By Courtney Prue | May 28, 2024

Learn About In-Home Palliative Care for Pets

Understanding Palliative Care and How it Could Help

Navigating a chronic or terminal condition in your beloved pet can be one of the most emotionally challenging journeys a pet owner faces. It's a time when every decision is steeped in love and compassion yet fraught with uncertainty and heartache. We understand that every moment with your furry companion is precious.

In-home palliative care for pets is an emerging field that takes this into account and aims to enhance the well-being of pets and their caregivers. It focuses on relieving pain, minimising disease symptoms, and preventing suffering, aiming to provide comfort and maintain a good quality of life for as long as possible. This tailored care addresses the specific physical, emotional, and social needs of the pet while taking into account the family’s wishes and preferences. It is suitable for individuals of all ages and at any stage of a serious illness, and it can be administered concurrently with potentially curative treatments.

Veterinary palliative care is inspired by human medicine. Human patients receiving palliative care earlier in the course of their disease not only experience a better quality of life but actually live longer.

How is in-home palliative care for pets different from normal veterinary care?

While traditional veterinary care focuses primarily on diagnosing and treating specific illnesses or injuries, palliative care takes an individualised approach with a focus on comfort. It also includes emotional support for caregivers, discussions about end-of-life, help with making informed decisions, and grief support.

What kinds of diseases are appropriate for palliative care?

Palliative care is suitable for a wide range of chronic and terminal illnesses, including:

Cancer of all types
Degenerative conditions such as arthritis, degenerative myelopathy, or cognitive dysfunction
Organ dysfunction, including kidney failure, liver disease, or heart failure
Neurological disorders such as epilepsy, spinal cord injuries, or degenerative nerve diseases
Any end-stage diseases where curative treatment options have been exhausted, aren’t appropriate or are no longer effective.
Ageing-related conditions include cognitive decline, sensory loss, or mobility issues.

When should you consider palliative care for your pet?

Curative treatment is/was not successful
Curative treatment is not pursued because it will not improve the pet’s quality of life reliably, realistically, economically, safely, comfortably or long-term
The pet has a terminal or progressive illness, even if curative treatments are being pursued
A chronic illness significantly impacts your pet’s quality of life

What support does palliative care provide?

Medications, supplements, and therapies to alleviate discomfort, pain, and anxiety and manage or reduce symptoms of disease such as nausea, poor appetite, diarrhoea, and incontinence
Education about your pet’s condition and what to expect as their disease progresses
Resources and education on pain recognition and quality of life assessments
Support improving mobility and hygiene
Dietary and nutrition advice
A plan for mental stimulation and environmental enrichment
Guidance and preparation for end-of-life decision-making and grief
And much more, all focussed on comfort.

How do I support my pet with in-home palliative care for pets?

If you think your beloved pet would benefit from palliative care, get in touch with our team. Rest Your Paws is a compassionate team of veterinarians, nurses, grief counsellors and support staff focused on providing in-home palliative care for pets and loving euthanasia services.

Our team is well-versed in providing palliative care for dogs and palliative care for cats in particular — ensuring your pet enjoys a good quality of life as long as possible.

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