Our Featured Services

VETERINARY HOSPICE CARE AND IN HOME EUTHANASIA

What is veterinary hospice care?

Veterinary Hospice Care  provides end of life services to terminally ill or dying dogs and cats.  These services provide the pet palliative care.  It allows the pet to spend quality time with its loved ones, under adequate pain control, until the owner is able to make a decision regarding euthanasia or until death occurs.

What pets are qualified for hospice care?

A qualified veterinarian will access the physical condition of the animal to determine if hospice care is needed.  The animal must meet one or more of the following conditions:  has less than 6 months to live, has a progressive disease that severly limits quality of life,  exhibits chronic weight loss, pain, diffuculty breathing, or has some other symptom that indicates clinical decline.

What to expect.

Hospice care for animals is time consuming for both the animal family members as well as the veterinary hospice team.  Every member of the family/veterinary team must be committed to the comfort of the animal.  Communication is very important.  Prior to beginning hospice care, a comprehensive physical exam and case review by a qualified veterinarian will be performed. The severity of the animal's illness or condition and the expected outcome will be discussed.  The client will be interviewed and his/her needs and wants will be assessed.  After a careful assessment is made, a palliative treatment plan and schedule will be discussed with the client.  All fees will be discussed and agreed upon before beginning hospice service.

Clients/caregivers will be instructed on appropriate administration of drugs and other necessary care and will be given instruction on accessing pain.  Daily, weekly, bimonthly and monthly home visits or clinic visits will be necessary to help access the patients condition, pain control and organ system failure and to determine how the family is coping.  Visits may be made by a licensed veterinarian or technician.

In home euthanasia and care of animal remains.

Euthanasia services can be performed at home for hospice and non-hospice patients or in the clinic comfort room.  Family members and their pets are invited to be present for the euthanasia if they so desire. Animal remains may be sent for individual cremation or communal cremation or may be buried at home. Routine animal remain disposal can also be discussed.  A veterinary team member will be available to help assess a patients need for euthanasia 24 hours a day.  Referral to a mental health professional trained in grief and bereavement is available.  Several free websites and grief support hot-lines are also available.