What is Hospice?

Hospice care is a philosophy that neither hastens nor postpones death, but rather addresses the medical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs associated with dying for the patient and their family. Hospice remains mindful of each individual’s value and belief system.

The goal of hospice is to alleviate pain for the patient and to offer support for the patient’s family. Hospice is an option which may allow you to have more quality time with your animal companion. We will help you keep them as comfortable and as pain-free as possible, until they pass away unassisted, or you decide the time has come for a peaceful assisted transition from life to death.

When should I get Hospice care for my fur-baby?

Hospice begins the moment a pet has been diagnosed with a terminal, or life-limiting, condition and the family has decided not to pursue aggressive, curative therapies.  Hospice exists to provide support and care for patients in the last phases of an incurable disease, or at the natural end of life.  Veterinary hospice focuses on caring, not curing. We understand that serious illness profoundly impacts not only the patient, but your family as well.  This can be a frightening, stressful time for pet-parents as well as the patient, and we are here to help. Animals in the last phase of their life deserve exceptional care, so that they might live as fully and comfortably as possible. Families deserve the opportunity to say goodbye, and time to come to terms with the transition that awaits their animal companion.

Does Hospice replace euthanasia?

No, not necessarily. The aim of veterinary hospice care is for animals to live a good life, until they experience a good death. Often this will be an unassisted, natural death, but sometimes pain, distress, or sadness that we cannot alleviate means that a kind and gentle euthanasia is the best option for our patient. Sometimes pet-parents just know that the time is right, when both the animal and the caregivers are at peace and ready. This is a decision that is very individual, and needs to be made on a case-by-case basis. We will provide information and support to allow pet-parents to make the best decision for both the family and the fur-baby.

So, what actually happens?

Most of the families we care for are referred to us by their regular veterinarian, but some find us on their own. We welcome all pet-parents, and provide sensitive, empathetic care tailored to your family, your budget, and your needs, always focussed on the best interest of the patient.

When you call us, we’ll make an appointment for you for an initial Hospice Care Needs Assessment. We’ll contact your regular veterinarian, with your permission, to request medical records pertinent to your animal companion’s illness. We’ll review these records before we meet for your Needs Assessment. We’ll also ask you to provide some background information before our first visit. During the appointment, which usually lasts between one and three hours at your home, we’ll perform a clinical examination of your fur-baby, assess the home environment for any adaptations that might be needed for Hospice care, and give you information on palliative care, nutrition, behaviour, grief and loss, as well as the likely progression of the disease process. We’ll talk to you about your beliefs, wants and needs, your budget, your expectations and your hopes and expectations for the journey your fur-baby is taking. We’ll also discuss the important transition that is the process of dying, and let you know what to expect at the end-of-life.

We’ll leave you with written information in a personalised care folder, as well as an Interim Comfort Care Plan and any medications and supplies you might need in the next day or so. Within twenty-four hours we’ll be in touch with a full Hospice Care Plan, including estimated costs. If you decide to go ahead with hospice care, we’ll be available for telephone consultations between scheduled visits, and we’ll have a written plan for what to do in an emergency.

We’ll be with you on the journey, supporting your family to provide the ultimate gift to your animal companion, your fur-baby, your friend… a transition from life to death, free of fear and pain, surrounded by love. Whether we can achieve a natural, unassisted death, or we need to help your animal companion transition with a kind and gentle euthanasia, we will work together to give your fur-baby the last gift after a good life, fully lived: a good death, in love and peace.

For more information on euthanasia, and on caring for your fur-baby after they die, please see our End-of-Life Services.

For more information about our fees, please see our Fee Schedule.