The Decision:

The end of life is a hard time for both the pet and the pet owner.  It can be difficult to know “when it is time” and we are here to help you through that process.  Powers Veterinary Clinic recommends a two-part approach when it comes to working through this heavy decision.

The first step starts with you and your family filling out a quality-of-life evaluation for your pet at home.  This is a simple worksheet to help you see your pet objectively, not just with your heart.  By including your family members in this evaluation, a discussion can be had about concerns or changes some may have noticed, but others hadn’t.  

The second step of our approach is a clinical evaluation with your veterinarian in order to assess your pet’s quality of life from a medical perspective.  This is the time to talk to your veterinarian about observations that came from the at-home evaluation and discussion.  In some situations, medical interventions and lifestyle changes can be implemented to improve the quality of life for a time. Combining the two assessments guides you in making the right decision for your pet. 

Euthanasia:

When the decision has been made and the time has come for the final goodbye, we are here for you too. We give you the option to remain with your pet during the procedure or to have us stay with your loved one.  However you need to grieve, we will make space for you.  

Cremation:

If you choose to have your pet cremated, we work directly with Midwest Cremation Company out of Poynette, WI.  They offer options for individual cremation with the return of your pet’s ashes or for communal cremation and disposal of their ashes. 

Download the printable form version below to monitor any changes over time.

Quality of Life and the Decision to Euthanize

Quality of Life and the Decision to Euthanize

The decision to try additional medical treatments or consider euthanasia for a sick or chronically ill pet is a hard decision to make for many pet owners. This handout has been designed to help you consider the quality of life of your pet and help make you aware of some options that exist. Answer each question yes or no.

Pain

Many animals do not complain in obvious, visible ways when they are hurt. Many animals will hide their discomfort as much as possible. Consider the following:

My pet hurts.
My pet limps (if it didn’t hurt, he wouldn’t limp).
My pet pants frequently, even at rest.
My pet’s respirations are forced, exaggerated, or otherwise not normal.
My pet guards or protects an area of his body and may snap if that area is approached or touched.
My pet’s posture is abnormal or different than normal.
My pet shakes or trembles sometimes during rest.
My pet is on pain medication and it doesn’t work.

Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.

Appetite

Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.

Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.
Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.
Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.
Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.
Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.
Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.

Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.

Hydration

Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.

Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.
Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.
Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.

Possible interventions for yes answers: start pain medications, change pain medications, combinations of pain medications from different drug classes, surgery, non-traditional medicine (acupuncture, etc.), treating underlying disease/condition.

Hygiene

Animals that don’t feel well, especially cats, do not have the energy to maintain normal hair and skin. Consider the following:

My cat doesn’t groom his/herself anymore.
My pet’s hair is matted, greasy, rough looking, dull or foul smelling.
My pet has stool pasted around his/her butt or in his/her hair.
My pet smells like urine or has skin irritation from urine.
My pet has pressure sores/wounds that won’t heal.

Possible interventions for yes answers: regular brushing and grooming, frequent bedding changes, adequate padding for areas where the pet spends a lot of time, appropriate wound care, treat underlying disease/condition.

Activity/Mobility

Changes in normal activity can be due to mobility problems, pain, illness, or aging (arthritis). Consider the following:

My pet cannot get up without assistance.
My pet has a hard time getting around and/or limps.
My pet lays in one place all day long.
My pet does not want to play ball, go for walks, or do things he/she used to do.
My pet falls frequently.

Possible interventions for yes answers: pain medication addition or adjustment, physical therapy.

Happiness/Mental Status

Another important area of consideration is the pet’s mental status and happiness. Consider the following:

My pet does not express joy and interest in life.
My pet does not respond to the people that he/she used to respond to.
My pet does not want to play with toys or do things that he/she used to enjoy.
My pet seems dull, not alert, or depressed.

General Behavior Patterns

Changes in normal behavioral patterns are often a key indicator of how well an animal feels. Consider the following:

My pet is hiding or sleeping in odd places.
My pet doesn’t greet me when I come home and he/she used to.
My pet is overly clingy and following me around and he/she never used to.
My other pets are treating this pet differently – they are overly attentive or ignoring him completely.
My pet doesn’t care what’s going on around him/her.

Owner Perceptions

Many times an owner is aware that their pet is suffering but does not want to give up on their pet. Consider the following:

I wouldn’t want to live if I were in a similar situation.
I would be painful if I were in a similar situation.
I have made appointments for euthanasia for this pet and cancelled or didn’t show up.
I am holding on to this pet for sentimental reasons (the pet belonged to a now deceased family member, the pet helped me through a hard time in my life, etc).
My pet is having more bad days than good days

Count the number of Yes and No answers you have marked.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple point system or scale that will tell you exactly what to do for your pet. However, the more yes answers you have, the more likely it is that your pet has a poor quality of life. 21 yes answers imply that your pet has a diminished quality of life. If this is the case, you have two

options:

1. Make major changes to try to improve your pet’s quality of life (like some of the things listed after each set)

or

2. Euthanize your pet to relieve his/her suffering

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