What is veterinary hospice and palliative care?
What is veterinary hospice and palliative care?
For many people, the words “hospice” and “palliative care” have negative connotations. They feel that these words are synonymous with giving up, or allowing the patient to waste away with no interventions. Palliative care simply means that we are choosing to treat in a different way – instead of focusing on curing the underlying problem, we are focusing on maintaining good quality of life and comfort. We are choosing the treatments that have fewer risks and adverse side effects. When we have the option between an aggressive option like surgery that has higher risks but higher potential benefits, versus medication that has lower potential benefits but also lower risks, we take the second option. Palliative care means that our goal is different – instead of aiming for a cure, we are aiming for good quality of life. Hospice care is the care given to our patients as they are dying. We know that they will pass from the disease, but we want them to pass in a comfortable setting. Hospice care is an option once your pet gets closer to the end of life.
For both hospice and palliative care, we don’t only treat the pet – we also treat the whole family. We have to be able to listen to the family and come up with a plan that works for the family, including the pet. We try to balance the needs of the pet with the limitations of their caregivers – we want everyone involved to have a fulfilling journey. Ideally, the patient is able to stay home as much as possible where they are surrounded by their typical environment and the people they love.
A few things to remember about both hospice and palliative care – it is a choice. You are choosing how best to proceed, based on your situation and lifestyle. If you choose to pursue palliative or hospice care, you are still choosing to care. However, if you choose palliative and hospice care, you may not be able to change your mind and decide on a more aggressive treatment (such as surgery). You have to be comfortable with your decision. You are a vital part of your pet’s care. You are their voice, and so you have to keep a close eye on them and communicate with all the members of your pet’s team to come up with a solution for a good quality of life.
If you feel that it is time to pursue palliative care or hospice care, there are veterinarians who are certified. It is important to find a veterinarian that you trust and with whom you can work closely.
We can’t always cure, but we can always comfort and care.