Palliative care is the final stage of life. As Pet Guardians we are aware that there are three stages of life for our pets.

• Puppy/kitten
• Adult
• Senior

Sadly, when it comes to end of life for our pets this means that our pet has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. For many, this can be when our pet is diagnosed with a terminal disease. This time can be a very short or very long time.

Most Common Health Conditions That Can Cause Our Pets to Enter End of Life Phase.

• Cancer is sadly the most common.
• Organ failures such as kidney and heart.
• Severe arthritis, which is progressive, debilitating, painful, with no cure.
• Neurological diseases which disrupt or paralyze normal nerve function.
• Senior pets that are moving into the end-of-life phase.

What Does Palliative Care Mean?

Palliative care ensures that your pet is comfortable, trying to improve quality of life as much as possible. Focusing on symptoms and side effects that will come with each stage of illness or treatment. Some examples would be pain, nausea, loss of appetite, laboured breathing, depression, diarrhea, incontinence, and so forth.

When it’s decided to stop treatment then palliative care will continue to maintain your pet’s best quality of life, dignity, and comfort for as long as humanely possible.

Making Those Tough Decisions

Once treatment is no longer working, it’s important to focus on dignity and comfort for your pet. As your pet’s Guardian you will cherish this time for as long as is humanely possible.

Where to Find Support

There are many support groups on the internet and locally in some areas. Kali’s Wish Cancer Foundation is a wonderful support for Pet Guardians that are facing pet cancer.

Needs and Resources

The needs of your pet and the resources available to you are important in planning and the care of your pet.

• Education about the disease your pet is facing together and watching your pet closely so you can provide support.
• Stay positive, but realistic.
• Catch any changes quickly.
• Symptom management is recognizing the things that take away from your pet’s quality of life and comfort and doing your best to minimize them.
• Pain is a constant threat for an older pet with a terminal condition. Pain medications provided by your veterinarian can be stronger to help with the pain since there are no long-term side effects to consider.
• Medication from your vet to stimulate appetite is often necessary.
• Cancer cells thrive on carbohydrates, so ultra-low carbohydrates and high animal protein and fat pet nutrition can make a difference.
• Fresh raw food pet nutrition diets are an option to help with your pet’s health as they are high in animal protein and low in carbohydrates.
• Supplements that support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and enhance a pet’s life can make a significant difference to your pet’s health.
• Incontinence often becomes an issue, so appropriate bedding that can be washed daily and pet diapers will be helpful to help your pet to keep their dignity.
• Mobility support like a sling, depending on your pet’s size, may be necessary.
• Helping your pet get up, move on their own, and outside or to the litter pan to do the normal potty routine for as long as possible is very important to your pet.
• Love, attention, and positive interaction are so important for your pet. All pets thrive on attention, adoration, and positive, loving interaction.
• It is extremely important to recognize when your pet’s quality of life has become less than acceptable to your pet despite all your efforts, and it is time to say goodbye. This is a thoughtful yet tough decision that should be made by the entire family.

The Final Hardest Yet Kindest Decision

The final decision concerning how your pet’s last moments will be spent is so important. It will help you to grieve knowing that you gave your pet, who has trusted you to make every decision for them their whole lives, a peaceful passing at the hands of your veterinarian. Waiting too long can become an emergency and the peacefulness of saying goodbye is often lost.  Having your veterinarian help your pet to pass in their own home may be the least stressful for your pet.

Many believe in the comfort of The Rainbow Bridge. The belief is that when you pass all your cherished pets that have gone before you are waiting for you, and you are together once again.