A quality-of-life consultation is a thoughtful, compassionate, in-depth discussion session with a veterinarian focused on fully assessing your terminally ill or elderly pet's current daily quality of life. The goal is to determine if progressive illness and declines in your pet's condition may mean euthanasia is the most humane option to prevent further suffering. This consultation essentially guides you and your family through the difficult decision-making process about end-of-life care when a pet's health is failing.
During a quality-of-life veterinary consultation, the veterinarian will perform a physical examination of your pet, asking many questions to gain insights into changes in their health status, behavior patterns, personality, mobility, appetite, and overall zest for life compared to their younger years. As their advocate, you'll have an opportunity to share your observations about their condition as a loving pet owner.
The veterinarian will assess cognitive function through puzzles or commands, evaluate any pain levels through palpation and observation, review the effectiveness and side effects of all current medications and treatments being administered, and discuss the expected progression of the pet's diagnosis based on clinical experience. An open, honest dialogue about all key factors impacting daily quality of life will occur.
Armed with this comprehensive understanding of your pet’s good days versus bad days from both medical and quality-of-life perspectives, the veterinarian will compassionately counsel you regarding all options for managing your pet’s terminal diagnosis moving forward, including potential euthanasia if your pet’s suffering seems unbearable. This consultation often brings clarity to an agonizing decision.
This consultation takes time to thoroughly evaluate your pet's well-being without the distractions inherent in regular exams. Our veterinarians will provide an objective, expert perspective on your pet's quality of life that you may be too emotionally close to see.
We help determine if the decline in condition is temporary or irreversible and if ongoing suffering can be effectively managed. Guiding you through this difficult process leads to greater peace in decision-making. Above all, we aim to help you prioritize your pet's comfort.
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