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The objectives of Hospice
care are to:
- Minimize unnecessary patient
suffering
- Minimize unnecessary owner's
suffering
- Minimize unresolved grief
- Make loss and grief as
meaningful and positive part of the pet ownership experience
as possible.
Hospice care for pets is
an alternative to premature euthanasia. It is also an alternative
to prolonged suffering, either in the isolation of intensive
care or at home with inadequate treatment. Hospice's emphasis
on the dying pet's quality of life gives the family precious
quality time and helps them cope with the approaching death of
their pet.
Hospice care is initiated when a veterinarian or the pet's
family recognizes that the patient is terminal, and that hospice
care might be a better alternative than further attempts to cure.
Considering hospice care will come as a relief to some pet parents
who have already recognized the impending death of their pet.
Others may not yet be ready to face reality or give up hope for
a cure. Helping attached pet guardians choose between ever
intensifying medical treatment, hospice care or euthanasia is
a difficult task calling for much sensitivity and care.
It is important to thoroughly explore with the guardian all the
options and their consequences - ethical, medical and financial
- as a part of this decision making process. Guardians may need
time to think about the options and discuss them with family
members before making a decision.
The veterinary team
at Compassionate Veterinary Care and the pet's parents jointly
develop a plan.
Owners are made aware of various techniques for increasing their
pet's comfort, advised of signs indicating pain, side effects
of the medical conditions and treatments, and anticipated complications
as the patient's condition declines. At Compassionate Veterinary
Care, veterinarians and staff also fulfill the roles of grief
education and support resources. We offer basic information on
normal manifestations of grief; listen to and validate guardians
feelings, and empower guardians to make decisions they will see
afterwards as the best ones they could have made. When necessary,
we address ethical and spiritual aspects of making end-of-life
decisions, and make referrals to human service professionals.
 Hospice
Care
Hospice Consultation
At
Home Euthanasia
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Hospice
Care
