How many of you have struggled to watch your senior, ill, or injured pet as they navigate the last days of their life? How did you decide to make the most compassionate and final gesture of love for
your pet by humanely setting them free of their pain and suffering?
As a professional pet sitter, you can help your clients navigate the heartbreaking decision by
providing some tips and tools from reputable sources.
The Quality of Life Scale is an easy-to-use tool to start tracking a pet’s good and bad
days.
Start documenting their Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, and Mobility.
HURT / Pain Management:
1) Is their pain being managed well with medications or alternative therapies?
2) Is their pain affecting their ability to eat, interact, or
move?
3) Are they having trouble breathing, is their breathing labored? Are medications
and alternative therapies no longer helping?
Hunger / Nutrition:
1) Good appetite no need to change diet?
2) Poor appetite, hand feeding, needs lots of encouragement
3) No appetite – refuses to eat
Hydration:
1) Adequate intake
2) Poor intake puts renal function at risk
3) Requires hydration / Sub Q fluids
Hygiene:
1) Are they able to groom themselves or allow you to
help?
2) Have they become less able to self-groom?
3) Have they stopped grooming?
Happiness/Attitude/Interaction:
1) Interacts normally with people and pets
2) Some interaction, but is becoming less social 3) Hides or doesn’t get up to
greet people
Mobility:
1)No difficulty, enjoys walks and going outside?
2) Difficulty getting up, or getting comfortable? Trouble going
potty, can only do short walks?
3) Needs assistance. Not able to walk without aids. Is medication no longer helping manage pain
or mobility?
RESOURCES:
Pet MD, Dr. Alice Villalobos Oncology Outlook
Sharing this information with your veterinarian can help you see more clearly the choices before you and ultimately when is the right time to let your pet go peacefully and with dignity.
As a professional pet sitter, I hope to educate, inspire, and engage pet lovers with short, simple lessons from my decades+ years of experience. ~ Kimberly
Also, for more info on Fun Fur U – In-Home Pet Care, head to our website:
Follow on Social!
Be the first to comment