Quality of Life Consultation

When the doctor arrives at your home, she will examine your pet, and will talk through clinical signs you are seeing, as well as indications of pain, to assess your pet’s current quality of life. Deciding when it is “the time” to put your pet to sleep is an incredibly difficult decision, with so many factors involved, including your quality of life, as his caregiver. The doctor will talk with you about whether it is the best time now, or what a likely time frame would be before that time does arrive. If it is the best time to put him to sleep, the doctor will be prepared to do so at this visit.

We will:

• Have you answer questions about what you are currently seeing with your pet, ahead of the appointment. The doctor will read this thoroughly, to prepare for the visit.
• Examine your pet, and discuss with you important findings from the exam, as well as signs for you to be aware of indicating your pet might be in pain, or has a poor quality of life.
• We will also help you decide which next step is best for you and your pet: continue going as-is, go to your regular veterinarian for further treatment, or euthanasia.
• Notify your regular veterinarian, with a medical record explaining examination findings.

Please call us today at (224) 442-4427, Email us, or fill out a Contact Us form to learn more about a quality of life consultation.

What to Expect at a Quality of Life Consultation Visit:

When the doctor arrives at your home, she will examine your pet, and will talk through clinical signs you are seeing, as well as indications of pain, to assess your pet’s current quality of life. She will discuss with you whether it is best for your pet to keep going, or if it would be best to put him to sleep at this point. If it is time to put him to sleep, the doctor will be prepared to do so at this visit.

• We at A Gentle Goodbye Veterinary Hospice have been practicing end of life care since 2011, and are very knowledgeable about the general progression of diseases, age-related issues, and what signs to look for that indicate your pet is declining.
• That question of “is it time to euthanize or not” is incredibly difficult for so many reasons. During a QOL consultation, a licensed veterinarian from our team would come to your home, examine your pet, and have a discussion about your pet’s quality of life. This would include talking about clinicals signs they see, including signs of pain, as well as education about how the ailment is likely to progress, and the impact on your pet’s quality.
• They will give their medical judgement about whether it is best to euthanize at this point, or if the pet has more time. This may include advising you to visit your primary care veterinarian for ongoing care.

Will the doctor prescribe medications, and provide ongoing care?

• Unlike a hospice appointment with our team, this QOL consultation is a single appointment to discuss your pet’s QOL and offering guidance on timing. As such, it does not include prescribing or dispensing medications, a summary medical report, or ongoing medical management. If you think your pet would benefit from additional therapies and continued medical management, a hospice appointment is likely more appropriate.

What should I do to prepare for the visit?

• Our team will send you a handout about quality of life and knowing when it’s time beforehand, as well as some questions about what is currently going on with your pet. Answering those questions ahead of time, to allow the doctor ample time to prepare for the visit, is helpful.

Will the doctor be able to euthanize my pet at the same visit, if it is that time?

• Yes. The veterinarian will be prepared to euthanize your pet if that is in their best interest at that time.