It can be difficult to think about a time when your beloved pet won’t be around anymore. If your pet is experiencing a lower quality of life than normal, it could be time to consider allowing them to peacefully pass away. Knowing that we cannot have them with us forever makes these decisions even more difficult. Our veterinary team will support you to make the best choice for both you and your pet.
What affects my pet’s quality of life?
Quality of life means your pet’s overall wellbeing, including how they’re doing physically and mentally. The important thing to consider is if your pet has more bad days than good. Your pet’s quality of life is affected by how much pain they’re experiencing, their ability to do things independently, the severity of their illness and if it will worsen overtime. Questions that will help you determine your pet’s current quality of life include:
- Is your pet eating and drinking normally?
- Can they relieve themselves on their own? Are they incontinent (having accidents)?
- Can your pet move around on his or her own? Do they move without pain?
- Is your pet interested in the family activities around him or her?
- Do they still enjoy being with you?
- Are they sleeping more than usual? Do they sleep all the time?
How does your veterinary team provide support?
Our veterinary team will focus on your pet’s quality of life to help you determine the best decision for your family. By focusing on your pet’s quality of life, we are able to assist you in making decisions with their best interests at heart. We exhaust every option before recommending euthanasia, including educating you on all the treatment options available. We deeply empathize with you as you decide if euthanasia is the right decision for you. Nothing can prepare you for the loss of your pet, regardless of if they’ve had a long battle with a disease or if you need to unexpectedly make this decision. Our staff is dedicated to guiding you through this process with nothing but compassion and respect. Our comfort room offers privacy and a non-clinical environment to make the process as comfortable as possible.
