Hospice for.........animals???

[flaps]

Please tell me my spouse was pullin' my leg (as he often does) when he recently informed me that there is now such a thing as "end of life care/hospice" for pets. I'm not talkin' euthanasia, but something akin to hospice services for people.

If he wasn't merely testing my credulity and such a thing really exists, what do you think of it? If I've been had yet again and there isn't any such thing, do you think there should be?

In case it isn't already perfectly clear, I think that it's ridiculous! I'd never go to such - IMHO - extremes with any pet of mine. Put the poor animal down, already.

If it's true, what a day we live in. We'll euthanize people (FTR, I'm opposed), but not a pet?

Info? Comments?

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

Do you even understand what hospice is?

I would take it to mean that a non-suffering pet is allowed to die at its own pace without extreme medical intervention prolonging life.

I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[phillybeth]

I would assume hospice includes pain management, something that has been sorely lacking in the vet community.

So many people have their pets PTS at the first sign of something serious, when with a little care they can have extra time. If a pet owner wants it I see nothing wrong with it, so long as the animal ISN'T suffering.

 

[ducklite]

I agree. I've lost a dozen pets over the past two years. They let you know when they've had enough and are ready to go (stop eating even if you offer from your hand, etc.). At that point I have the vet help them, as allowing them to linger is cruel. But until then I try to help them live as comfortable a life as possible with as little intervention as possible.

I'll feed them "special food" that maybe isnt' the best nutritionally, but if it's what they want in their last months, then what's the harm? I won't authorize an invasive surgery on an animal with only a few onths left. So they last two weeks long if they have the surgery--there is a quality of life issue to consider. I'll work with my vet on pain management if it's indicated.

Frankly as a species I think we are often more humane to our pets thaan to our humans who are geriatric or suffering through the end stages of a terminal disease..

Anne

 

[flaps]

Originally posted by Rutt and Tuke
Do you even understand what hospice is?

My grandfather who passed away from lung cancer a few years ago received hospice care, but I accept that maybe I don't know enough about it.

At this point, though, my opinion regarding animals/pets remains unchanged.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by ducklite


Frankly as a species I think we are often more humane to our pets thaan to our humans who are geriatric or suffering through the end stages of a terminal disease..

Anne

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

The Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets, the first official, non-profit organization of its kind in the nation, has been founded in response to a need which is becoming ever more prominent in our society. Its express purpose is to encourage the provision of hospice care for dying pets, so that pet owners who do not wish to choose euthanasia when their animals are about to depart this life or who wish to postpone it can care for them in the home environment--under veterinary supervision and with adequate pain management and/or symptom control. Ultimately, for those who see a natural death as the best and most acceptable end for their pets, and who wish to strengthen the human-companion animal bond in their pets' hour of greatest need, hospice care is the answer.

http://www.csum.edu/pethospice/mission_statement.html


I think it gives another choice somewhere between "preventing death at all costs" and "euthanizing because the pet will eventually die anyway".

 

[phillybeth]

When I first heard of hospice care for humans I was appalled (then again I was a teenager and much appalled me back then). It seemed illogical to me, just sitting around waiting to die rather than doing something, anything about it.
Having been through hospice care with my grandmother last year, however, completely changed my mind. My grandmother was allowed to pass on her own terms, at home in her own bed, painfree, and cared for by family until the end.
If I could do something like this for my pets I would.

 

[flaps]

Thanks for posting some information, Rutt and Tuke. I do appreciate your taking the time and effort to do so.