COMING SOON:

COMING SOON:
Watch Trailers To 'New Moon,' More

°

Homepage / Family
Text Size

Pet Hospice Care Helps Pet Owners Cope With Death

Content Provided By American Veterinary Medical Association

American Veterinary Medical Association (ARA) - When Alysa Brennan of Hermosa Beach, Calif., discovered one of her Great Danes had cancer, she was faced with a difficult decision, but she felt fortunate that her veterinarian, Dr. Alice Villalobos, was familiar with veterinary hospice care and introduced her to the concept.

"I knew Blake, my dog, was old enough that I didn't want to go through any heroic measures to try to keep him alive. I wasn't going to consider chemotherapy. Dr. Villalobos explained that we could keep him as pain free as possible until the end," Brennan explains.

"He passed very peacefully thanks to Alice being there with me," she continues. "He died literally in my arms. I had moved an old couch outside for him, so he could sleep on it. One night he came in and was looking at me in a strange way. I laid down with him, and his breathing was very labored so I called Alice. It was his end."

Hospice care -- physical and physiological care for the wellbeing of the terminally ill -- has a long history in the United States. But hospice care for animals is a very new concept. Villalobos treated Blake's end-of-life discomfort with pain medications and homeopathic medicines.

Veterinary hospice is a philosophy that is really in its infancy. In 2000, the movement gained national attention at the annual convention of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) where Villalobos spoke on hospice care. The first international symposium wasn't held until March of 2008 at the University of California-Davis, and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) is currently being established.

Dr. Amir Shana, owner of the Compassionate Care Veterinary Clinic in Chicago, has been offering hospice care to animals for well over a decade. Shana provides house calls for patients who are too sick to make it into his office and also runs a hospice facility, where animals can be boarded. About half of his practice is in pet hospice services.

"Hospice is a philosophy of care, it is also a program of care and in certain cases it is an actual place where patients are being cared for," Dr. Shana explains.

For Villalobos, the new movement really recognizes something that has been happening for many decades. "Veterinarians have always offered care to animals at the end of life," explains Villalobos. "Until now, it has not been a recognized philosophy, and it hasn't had a name."

Villalobos says that one of the most important aspects of this new movement is that it's seen as a philosophy that is accessible to all veterinarians so they can better serve their patients. And it doesn't require that pet owners give up hope, she adds. Pet hospice care can be incorporated with measures taken to attempt to save the pet's life. It means simply that the animal's needs are taken care of with pain control and other efforts to reduce suffering.

Villalobos says that one of the biggest hurdles in veterinary hospice care is dealing with the shock that owners feel when discovering that their pet has a condition that may precipitate end-of-life care.

"A decade goes by and it is quick for us, but it is the lifespan of a pet. It' takes a lot of compassion to help people to understand it. It sneaks up on them. We have people who are in shock that their four-footed, beloved companion is now geriatric," Villalobos says. "The philosophy of hospice is letting the pet owner know the pet is dying."

The second international symposium on pet hospice will be held over Labor Day weekend on the campus of University of California-Davis. This new group, which recognizes veterinarians, veterinary technicians, social workers, psychologists, ethicists and clergy, has a great deal of work to do setting standards for this new field. For example, members will begin establishing protocols and guidelines for pain control, the place of euthanasia, and quality of life. The field is so new that attendees will even be charged with the task of defining pet hospice care. Visit www.avma.org for more information.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Sponsored Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Before you hire a professional inspector learn to do your own pre-inspection to spot potential problems. More

Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More

Learn how to melt off the pounds with meal plans and exercises from Jillian Michaels of TV’s Biggest Loser. MoreClick Here

It was bound to happen. There are now applications for your cell phone that can help you avoid speeding tickets as well as traffic jams. Drive carefully. More

Most Popular

Marketplace

  • AutoClick to Expand

  • JobsClick to Expand

    • Six Answers Interviewers Need To Hire You

      During the typical job interview, you'll be asked a lot of questions. But do you really understand what the interviewer needs to know?

    • Guide To Negotiating A Great Salary

      You can start laying the groundwork for your salary negotiation even before the first interview. Here's a step-by-step guide.

    • Should You Say Yes To A Buyout?

      In today’s economy, the lure of a big-bucks buyout can be tempting, but before you say yes, take the time to understand what it will mean for you.

    • Ten Rules For Interviewing

      In the current job market, you'd better have your act together, or you won't stand a chance. Check yourself on these 10 basic points before your next interview.

  • WomenClick to Expand

    • Healthy Living In Your 40s

      Your guide to looking and feeling your best.

    • Manage Stress, Find Balance

      The idea of living a balanced life may seem like an oxymoron. Yet working toward balance and self-care is key to feeling in control and more joyful at home and work.

    • Weight & Exercise: The Right Mix

      Being healthy is related to how well you take care of yourself. But it’s never too late! A woman can learn new, healthy habits at any age.

  • InsuranceClick to Expand

    • Auto Insurance Quotes

      Simply enter your zip code and get great deals on your car insurance from the top companies. Click here and start saving today!

    • Health Insurance Quotes

      No matter where you live, you shouldn’t have to pay too much for health insurance. Your zip code is all you need and we’ll do the rest to find you great insurance rates.

    • Home Insurance Quotes

      Your home is your most valuable asset. So make sure you have coverage that fits your needs and doesn’t break the bank.

    • Life Insurance Quotes

      What would happen to your family if you were suddenly gone? Don’t leave their future to chance and find top quality life insurance before it’s too late.

    • Business Insurance Quotes

      Don’t take chances when it comes to insuring your business. To get the best rates from top companies in your area just enter your zip code.

  • HomesClick to Expand