Vet Talk
How to assess your senior pet’s quality of life and provide support
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Monitor your pet regularly for changes in its daily life activities and physical health, among other things, to assess whether interventions are needed to improves its quality of life.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Colin Foo
SINGAPORE – Fur babies are the love of pet owners’ lives and, for some people, a source of emotional support.
The owners endeavour to provide the best for their pets throughout their lives, but few feel prepared for their golden years.
Some of the hardest decisions owners need to make for their pets revolve around geriatric and end-of-life care. An animal’s quality of life (QoL) can change, sometimes drastically because of accidents, sickness or simply growing old. Being able to assess your pet’s QoL is crucial for the welfare of the animal.
Recognise early warning signs
The first step lies with the owner. Between daily observations of your pet and regular veterinary visits for vaccinations or check-ups, there may be small signs that seem innocuous at first.
For example: She did not make the jump onto the sofa. He is not eating with as much gusto as before and not finishing his food. Did she just bump into the chair that was in plain sight? Why is he urinating and defecating outside the litter tray?
QoL assessments evaluate four aspects:
Daily life activities – Desire to be with family, level of “grumpiness”.
Physical health – Outward signs of pain, underlying organ issues, pacing or excessive panting.
Mental health – Enjoyment of favourite activities, signs of anxiety, confusion or changes in sleeping patterns.
Natural functions – Eating and drinking habits, urinating and defecating.
Evaluating the QoL of a pet and making any decisions based on it should be an educated, informed and supported choice. Most veterinarians would be able to walk an owner through the steps that can be taken to alleviate issues associated with a decreased QoL.
Understanding QoL scores and intervention stages
Veterinary practices may have a QoL form or can guide the owners on how to observe their pet at home. This comes with an associated score which gives the owner an indication of how well his or her pet is coping.
The score is usually categorised into three or more groups.
The first group includes pets that are doing well and do not require interventions.
The second group consists of animals that have become slower and require small interventions to daily life or changes in routines. These include adding a step to give the pet easy access to the couch or bed, switching to a shallower litter tray or changing its diet.
As the condition progresses, supplements and long-term medication such as pain relief may be considered to ensure that the pet continues to have a good QoL. Pets in this group will most certainly benefit from veterinary oversight.
Dr Colin Foo see here with his cat Pepe, says that veterinarians can guide pet owners on how to assess their pets at home.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF COLIN FOO
Animals in the third category are of biggest concern, as they will start to require aggressive intervention to maintain a good QoL.
They may struggle to get up without assistance, soil themselves regularly or no longer seek the company of the family. They may show signs of pain – excessive panting, whining or aggression – or they could have mental changes and appear to be confused.
Animals in this group may require multiple layers of pain relief or significant lifestyle changes, such as needing the owner’s constant presence. These changes and demands will likely intensify in the near future.
The assessment of QoL for a pet is ongoing and setting reminders to recheck the list regularly ensures that your pet does not suffer any longer than necessary.
Making difficult decisions
Eventually, the QoL of the pet may reach a point where it is no longer sustainable for both animal and owner. The pet cannot achieve a good QoL despite aggressive interventions and the owner is unable to keep up with the escalating needs of the animal.
Under such circumstances, the owner must make some very difficult end-of-life decisions such as euthanasia or palliative care. There are a few considerations to help owners make an educated, informed and supported choice.
When approaching these decisions, it can be helpful to reflect on your personal, religious and spiritual beliefs, but it is important to consider what your pet is going through too.
1. What are your concerns regarding euthanasia? Discuss these with your veterinarian and understand the process.
2. What is the value for my pet and my family in continuing to live this way? Is this a life worth living for my pet?
3. Am I able to provide the necessary support for my pet in its end-of-life care?
4. Is the pain experienced by my pet controlled by medication?
Starting the conversation early, especially with your veterinarian, is vital. Your veterinarian will be able to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to ensure that the QoL of your pet is maintained at an acceptable level.
Early, open conversations with family members and all caregivers involved are also important. These preparations allow your beloved pets to leave you peacefully and with dignity.
Dr Colin Foo is a veterinarian and the deputy director of the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation at the Animal & Veterinary Service.
Vet Talk is a fortnightly column where veterinarians offer advice on pet issues.
