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Hospice Care
What is Pet Hospice?
Pet hospice or “Comfort Care,” is a very specialized type of veterinary care for pets with terminal diagnosis or in their end-of-life stage when curative treatment is no longer an option. Comfort care focuses on providing comfort and support, to give your pet an optimal quality of life when a cure is not possible.
Giving Up?
Facing what's to come head on is better for everyone. When we know the diagnosis is terminal, transition to Hospice or comfort care changes our focus to helping you plan for your pet’s end of life transition, whether it will be eventual euthanasia or natural death. We focus on your pet’s comfort and your family’s needs.
Some studies have shown that pets that transition to providing good quality of life through comfortcare extends the time a pet can remain with us than those who continue curative therapy.
Starting Hospice or Comfort Care
A comfort care consultation will start with a physical exam if your pet is not already a patient with us, at that time Dr. Drake will review medical records, and spend time with your family to create an ongoing plan of care to provide your pet’s comfort and quality of life. Palliative care for your pet can be wide ranging and different for each case.
If You're Not Sure...
A Quality of Life consultation can be helpful if you're not sure. The goal of the Quality of Life consultation is to help your family decide if Hospice is appropriate and when it’s time for euthanasia. Dr. Drake will review records, perform a physical exam, and discuss quality of life and pain scales with you.
Euthanasia may not be possible during this appointment, and will only be considered if the pet is in distress or considered an emergency by the veterinarian.
