WHEN IT’S TIME TO GO....

Almost everyone who has a companion animal will – at one time – be confronted with this traumatising issue. We ask ourselves, our vets and even our pet "How will I know when it's time." When an animal is very sick an open discussion between family members and your vet is a must. One "scale" that helped making the decision for our own animals we recommend is this:

Rate your pet's day on a scale of 1(worst) to 5(best). Criteria might be: eating/drinking normally, resting comfortably, activity level, comfort level (for example: are they able to move about on their own, or do you have to help them walk/go up & down stairs, etc), do they still have control of bowels/bladder, are they maintaining their weight, etc. When the 1s outnumber the 5s, it's time...

Sometimes we feel that our pets let us know. Many pet owners experienced that "look" from our pets that says “please, it's time...”

Quality of Life Scale

Every Pet Caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine the success of the provided end of life care pets. Score the quality of care your animal friend receives by using a scale of 1 to 10.

Score for each Criterion:

H: 0 - 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?

H: 0 - 10 HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the patient require a feeding tube?

H: 0 - 10 HYDRATION - Is the patient dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough, subcutaneous fluids once or twice daily to supplement fluid intake are necessary.

H: 0 - 10 HYGIENE - The patient should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after elimination. Avoid pressure sores and keep all wounds clean.

H: 0 - 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?

M: 0 - 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 with limited mobility but still alert and responsive can have a good quality of life as long as caregivers are committed to helping the pet.)

M: 0 - 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 of 35 points and above is acceptable for a good “end of life care” for your pet

Adapted by Villalobos, A.E., Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN,09/2004, for Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology Honouring the Human-Animal Bond, by Blackwell Publishing, Table 10.1, released 2006.