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Making the Most of End-of-Life QOL

Creating a high-quality end-of-life period is a critical aspect of veterinary practice. Although we can’t prevent the inevitable passing of a beloved pet, we can advocate for patient comfort and support pet parents through end-of-life care decisions. Fear Free Certified® Professionals are uniquely qualified to help pets with terminal and progressive diseases overcome not only physical barriers to increased life quality but also emotional and behavioral impacts. Here, we discuss best practices to improve quality of life (QOL) during a pet’s last days.

Assessment and Planning

Effective end-of-life care begins with a thorough patient assessment and history to evaluate the pet’s current QOL, establish management goals, and develop a treatment plan in partnership with the pet owner. Many physical, emotional, and social factors contribute to patient comfort and wellbeing, with each weighted differently for individual pets. A professional QOL scale provides clients and the veterinary team with an objective measurement tool to track disease progression and QOL changes, facilitating discussions about palliative care or euthanasia.

Palliative and Hospice Care

Palliative and hospice care focus on reducing the impact of disease symptoms, improving comfort when a cure is unlikely, and supporting pet families during a pet’s final days. Many hospice caregivers provide in-home services, which can help reduce stress levels and give the family more time with the pet. Hospice care often culminates in euthanasia or a medically assisted natural death.

Supporting Quality of Life

End-of-life care should focus primarily on implementing strategies to manage pet comfort. Pet professionals should consider the following QOL assessment categories to develop effective interventions:

  • Happiness — Increase pet happiness by modifying activities they once enjoyed and continuing to provide enjoyable social interactions and play.
  • Mental state — Pets experiencing pain, cognitive decline, or other effects of chronic illness may also suffer from fear, anxiety, and stress that impacts life quality. Address behavioral changes with medications, supplements, training, calming aids, and household management.
  • Pain — Uncontrolled pain is the hallmark of reduced QOL. Address pain early and aggressively, emphasizing the importance of pain control to clients. Medications, rehabilitation, and alternative treatments are viable options.
  • Appetite — Consider appetite stimulants, antiemetics, and high-energy diets for pets dealing with anorexia or weight loss.
  • Hygiene — Pets unable to stay clean are uncomfortable and at risk for skin infections. Work with clients to find solutions that are not overly burdensome, such as bathing, diapers or belly bands, or medications to control urinary and GI conditions.
  • Hydration — At-home subcutaneous fluids are an excellent solution for keeping chronically ill pets hydrated when they are unable or unwilling to drink enough water.
  • Mobility — Poor mobility can limit a dog’s ability to interact with the world around them. Address mobility by selecting safe pain and anti-inflammatory medications and by modifying the home environment with rugs or runners to provide traction. Support harnesses and carts may also be appropriate.

Client Support

Open and empathetic communication with pet owners is essential during the end-of-life period. Veterinary professionals should provide education about the pet’s condition, prognosis, and care options and remain open-minded and non-judgemental during discussions. End-of-life care can take a physical, emotional, and financial toll on clients. Offering simple treatment regimens with the most bang for their buck can reduce the caregiving burden and prevent breakdowns in the human-animal bond.

With a compassionate approach, veterinary professionals can provide exceptional care and QOL during a pet’s final days. The Dechra Quality of Life Survey helps veterinary professionals and pet owners take a step back to objectively assess the pet’s current state and track changes over time. We encourage pet professionals to share the survey with clients and use their answers to discuss treatments and guide decision-making.

For pets facing a lymphoma diagnosis or relapse whose owners cannot or do not wish to pursue chemotherapy, consider Laverdia, an oral drug designed to target cancer cells and spare healthy ones to prolong time to progression (TTP) in canine lymphoma. Learn more about Laverdia here.

This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT.

Want to learn more about Fear Free? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on upcoming events, specials, courses, and more by clicking here.

Brought to you by our friends at Dechra.

Preserving the Human-Canine Bond Through Superior Flea and Tick Control

The relationship between clients and their dogs has deepened as more people integrate their pets into daily routines, sharing everything from the food on their plates to the places they sleep. While this close harmony strengthens the mutual benefits of the human-animal bond, it also increases the chance of sharing unwanted parasites.

Ensure nothing—including fleas, ticks, and their associated diseases—can come between your clients and their canine companions with effective parasite education and prevention.

Making room for Fido: Is letting your dog sleep with you OK?

Before we explore the unseemly world of parasites, let’s pull back the covers on canine sleeping arrangements.

According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, FFCP-V, sharing the bed with a dog is acceptable and, in some cases, advantageous for the dog or pet parent. “More and more people want that comfort and affection,” Herron said. “Having a canine companion [share your bed] can be helpful.” However, the dog’s and their owner’s comfort should be a priority. “Not every dog is going to enjoy sharing the bed,” said Herron, citing the need for undisturbed sleep or cooler temperatures as common reasons why. “Some dogs do great in a crate or sprawled out on a hardwood floor.”

While some owners worry that treating their dogs like humans (i.e., anthropomorphism) may lead to a sense of dominance or behavior problems, Herron says this is not the case, adding “there is no known correlation between these interactions and behavior issues.”

When sharing isn’t caring: Health risks

Physical closeness is an everyday way for people and dogs to grow their relationships, but without proper precautions, it can also increase their risk for certain health hazards. Fleas and ticks can easily move from dogs to humans, often unbeknownst to us as we sleep or rest. While ticks are less nimble than fleas—who can jump two feet high and 40 to 100 times their body length—unattached ticks can easily migrate from dog to owner.

