Palliative care is common in the veterinary field, but did you know that some veterinary centers or hospitals also provide animal hospice care?
Hospice care is a known service provided in the human health field, and its goal is to provide designated palliative care to terminally ill patients. It focuses on providing care, comfort, and quality of life for the patient, and also support for the loved ones of the patient, especially the primary caregivers.
In the veterinary industry, euthanasia is usually the option that veterinarians will advise for when it comes to terminally ill patients such as cancer, end stage kidney, liver, heart diseases, and so on. The goal of euthanasia is to end suffering when the pet patient is no longer able to live a good quality of life. The challenge lies therein when pet owners struggle to make that understandably difficult decision.
Pets are our family members. It is not easy for a pet owner to come to terms with a terminal disease diagnosis and the treatment it requires as they juggle work, personal life, and veterinary clinic visits (along with infamous city traffic) on a daily basis. Sometimes, it can be frustrating too when their ill pets will not eat nor cooperate with taking the required medications. Other times, pet owners may struggle with the remorse that kicks in after an episode of frustration at their pet.
The veterinary hospice care team exists to help with these emotional struggles.
Our hospice care incorporates joint efforts between veterinarians and healthcare personnel to keep pet patients as pain-free as possible, warm, comfortable, clean, and well-fed until the very end. Most importantly, they offer the love, care, and gentle hands for pets that owners are unable to provide round-the-clock with their hectic working schedules. The focus is on providing comfort and care in the least stressful possible environment, as well as medical attention as needed. Most of the time this involves feeding tubes to facilitate stress-free administration of food and medication for the patient, which contrary to what pet owners might think, it is not as uncomfortable as it looks, and many patients tolerate feeding tubes very well. The goal ultimately is to allow pet owners to still be able to manage their life and work, in addition to filling the last few weeks or months with their beloved pet with happy memories. Having a hospice care team would reduce the stress built on the owner-pet relationship, allowing both parties to enjoy each other’s company until the patient’s last breath.
As veterinarians and pet owners ourselves, we understand how painful it can be to watch your pet suffering in those last moments. It is extremely emotional, and decisions can be difficult. We are here to provide that emotional support as well, and also to let you know just when you need to be there for your pet at the very end.
If you would like to find out more about our team’s hospice care, please make an appointment at Kota Damansara Veterinary Centre (03-6143 5988) to discuss yours and your pet’s needs.
“To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always” -Edward Livingston Trudeau-