family member cross the rainbow bridge.
It’s very important that you consider your pet’s physical health when trying to maximize QOL, to make sure that your attempts are successful. For example, a pet with advanced arthritis may not do well on long walks every day, but the mental stimulation and sheer joy that your pet experiences while out walking may warrant shorter walking episodes on a consistent basis. Pets in end stages of conditions like chronic kidney disease may prefer rest and quiet times with their close family rather than periods of mental stimulation and engagement with other animals. Assessing QOL and determining the best methods for maximizing QOL in your pet’s final years, months, and days will depend largely on your pet’s specific physical and mental health.
Your veterinarian plays a prominent role in the QOL assessment process. At House Paws, we encourage our clients to ask questions like the many that are listed above, and to notify us of any and all changes and concerns that our clients have. Your pets are so important to us, and we believe it is our responsibility to be there for you and for them throughout their entire lifespan. Pets at the end of their lives are like newborns in that they require more diligent and attentive care. Caring for an aging pet is a time-consuming task that places high demands on pet owners’ time, energy and emotions. Just remember that we are here for you. Lean on us. Look to our veterinarians, technicians and staff as sources of support, knowledge and advice. Whether it be replying to an email in which you list your concerns and questions or stopping by for an in-home quality of life assessment, we are here to help with this decision-making process. And when the decision has been made and you know in your heart that it is time to say goodbye to your pet, we want nothing more than to be with you during those final peaceful moments to help your family member cross the rainbow bridge.
