What is Hospice Care for Pets?

This article contains an excerpt from the ebook "The Loving Pet Owner's Guide to Pet Hospice and End of Life Care"  by Dr. Jessica Vogelsang and Dr. Elizabeth Benson from Paws into Grace, a pet hospice program in San Diego, CA. The complete ebook can be downloaded from the Paws into Grace website. Additional material for this article was written by Dr. Vogelsang.

I’ve met many people who have said to me, “I just can’t put my pet to sleep; this is a decision I do not feel comfortable making.” The desire to have a pet pass in his or her own time is also a valid choice, and of course this is the reality of human medical care every day. I have held the hand of two grandparents through the amazing process of hospice care, and I know firsthand how much a trained hospice provider can do for a family: provide counseling, education, support, all just as important to us as management of medical issues. This too is something we can provide in veterinary medicine.
 
Pet hospice includes home euthanasia for those who wish it, but it is so much more.
 
What is Animal Hospice?
 
In order to understand animal hospice, we first need to realize that there are actually four stages of a pet’s life: puppy/kittenhood, adult, senior, and end of life. End of life is often misunderstood as only being about death itself, but it actually begins the moment a pet is diagnosed with a terminal disease. Hospice care bridges the time between the point an owner decides to no longer pursue a cure and the moment the pet passes on. This stage may be very brief, or quite extended: weeks or even months, depending on a variety of factors.
 
This is a stage of transition: the goal changes from finding a cure to making each pet as comfortable as possible during this period. Although some people feel as though this is “giving up” or no longer pursuing care, we feel there is no greater good we can do for our terminally ill pets than to proactively prepare for the process, anticipate needs, and provide as much supportive care as the pet requires.

In fact, this service often extends the life of the pet; the hospice approach is so focused on improving quality of life that owners are often able to delay the choice to euthanize their pet or allow them to pass in their own time.

Is Human Hospice the Same as Animal Hospice?
 
They are very similar. After decades of fighting the medical establishment dictating that one should always fight disease to the very end no matter what, human hospice is now regular part of mainstream medical care. Animal Hospice, which is modeled after the human hospice example, is new but quickly gaining popularity. 

Is My Pet a Candidate for Hospice?
One of the first steps to starting a hospice plan is recognizing whether the pet would benefit from this type of care. Many diseases do not have a cure, but along with the help of a veterinarian and hospice care team, there are ways to keep a pet comfortable. Some of the common medical conditions that result in a pet owner seeking hospice care are:

• Cancer (the leading cause of death in senior dogs and cats)  
• Incurable organ disease such as kidney or liver failure
• Severe osteoarthritis uncontrolled with medication  
• Progressive neurological conditions or paralysis  
• Senior pets reaching the end of life

The shift from cure to palliative care is a personal decision. Many factors aside from the severity of the disease may play a role in the decision to start hospice or palliative care including past experiences, time, finances, and support.
 
It is a brave step to take when you bring a beloved pet home knowing there is no cure to give them. This may seem overwhelming but a veterinarian and hospice team are there to guide you. They are there to help relieve your anxiety, comfort you and your pet, and offer support through the process.  
 
The Initial Consultation
 
The first step in transitioning to hospice care involves an initial consultation with a hospice care provider. Your regular veterinarian may also provide hospice care; if not, you may elect to utilize the services of a veterinarian who specializes in providing this care, usually at your own home. At Paws into Grace, we believe the best care is provided as a team effort between your regular veterinarian, the hospice care team, and you.  
 
During this initial visit, we determine together if your pet is a candidate for hospice care and what medications or treatments will keep your pet as comfortable as possible. The initial consultation is important to review all of the treatments and medications that are to be given by the family, and ensure that every effort is made to enhance the patient's well-being.  
 
The plan for care is an essential component of hospice care. Knowledge about the end of life process empowers pet owners to make educated decisions about what is in the pet’s best interests. Each pet and family needs an individualized plan as each family, pet, and disease is different. The topics discussed can include:

•  What disease is affecting the pet
•  What symptoms do we expect as the disease progresses? These may include anorexia, vomiting, pain, incontinence, weakness, or difficulty walking
• What may be done medically to manage these symptoms? Examples may include an appetite stimulant, a medication to control vomiting, or a cart to help a dog go for walks
• The hospice team's philosophy and capabilities
• Whether or not the family would consider euthanasia; if so, when it is time to euthanize the pet
• The emotional needs of each family. Each family should feel safe to express feelings, concerns or questions about what may lay ahead. The hospice team can offer empathy, resources for counseling, or grief support.

What Services Are Offered with Hospice Care?

Once a family transitions into hospice care, services may include:   

• Monitoring the pet's quality of life and helping owners to determine when there is severe disease progression
• Wheel chair or cart fittings for paralyzed pets 
• Recommendations for care items such as ramps, slings, or special beds
• Nutrition counseling to provide appropriate caloric intake
• Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, homeopathy or reiki  
• Treating symptoms of a terminal disease such as difficulty breathing, pain, nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, constipation, dehydration or stress.
• At home supportive care such as subcutaneous fluid administration 
• Grief counseling, including anticipatory grief before the death of the pet  
• Encouraging family members to review beliefs regarding death together before making decisions 
• Helping families to prepare for those last moments by reviewing questions such as: Where will the pet be in the last moments? Do we want to schedule an in-home euthanasia appointment? Who will be present? What type of aftercare arrangements do we want? Do we want our children present? How do we want to talk to our children about a pet's death?  
• Encouraging realistic expectations about the process of death

Common Questions

As the concept of pet hospice is relatively new to people, a few common questions come up when people are trying to determine if hospice care is right for their pet. Here are some of the questions we hear about pet hospice:

What do I do if my veterinarian doesn't offer hospice care?

The information presented by The Grey Muzzle Organization is for informational purposes only. Readers are urged to consult with a licensed veterinarian for issues relating to their pet's health or well-being or prior to implementing any treatment.

The Grey Muzzle Organization improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and other nonprofit groups nationwide