Quality of Life Consult
& Hospice Care
Often times it is hard for owners to assess their pet’s quality of life as they age, and decide just when is the right time to say goodbye. Our Quality of Life (QOL) Consults allow Dr. Vega to assess a pet's QOL and determine whether hospice care and/or at-home euthanasia are the next best steps for your pet.
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We want to help your pet live their best life, no matter what stage of life they are in. We know that the diagnosis of a terminal illness or the onset of old age can be difficult, but we are here to help you through it. We will create a custom hospice care plan for your pet that focuses on their overall wellness and comfort with your goals in mind.
Quality of Life Consult
As a pet ages, often they will suffer from internal disease or illness, and progressively decline in health. Our Quality of Life (QOL) consultations are provided to assess an animals overall health and quality of life – as animals age it is important that we help them control any pain or illness they may be suffering from, and ensure they are comfortable near the end of their life.
Our QOL consultation includes a physical exam, assessment of pain and comfort of your pet, review of medical records, review of medications, QOL discussion with owners, and options for palliative care in your home environment based on these findings. At this time, Dr. Vega will be able to consult with you on your pet’s quality of life, make a plan for the next best steps for you and your pet, and address any questions or concerns you may have.
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Hospice Care
As pets age, they often develop chronic or terminal illnesses that require support and maintenance to keep them comfortable and pain-free. The goal of hospice care is to keep a pet comfortable and help control their pain as they near the end of their life.
Dr. Vega will perform a Quality of Life Consult on your pet and assess if hospice care is the best next step for your pet. Together with owners we will develop an individualized plan for your pet to support their end-of-life journey, ensuring we are allowing them to be comfortable, pain-free, and peaceful in their final days.
Treatments may include: arthritic support medications, anti-inflammatory pain medications, neuropathic pain medications, sedatives (doggy dementia, restlessness), appetite stimulants/support, fluid administration (for dehydration), gastrointestinal support (for inappetance, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation).
To begin Hospice Care, owners must have a Quality of Life Consult appointment.
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