Hospice & Euthanasia For Pets

As pet parents, one of the most difficult experiences we face is knowing when it may be time to say goodbye to a beloved companion. Understanding your pets' end of life care options can help you make informed, compassionate decisions when the time comes. At MetroVet Veterinary Clinic, our team is here to guide, support, and walk alongside you through every step of this journey.

What is Veterinary Hospice Care?

Veterinary hospice care is the focus on comfort, pain control, dignity, and quality of life for dogs and cats that are nearing the end of their lives. Rather than focusing on putting a disease into remission or curing a medical ailment, hospice purely supports the patient in their current states.

Key Aspects of hospice and end-of-life care include:

Evaluating Quality of Life

It is important to regularly assess your pet’s quality of life to make informed decisions about their care. Key factors to consider are mobility, appetite, and overall enjoyment of life.

Comfort and Pain Management

The primary goal of hospice care is to keep your pet as comfortable as possible. This involves pain management, providing nutritional support, using mobility aids, and creating a stress-free environment. Treatments may include medications, therapies, and adjustments to a pet's daily routine that are tailored to your pet's needs.

Guidance and Decision Making

Hospice care can also help pet parents navigate the decision-making process around euthanasia. By understanding your pet’s condition and progression, our veterinary team can help you determine when it may be time to prioritize a peaceful and dignified passing.

Emotional Support for Families

At MetroVet Veterinary Clinic, we understand how emotionally challenging this time can be. Our team is committed to providing education, honest communication, and emotional support, helping you feel informed and supported throughout your pet’s end-of-life journey.

Considering Pet Euthanasia

Veterinary euthanasia is a deeply personal and emotional decision. As pets age or develop serious health conditions, they may experience discomfort or symptoms that are unable to be resolved. In these cases, euthanasia may be the most humane and loving option to prevent additional suffering.

If your pet has been diagnosed with a severe illness or disease, paying attention to their daily quality of life is important. This will allow our veterinary team to advise you when it might be time to help your dog or cat have a peaceful passing.

When considering euthanasia, you may find it helpful to discuss the following with your veterinarian:

• How can I best assess my pet's daily quality of life?
• How often should we re-assess my pet’s quality of life with my veterinary team?
• Which quality-of-life scale are most important to focus on?
• What kind of activities might my pet stop enjoying due to their illness?
• What signs will indicate it is time to consider euthanasia?

Compassionate End-of-Life Care Near You

Understanding your options for hospice and end-of-life care can bring peace of mind and allow you to focus on cherishing the time you have with your companion.

Choosing the right veterinary team is an important part of this process. If you would like to discuss your pets’ end-of-life care options at MetroVet Veterinary Clinic, we are always a phone call away.