In addition to causing painful bites, fleas and ticks can infest the client’s home, trigger flea allergy dermatitis, and transmit harmful diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis, through their saliva. Such challenges can potentially compromise the human-animal bond, as discomfort, illness, or household changes (e.g., alternative sleeping arrangements) can cause fear, anxiety, and stress in pets and people alike.

Ultimate comfort: Protecting the dog-owner bond with effective parasite prevention

Fortunately, many parasite preventive options are available for dogs that can prevent undesirable bedfellows such as fleas and ticks and help dogs and owners preserve their close relationship. “There are preventions out there that can stop parasite-related problems before they even start and help treat the problem if it has started,” Herron said.

The best product for each canine patient will depend on the dog’s preferences and comfort, and practical matters such as convenience and efficacy. The two parasiticide types include:

  • Topical products — These liquid medications are applied to the skin between the dog’s shoulder blades and are absorbed rapidly. While most dogs tolerate these products well, some may be sensitive to the physical restraint required during the application or to the applicator’s or product’s sensation on their skin. In these situations, topical products and their application can create stress for the dog and pet parent.
  • Oral products —  Oral parasiticides are available as chewable tablets or flavored chews. They can be a convenient, mess-free, and fast-acting option for dogs who readily take medication by mouth. According to Herron, these products “provide the same level of protection [as topical products], but the dog can eat it like a treat,” creating a less stressful experience for both the dog and owner.

Effective parasite prevention isn’t only about safeguarding health but nurturing and enhancing the human-animal bond by preventing infestation and disease, and associated fear, anxiety, and stress. Educating pet parents about how proper prevention protects their dog’s physical wellbeing and their ability to share in all aspects of life—from mealtime to bedtime—can help ensure more dogs and people enjoy greater health, happiness, and harmony.

This article was reviewed/edited by board-certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kenneth Martin and/or veterinary technician specialist in behavior Debbie Martin, LVT.

Want to learn more about Fear Free? Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop on upcoming events, specials, courses, and more by clicking here.

Brought to you by our friends at Elanco.

Tips for Fear Free® Heartworm Treatment

Heartworm treatment can be challenging for dogs, but keeping them calm and quiet can minimize their risk of increased stress. Try these tips to prevent treatment-related stress and facilitate a Fear Free heartworm treatment experience. Brought to you by our friends at Elanco.

Gentle Control: The Art of Strategic Restraint

Creating Inclusive Spaces in the Pet Professional Industry

In honor of Pride Month, join us for an insightful discussion on the importance of inclusivity in the workplace and how it leads to better care for pets, owners, and professionals in the industry. Our panel of experts will share their experiences and best practices for fostering a culture of acceptance and support within your community.

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Fear Free Handling Essentials: Empowering Care for High FAS Patients

Fear Free Handling Essentials: Empowering Care for High FAS Patients

We know considering the pet’s emotional wellbeing and offering treats during veterinary visits is practicing good medicine. Although, when patients have moderate to high levels of fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS), treats may not be enough for our furry friends. In this webinar, we will explore how veterinary practices can go beyond treats to ensure a positive emotional experience for every patient, especially those with moderate to high FAS.

This webinar will cover a comprehensive Fear Free visit approach, with thoughtful considerations for high FAS patients that benefits patient, client, and team wellbeing. Discover how to craft a tailored visit that addresses the unique needs of high FAS patients, incorporating creative details and remaining adaptable throughout the appointment. From subtle changes in approach to proactive planning, we’ll cover strategies to facilitate successful veterinary care while prioritizing patient comfort.

Sherrie Yuschak, RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA-CTP, Elite FFCP-V is a faculty member of the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Behavior and Training where she contributes to the curriculum and teaches several courses. She is a Practice Certification Consultant for Fear Free℠ and has collaborated on several Fear Free℠ educational modules, and certification standards, and is a member of their Speakers Bureau. Sherrie has been a Registered Veterinary Technician for over 25 years with 12 years specializing in animal behavior. Her experience encompasses general practice, academia, research, specialty practice, and consulting. Still passionate about continuing education, Sherrie frequently attends events, lectures at veterinary conferences, and publishes articles and book chapters including the Low Stress Handling book revision and American Animal Hospital Association behavior education booklets. Sherrie is also an Editorial Advisory Board member of Today’s Veterinary Nurse and a Family Paws Parent Educator contributor.

In this webinar, you will learn how to:
– Implement tools that go beyond treats when working with moderate to high FAS patients
– Plan a comprehensive and individualized approach to each appointment for the moderate to high FAS patient
– Observe subtle changes & adapt to those changes throughout the appointment
– Engage every team member in the care plan

You must be a Fear Free Certified Practice member and logged in to view this webinar.

Building Trust, Preventing Bites: Proactive dog bite prevention and handling strategies

Building Trust, Preventing Bites: Proactive dog bite prevention and handling strategies

Join us as we explore how being proactive, rather than reactive, can significantly enhance workplace safety and foster a harmonious environment for both humans and pets. Discover practical techniques and approaches to mitigate potential aggression and create a happier, safer workplace for everyone involved.

Mealtime Mayhem in Multipet Households

Mealtime Mayhem in Multipet Households

Does mealtime feel frenzied or nerve-wracking when caring for multiple pets in the same household? It’s not uncommon for pet professionals, and even pet parents themselves, to feel frazzled or even anxious during these moments, but have you also considered how the pets might be feeling in the frenzy?

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