A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

Find the most recent pictures of your pet when they were healthy and compare those photos to how your pet looks now. This exercise can help you see how your pet’s age or disease process/injury has affected them. Comparing pictures side-by-side can help you be honest with yourself about your pet’s current condition and overall health.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK

When assessing your pet’s Quality of Life, there are many questions that can help guide you in your evaluation process and facilitate open discussions with the whole family. The questions listed below are some of the most important areas to focus on when determining the Quality of Life of your pet. Set aside some time to reflect on these questions:

• Is my pet in pain?
• Is my pet having difficulty breathing?
• Can my pet’s pain be successfully managed?
• Is my pet eating enough?
• Do I need to hand feeding my pet?
• Is my pet dehydrated?
• Are subcutaneous fluids enough to resolve their dehydration?
• Are subcutaneous fluids being tolerated well?
• Is my pet clean?
• Does my pet have pressure sores?
• Can I keep them clean if they cannot keep themselves clean?
• Does my pet express joy and interest in life?
• Is my pet responsive to life around them?
• Is my pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored, or afraid?
• Is my pet isolated?
• Can I make it so that they are not isolated?
• Can I bring them and keep them close to family activities?
• Can my pet get up without help?
• Does my pet need help to move around?
• Does my pet want to go for a walk?
• Is my pet having seizures?
• Is my pet stumbling?
• Does my pet have more good days than bad?
• Is my pet suffering?
• Do I have a healthy relationship with my pet?
• How do I feel about euthanasia?
• What is my pet’s medical prognosis?
• Has my pet’s personality changed?
• Is my pet still independent?
• Are there limitations to what I can do for my pet? (Emotionally, financially, physically)
• Is my pet thirsty?
• Is my pet hungry?
• Is my pet getting enough nutrition?
• Is my pet uncomfortable?
• Does my pet have an injury?
• Does my pet have a disease?
• Can my pet express their normal behaviors?
• Is my pet fearful?
• Is my pet in distress?
• Can my pet urinate or defecate on their own?
• Has my pet become violent beyond control?
• Has my pet stopped eating?
• Is my pet still acting like themself?
• Is my pets condition going to worsen over time?
• Does my veterinary team recommend euthanasia?
• What is the most important thing when I consider my pet’s transition out of life?
• When will I start to consider euthanasia?
• What happens when hospice care has been exhausted or is not an option?
• Does my pet enjoy doing their favorite things?
• Does my pet want to play?
• Is my pet hiding?
• Is my pet sleeping more than usual?
• Is my pet panting while resting?
• Is my pet trembling or shaking?
• Is my pet vomiting or seemingly nauseous?
• Is my pet losing weight?
• Is my pet having diarrhea often?
• Is my pet not moving normally?
• Is my pet’s coat greasy, matted, or rough-looking?
• How is my pet’s overall health compared to their initial diagnosis or illness?