![]() But keep in mind the adage that veterinarians who specialize in end-of-life care believe to be all too true, “Better a week too early than an hour too late.” Alternatives to euthanasia Know that if you make an appointment for euthanasia and your dog rallies, you can always reschedule. When euthanasia is thought of in this way, it becomes obvious that there is no one right time to proceed. The goal of euthanasia is both to relieve and prevent suffering in other words, to maximize the good and minimize the bad. If your pet is in pain, your main goal should be to minimize his suffering. If you observe that moments of discomfort outweigh their capacity to enjoy life, it is time to euthanize, even if your pet still experiences pleasure in eating or socializing. Observing and keeping an accurate record of your pet in their daily activities can help you to decide. Information from medical tests is often more accurate than what a pet owner can observe, and pet owners often delay the moment of euthanasia in anticipation of grief. ![]() ![]() If you find that your pet is having more bad days than good, it may be time to think about euthanasia and end-of-life care.Your veterinarian is the best person to advise you on when the time is right to euthanize. Download the chart below to log your pet’s daily quality of life using the indicators above. Since pets can have “good” and “bad” days, it can be helpful to assess your pet’s quality of life daily over a period of time. They are likely suffering and it is highly recommended that you speak with your veterinarian about end of life preparations. If the total score is 9-12, your pet’s quality of life is significantly compromised. You should speak with your veterinarian about the options available for making your pet more comfortable. If the total score is 5 or less your pet has a good quality of life.Ī score of 6-8 suggests a diminished quality of life. Pain 0 = Pet is comfortable 1 = Pet has some discomfort pet may pant more than usual, be less mobile or have a decreased appetite 2 = Pet is painful whines or cries, lays in the same place or is hesitant to go out for walksĮnjoyment 0 = Pet still shows interest in their favorite things 1 = Pet is showing less interest in the things they enjoy 2 = Pet shows no interest in their favorite things Toileting 0 = Pet is urinating and defecating normally 1 = Pet has irregular bowel movements or urination 2 = Pet has frequent accidents in the house or is soiling themselves or is not having any bowel movements Mobility 0 = Pet can get around well on their own 1 = Pet has difficulty getting up, going up and down steps and/or posturing to urinate and/or defecate 2 = Pet is generally non-ambulatory, needs assistance walking or has pain that isn’t well managed with the use of anti-inflammatory or pain medications normally barks whenever someone is at the door, but has stopped doing so) or has suddenly become more aggressive 2 = Pet is dull/depressed, minimally responsive to stimuli or unaware of their surroundings has minimal interaction with family members or pets Requires assistance eating, such as hand feeding, tempting (with toppers, human food or treats) or the use of an appetite stimulant 2 = Pet isn’t eating at allīehavior/Sociability 0 = Pet is bright, alert, aware of their surroundings and interacts normally with family members and other pets in the household 1 = Pet is interacting less with family members and/or other pets, acting out of character (ie. Nutrition 0 = Pet is eating and drinking normally 1 = Pet is eating and drinking but less than normal. Record the scores in the accompanying chart. Using the scale provided, please rate each category, then add up the total to get your pet’s current quality of life score. Pet quality of life assessment and daily activity chartĮach category below represents one of the factors that make up a pet’s quality of life.
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