Our Pets - When is it Time to Let them Go?
While some pets die of old age in the comfort of their own home, many others become seriously ill, get injured in some way, or experience a significantly diminished quality of life as they grow very old. In these situations, it may be necessary for you to consider having your pet euthanized in order to spare it from pain and suffering. Deciding to euthanize your beloved pet may be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make.
Talk to your veterinarian - he or she is the best qualified person to help guide you through this difficult process. In some cases, your veterinarian may be able to tell you definitively that it is time to euthanize your pet, but in other cases, you may ultimately need to make the decision based on your observances of your pet’s behavior and attitude.
Here is an article to help in deciding when our pets are still okay and when they are showing signs that may indicate they are suffering or no longer enjoying a good quality of life.
Pet Quality of Life
http://lapoflove.com/Pet_Quality_of_Life_Scale_DrMcVety.pdf
Talk to your veterinarian - he or she is the best qualified person to help guide you through this difficult process. In some cases, your veterinarian may be able to tell you definitively that it is time to euthanize your pet, but in other cases, you may ultimately need to make the decision based on your observances of your pet’s behavior and attitude.
Here is an article to help in deciding when our pets are still okay and when they are showing signs that may indicate they are suffering or no longer enjoying a good quality of life.
Pet Quality of Life
http://lapoflove.com/Pet_Quality_of_Life_Scale_DrMcVety.pdf
Quality of Life Scale and Calendar
Downloadable and printable PDFs for each image can be found below.
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The Quality of Life Scale allows you to evaluate your dog’s well-being to help you make difficult end-of-life care decisions. Originally known as the HHHHHMM Scale, this evaluation tool was created by Dr. Alice Villalobos, DVM, founder of Pawspice—a quality of life program for terminal pets—as a scoring system for a pet’s life quality.
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Use the Quality of Life Calendar to evaluate your dog every day and mark your pup’s score on a calendar to keep track of their good and bad days. The scale gives you tangible ways to measure your pet’s appetite, mobility, energy, pain levels, and overall well-being. Then your vet can help you decide what type of care your pet needs or if it’s best for your pet to let them go.
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