Guide for Providing Palliative Care to Aging Dogs

Guide for Providing Palliative Care to Aging Dogs

In a heart-wrenching moment, many dog owners learn their beloved pet's condition is beyond treatment. In such situations, euthanasia might seem like the only option, but there's an alternative — dog hospice care. This compassionate, end-of-life option focuses on providing comfort and dignity for your four-legged friend during their final days. Even though it's a relatively new concept, its popularity is rapidly growing [1][2].

Navigating the world of dog hospice care can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with a plethora of emotions. Fortunately, your vet can be a valuable source of support and guidance during this challenging time. Here's a simple, yet helpful guide to approaching the conversation with your vet about dog hospice care.

What is Dog Hospice Care?

Dog hospice care takes inspiration from human hospice care but has its unique characteristics. Consulting with Dr. Robin Downing, DVM, Hospital Director at The Downing Center for Animal Pain Management in Windsor, Colorado, clarifies some distinctions. One essential difference is the role of euthanasia in dog hospice care. Unlike human hospice care, veterinary medicine includes euthanasia as part of the care plan [1].

It's important to note that this doesn't mean euthanasia is imminent when opting for dog hospice care. As Dr. Elke Rudloff, DVM, a Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Specialist with BluePearl Pet Hospice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, explains, there's no specific time frame established for dog hospice care. It can last for many months or even just a day [1].

Unlike traditional veterinary care, dog hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life for the pet, with a focus on symptom management and ongoing support for the family [3].

Services Offered by Dog Hospice Care

Dog hospice providers typically offer a range of services, albeit they can vary from one provider to another. Here are some general categories of services they may provide:

1. Pain management: Medications and alternative therapies like acupuncture, heat therapy, and hydrotherapy are used to relieve pain and other symptoms [1][3].
2. Assistance with mobility and hygiene: Ramps, harnesses, and specialized tools may be provided to help dogs with mobility issues as they navigate their final days [3].
3. Nutritional support and hydration: Staff work to ensure dogs have an appropriate diet and drink sufficient water, and veterinarians often prescribe custom diets and nutritional supplements [1].
4. Emotional and grief support: Dog hospices may offer resources for grieving pet parents, such as grief counselors, therapists, and pet loss support groups [3].

Choosing the Right Dog Hospice Care Provider

Selecting the right dog hospice care provider can be challenging, but the process is made easier with your vet's guidance. Consider the following tips when selecting a pet hospice provider:

1. Consult with your primary care veterinarian, who may have a team in-house or can refer you to a trusted provider [3].
2. Research online and check reviews, keeping in mind that a single negative review doesn't necessarily mean the provider is subpar [3].
3. Prioritize providers that are compassionate, confident, and respectful of your beliefs, and have trained medical staff available around the clock [3].
4. Consider providers that offer in-home assessments when your pet can no longer travel comfortably, and those offering virtual consultations if necessary [3].

In the world of dog hospice care, there's one critical element to consider: the burden on the caregiver. To make an informed decision, discuss your pet's condition and the care requirements with your vet, using quality-of-life scales like those developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos or Dr. Lap of Love [4].

Embracing Dog Hospice Care: The Right Decision for Your Pet

Ultimately, the decision about whether to use end-of-life care for your dog rests with you and your family. No one single decision works for every situation. Work with a trusted veterinarian who can guide you through this process, keeping in mind key indicators that might suggest it's time for dog hospice care: chronic illness, incurable conditions, severe pain, difficulty eating, drinking, or moving comfortably, inability to breathe easily, inability to urinate or go to the bathroom [4].

Embrace this opportunity to honor your beloved dog with the best care during this delicate phase of their life. After all, in the words of Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer at the American Kennel Club, dogs live in the present, cherishing each moment without being bogged down by future possibilities or disappointments [5].

REFERENCES

1. Shanan, A. and Shearer, T. (2023). What Is Animal Hospice and Palliative Care?. In Hospice and Palliative Care for Companion Animals (eds A. Shanan, J. Pierce, and T. Shearer). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119808817.ch2
2. Kanda, S. (2024, May). Pet Hospice in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029). IBIS World. Retrieved from https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/industry/pet-hospice/6410/
3. Rudloff, E., & Thompson, R. (2016). What is pet hospice?. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 46(4), 627-634. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.cvsm.2016.05.007
4. Villalobos, A. (2004). Palliative Care for Our Geriatric Companions –A Quality-Of-Life Scale Today, a Vision for the Future. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 40(10), 1301-1309. https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA.40.10.1301
5. Klein, J. (2021). Making Informed Decisions About the Quality of Life for Your Geriatric Dog. American Kennel Club. Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/making-informed-decisions-about-the-quality-of-life-for-your-geriatric-dog/

Enrichment Data:

The primary objective of dog hospice care is to provide comfort and maintain the quality of life for pets facing terminal illnesses or advanced age, rather than curing the condition. It focuses on managing pain, ensuring dignity, and supporting the pet's emotional well-being during the end-of-life process. Dog hospice care services include:

• Pain Management
• Supportive Care
• Emotional Support

Traditional veterinary care, on the other hand, aims to diagnose and treat medical conditions, often focusing on curing or managing the disease to extend the pet's life. Its services encompass:

• Diagnostic and Treatment Services
• Preventive Care
• Emergency Services.

In the realm of science and health-and-wellness, it's essential to understand the compassionate approach of dog hospice care during a pet's end-of-life journey. This alternative care option, inspired by human hospice care, prioritizes comfort, pain management, and quality of life for pets, providing emotional support for their families as well [3]. Compared to traditional veterinary care, which primarily aims at diagnosis, treatment, and disease management, dog hospice care offers unique services like pain management, supportive care, and emotional support to ensure the pet's dignity and well-being [1][3].

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