Dog hospice

QUESTION:

When is hospice care a good idea?

ANSWER:

Hospice care is the extra help a dog needs to handle incontinence, limited mobility, or other disabilities that impede her quality of life. It allows a dog to enjoy the life that's left for her by eliminating as much suffering as possible.

Hospice is not about prolonging a painful life, but about doing what we can to facilitate comfort and happiness toward the end of life. Hospice is absolutely not appropriate when an animal is in uncontrollable pain.

You can now find a wide variety of new treatments and equipment that help to improve the quality of life for your dog. There are more effective pain medications for dogs with joint problems, wheel carts or halters for dogs who can't walk like they used to, and even belly bands for incontinent males and diapers for females with the problem. A good veterinarian will be happy to discuss the various options available to your dog.

Remember, the senior years may be the most rewarding experience you can share with your dog. There is a calmness to your relationship that wasn't possible when she was a pup. Some animals may not be able to get around as they used to, but the joy of seeing you is reflected in their eyes. And this time together will be precious to you even after you have said goodbye.

Sherri Franklin is the founder of Muttville, a San Francisco–based recue center focusing on senior and special needs dogs.

Read more about Sherri Franklin in the DogTime expert center...

Comments

“This was the blog I authored before I was a bonafide member. ” — langecarmen, Sep 06 2008

“I agree this is a very special time for both you and your dog. I do my dog grooming now and it is special since she has always gone to a groomer. The last few times it had not worked out. Now I give her the baths and do the grooming. I need to find a book on hair cutting. She will not allow anyone to touch her face and/or ears. I don't know if this has anything to do with the fact that she is now blind and deaf. It is very hard for me to watch her bang into things on her way to the door or anyplace else that she wants to go. She still wants to remain independent. She wants to continually do things for herself. She will bark when she wants help with something and of course she then has me running to her. Of course she still has her allergies which makes it rough. She is scatching and sometimes she just gets frustrated with it all. I tell her what a good dog she is and she seems to like to hear the words although I know she cannot hear me. I think it picks her up when I say that to her. Anyway that is it for now. I never stay out too long. She is my little girl. Thank you for reading this. ” — langecarmen, Sep 06 2008

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Dog hospice

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