A hospice/ palliative care relationship or pain management program is best started at the time of diagnosis or the first signs of decline and not when "there is nothing more we can do". A hospice/palliative care relationship is appropriate at any stage of disease or decline. The sooner this relationship is started, the more you and your pet can benefit. It is pro-active care that can start at any stage of disease to greatly improve the comfort and quality of life for your treasured pet for months or years. We know that the best outcomes occur when support is started at the first signs of decline. Hospice care not only recognizes the needs of your pet, but also the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of you and your family.
Why animal hospice and palliative care for my beloved pet?
In the human hospice experience, families are well-supported and empowered to provide loving care to their loved one. As a result, they find enhanced coping along the journey and healing from their loss. Many pet parents want the same care for their furry, feathered and scaled family members as they’ve seen benefit their human loved ones, and so they turn to animal hospice. Pet parents also seek satisfaction in knowing they did all they could to support their animal companion, enhanced their bond with them during this time, and created cherished memories.
What kind of diseases or conditions would warrant hospice and/or palliative care?
The diseases and conditions that most frequently benefit from hospice / palliative care are: ● cancer ● organ failure [kidneys, liver and heart are common examples] ● osteoarthritis ● cognitive dysfunction, or dementia ● senior pets approaching the end of life ● any life-limiting condition that is contributing to an excessive burden of caregiving for a family, or treatments/interventions that are unacceptable to the pet