Furkidlets' Mom
Aug 17 2006, 03:23 PM
And here's a good one for those needing some definable markers for deciding when the time is right, or better, for euthanasia.
Defining Quality of Life
Furkidlets' Mom
Jan 7 2009, 07:21 PM
I just wanted to add another Quality of Life article to this first article I'd posted about long ago. You should read them both, though.
This newer one gives a short list which you can put a number to for each "quality of life" aspect in order to get a total score/rating by which to HELP you decide whether it's "time" or not. It's by no means 'exhaustive' by itself, but to my mind, should only be used as a general indication and guideline of how your furbaby is doing at any one time. As always, you must also listen to your heart, your intuition (gut feelings) and factor in your own kidlet's personality &/or how you think THEY think they're doing. After all, you are the one who should know them and their own preferences best. And further, I'm sure they don't mean that if only one or two days are 'bad', that's reason to jump the gun, but more as an overall picture, or if the animal has been in decline with a condition for some time. Common sense must also rule these decisions, as best you can determine that.
I love their term for Hospice for animals, though --- Pawspice".
This is a tool to help us gauge our pet's quality of life. There are exceptions to every individual animal. This is simply a tool to assist us in very difficult times of angst and grief.
Quality of Life Scale 1
The HHHHHMM Scale
Pet caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine the success of
Pawspice care. Using a scale of 1 to 10, patients can be scored.
Score Criterion
H: 0 - 10 HURT - Adequate pain control, including breathing ability,
is first and foremost on the scale. Is the pet's pain
successfully managed? Is Oxygen neccesary?
H: 0 - 10 HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help?
Does the patient require a feeding tube?
H: 0 - 10 HYDRATION - Is the patient dehydrated? For patients not drinking
enough, use subcutaneous fluids once or twice daily to
supplement fluid intake.
H: 0 - 10 HYGIENE - The patient should be kept brushed and cleaned,
particularly after elimination, avoid pressure sores and keep
all wounds clean.
H: 0 - 10 HAPPINESS - Does the pet express joy and interest? Is he responsive
to things around him (family, toys, etc)? Is the pet depressed,
lonely, anxious, bored or afraid? Can the pet's bed be close to the
family activities and not be isolated?
M: 0 - 10 MOBILITY - Can the patient get up without assistance?
Does the pet need human or mechanical help (e.g. a cart)?
Does he feel like going for a walk? Is he having seizures
or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable
to amputation, yet an animal who has limited mobility but is
still alert and responsive can have a good quality of life as long
as his caregivers are committed to helping him.)
M: 0 - 10 MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD - When bad days outnumber good
days, quality of life might be too compromised.
When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible,
the caregiver must be made aware the end is near.
The decision needs to be made if the pet is suffering.
If death comes peacefully and painlessly, that is okay.
*Total= *A total >35 points is acceptable for a good Pawspice
1.Adapted by Villalobos, A.E., Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN, 09/2004,
for Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology Honoring the Human-Animal Bond, by
Blackwell Publishing, Table 10.1, released 2006.
ann
Jan 15 2009, 02:44 AM
Another helpful article. Thanks Furkidlets Mom..Ann
Furkidlets' Mom
Jan 21 2009, 04:58 AM
You're welcome. I guess I should add that not enough particulars are given in this scale's descriptions, to be of fuller use on its own.
For example, oxygen may indeed be necessary, but it may not be available at every clinic, or, if the patient can't be moved safely due to the added stress this might cause, mobile oxygen may not be available or allowed for animals in the home.....a sad state for our companions' health care needs, to be sure! So this is something that should be checked ahead of time with one's vet, in case arrangements might need to be made in a hurry later on.
Or, regarding sub-cu. fluids, you can't make a blanket statement like this about how much need be given/day, as this is highly individual to each animal and is based on many factors.
So as a general guideline, your animal's specific needs must be monitored and checked with a good vet who's hopefully familiar enough with not only the patient but with the caregiver and their abilities to provide what's needed.
Aaron
Apr 18 2013, 11:40 AM
here is the updated URL referenced in post #1:
http://www.pet-loss.net/quality.shtml