Compassionate care continues beyond a terminal diagnosis for pets. Animals deserve comfort and loving support from their owners during their final stages of life. Many veterinarians may not have extensive training in palliative care, creating a gap that pet owners can help bridge by engaging more actively in their pets' needs. Effective approaches include recognizing signs of pain and addressing them. Various senses like scent, touch, sound, and taste can improve a pet's remaining life. Solutions for anxiety, boredom, and frustration are important for maintaining a pet's quality of life.
"I'm sorry. There is nothing more we can do." These are some of the hardest words a pet owner can hear from their veterinarian. In that moment, it can feel like the floor drops out.
Even after a terminal diagnosis or a sharp decline in health, there is still so much we can do to ensure our pets are comfortable, happy, and deeply loved.
Veterinarians do incredible, emotionally demanding work, and their expertise saves lives every day but many of them receive very limited training in palliative and end-of-life care.
When we hear those words - "there is nothing more we can do" - let's reframe them. Because even though a cure may be off the table, care is not.
Collection
[
|
...
]