Health Care for Pets Hospital offers hospice and euthanasia services to pets that are terminally ill and suffering. We perform these services with tenderness, and expert care. We have been providing compassionate care through all phases of your pet’s life, and we will continue the same kind, understanding care when the end of life draws near.
Our doctors and staff have the greatest compassion for animals and for their owners during difficult times such as these. Our main focus is making your pet as comfortable as possible while allowing you to say goodbye. When you bring your animal in for euthanasia services, we give you time with your pet, explain the procedure and what you can expect to happen so that you are prepared. We have hand-chosen medications that make the procedure as painless and peaceful as possible.
Afterwards, we can assist in the handling of your pet’s remains. We offer cremation services through Good Shepherd Pet Services. Good Shepherd offers urns and memorial items on their website.
Watching your beloved pet suffer day after day as he approaches the end of life is a heart wrenching, painful experience. Before you and your pet struggle through one more day, call us at Health Care for Pets Hospital to learn how we can help you through this difficult time.
How Do You Know If It is Time?
This is one of the most common questions we get asked. There are several criteria used in evaluating life quality and you should consider them carefully. We have passed the following information along to several of our clients and they have found it helpful during this very difficult time.
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 responsive to you? Does she still acknowledge when you approach, and show body language that she is happy to see you?
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, a veterinarian who started 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.
Using a scale of 0 to 10 (0 = Unacceptable, 10 = Excellent), patients can be evaluated for their quality of life.
