Hospice care for pets is a growing field of veterinary medicine. As our patients live longer, we have seen a need for improved end of life care. Hospice focuses on the needs of the patient and their family. We want your pet to live life to the fullest, so keeping your pet comfortable and happy is of the utmost importance. Some families elect to support their pet through natural death. Others elect humane euthanasia when they feel quality of life has declined. This is a very personal decision that we will discuss during our initial consult.

Dr. Ellen will come to your home to meet with your family and pet. We will discuss medical history then perform a full exam. We will spend time discussing your pet's illness, what to expect and how to plan for emergencies. You will learn how to assess quality of life and monitor for pain. We will look at changes that can be made in your pet's environment to make life safer and easier for them. A full treatment plan will be developed based on the needs of your pet and the goals of the family. By the end of the appointment, we hope that you are feeling less afraid and more in control of how to care for your pet.

We realize this can be a scary time for many pet owners. This is why each house call is followed by a month of continued communication. During this time, you will communicate with our team via an online journal, phone, and email. Our team of doctors and nurses will check in frequently to address any concerns you might have. At the end of the first month, many people feel comfortable handling their pet's care and may wait to contact us again when problems arise or they determine it is time for euthanasia. If you find that continued care would be helpful, we can continue consultations on a month by month basis.

Palliative care is treatment that is specifically aimed at treating your pet's symptoms. The goal of palliative care is the best quality of life for your pet. Palliative care may go on for months or years.

Much of what happens during your pet's transition is up to you. You may elect to make it a very quiet, personal experience with just you and your pet. You may elect to have a "celebration of life" with friends and family who have been important in your pet's life present to share memories and stories. You can play music you find comforting. You can light candles. You may choose to be outside in your pet's favorite part of the yard(weather permitting) or inside, snuggled in their favorite bed.

When the doctor arrives, she will go over important papers first so that there is no need to worry about that after. Your pet will be given a sedative to help them feel very relaxed and comfortable. An IV catheter will be placed in most cases. When you are ready, the final injection will be given.