Pet Loss Support Hotlines
Don't forget there a medications to help with symptoms like pain. Pain can be successfully managed. Please use them if can be. There is no reason to not use them to keep your pet with you as long as you can as long as Fido can still basically be Fido.
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When is it Time?
The decision regarding the euthanasia of a beloved pet
may be the most difficult decision one makes in one’s entire life;
obviously, the consequences are irrevocable. Whatever the decision is,
it should be one that you can always look back upon and know that the
best decision was made and that you would make the same decision over
again in the same situation.
So how do you know if it is time?
There are several criteria used in evaluating life quality and you
should consider them carefully.
- Is your pet eating?
Basically, quality life involves eating or at least interest in food. An
animal that is hungry has vitality that must be considered, though this
is not the only consideration.
- Is your pet
comfortable? The pet should be free of debilitating pains, cramps, aches
or even the psychological pain that comes from the development of
incontinence in an animal who has been housebroken for an entire life.
- Does
the pet still enjoy favorite activities? The elderly pet does not
necessarily need to continue chasing balls or jumping after discs but he
should enjoy sleeping comfortably, favorite resting spots, the company
of family, etc. You know your pet better than any one and only you can
truly answer these questions.
Dr. Alice Villalobos, the veterinarian who started Pawspice,
a quality of life program for terminal pets, has published a scoring
system for life quality called The HHHHHMM scale. The letters stand
for: Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More
Good Days than Bad.
Quality of Life Scale: The HHHHHMM Scale
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Pet caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine
the success of pawspice care. Score patients using a scale of 1 to 10.
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Score
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Criterion
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1-10
| HURT
- Adequate pain control, including breathing ability, is first and
foremost on the scale. Is the pet's pain successfully managed? Is oxygen
necessary? |
1-10
| HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the patient require a feeding tube? |
1-10
| HYDRATION
- Is the patient dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough, use
subcutaneous fluids once or twice daily to supplement fluid intake. |
1-10
| HYGIENE - The patient should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after elimination. Avoid pressure sores and keep all wounds clean. |
1-10
| HAPPINESS
- Does the pet express joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to
things around him or her (family, toys, etc.)? Is the pet depressed,
lonely, anxious, bored or afraid? Can the pet's bed be close to the
family activities and not be isolated? |
1-10
| MOBILITY
- Can the patient get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or
mechanical help (e.g., a cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a
walk? Is the pet having seizures or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel
euthanasia is preferable to amputation, yet an animal who has limited
mobility but is still alert and responsive can have a good quality of
life as long as caregivers are committed to helping the pet.) |
1-10
| MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD
- When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be
compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible, the
caregiver must be made aware the end is near. The decision needs to be
made if the pet is suffering. If death comes peacefully and painlessly,
that is okay. |
*TOTAL
| *A total over 35 points represents acceptable life quality |
Adapted
by Villalobos, A.E., Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN,
09/2004, for Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology Honoring the
Human-Animal Bond, by Blackwell Publishing, Table 10.1, released 2006.
If
you are considering euthanasia, discuss the pet’s condition with your
veterinarian prior to making a decision or even coming in for an
appointment. Every veterinarian has a story or two about the pet that
was brought in for euthanasia but turned out to have a relatively simple
problem and ultimately achieved a complete recovery. |
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Visit these sites
for numbers, and additional support to help you with the loss of your
companion. Memorials, Stories and Information on how to cope with the grief
that will surely follow can all be found on these
pages.
University of Illinios Pet Loss Support Hotline
Washington State University Pet Loss Hotline
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/PLHL/
Grieving
Grief is a natural part of loss and
has predicable stages. Do not feel ashamed or embarrassed about grieving
for the loss of an animal. Our pets are beloved family members and
their loss is keenly felt. Still, it is important to realize that death
is a natural end to life and that love will always continue. There are
many resources available to assist in your grieving process.
The
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has a Pet Loss Support Program
that offers toll-free telephone support to callers. The hours are Monday
through Friday, from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm Pacific Standard Time.
1-800-565-1526
In addition, the following on-line areas may be helpful:
www.petloss.com
www.in-memory-of-pets.com/pet-loss.htm
www.pet-loss.net
www.aplb.org
I nearly lost it after my previous dog died suddenly. Don't be alone. Also don't feel guilty about your strong grief.
Dogs gave us everything unconditionally and were always there for us. When it's time, be there to say good bye while sedatives are given, then leave before final medications. Maybe prepay in advance.
