Hospice care
Hearing those dreaded words “nothing else can be done” for your pet does not mean that euthanasia is the only option you have left. Veterinary hospice care is a unique approach to your pet’s end-of-life needs. This family-centered service is dedicated to maintaining comfort and quality of life for the terminally ill or geriatric pet until natural death occurs or the family elects peaceful euthanasia. It is appropriate if your pet has been diagnosed with an incurable illness or if further therapy options have been declined in lieu of comfort-oriented care.
Hospice care revolves around the client-patient-doctor relationship. Education about your pet’s medical condition is the most important aspect of hospice care. You need to know what to expect in those last few weeks, days, and hours in order to make the best decision for you, your pet, and your family. Although we cannot know for sure, we use our medical knowledge to help you make those decisions. We assist you in implementing a hospice care plan for your dog or cat that will meet your pet’s needs and respect your family’s wishes.
There are many things that can be done at home to help your pet be more comfortable for as long as possible in the end-of-life stages which includes, but is not limited to:
- Education about the end-stage disease process
- Pain recognition and treatment
- Intravenous and subcutaneous fluids
- Supplementary nutrition and supplements
- Management of incontinence
- Bandage and wound care
We all want to provide the highest quality end of life care for our loved ones. That is why the In Home Pet Vet doctors and staff will work with you during this difficult transition to offer complete hospice and palliative care in the comfort of your home and help you assess when it is appropriate to consider compassionate euthanasia. At each step, we provide the best possible care for your companion, helping support you through this challenging time.