Your beloved pets can suffer from various debilitating medical problems in their senior years. Your healthy pet may begin to experience disorders that can reduce its quality of life. Many senior pets suffer from arthritic joints, hearing loss, vision problems and impaired organ function.
At Loving Paws Veterinary House Calls, we understand that some pet owners may not have the time or resources to dedicate to their pets during their end-of-life stages. Sometimes, taking your senior pets to the vet may bring further anxiety and stress, which is why we provide in-home pet hospice care you can rely on.
Signs That You Need In-Home Pet Hospice Care
From our experience, we know that owners know their pets better than anyone else. You can tell if something is wrong based on your experience with your pet’s behavior. A veterinarian can confirm your suspicions when you request a house call. Here are some symptoms to look out for that will tell you if you need in-home pet hospice care.
- Difficulty breathing normally.
- Bouts of vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
- Unexplained behavioral changes.
- Cough that doesn’t go away on its own.
- Sudden weight gain or weight loss.
- Changes in your pet’s appetite.
- Increased vocalization.
- Weakness and lethargy.
- Unexplained lumps.
- Signs of pain and discomfort.
- Limping or stiffness in the limbs.
Hospice care for senior pets is something you can provide to your pets to show them the love and care they deserve. At Loving Paws Veterinary House Calls, we offer three types of consultation so you can determine how to best care for your senior pets.
In-Home Hospice Care for Senior Pets
In-home hospice care is a service we provide to support pets during their end-of-life phase. Our goal is to provide medical care and comfort during this trying time in their lives. We also offer advice and best pest practices on what to do to have a positive hospice experience for your pet. Our service is designed to help senior pets and their families through the emotional and difficult process of preparing for their loved one’s passing.
A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary technician or a trained pet hospice caregiver can provide in-home hospice care. At Loving Paws Veterinary House Calls, our team works closely with pet owners to provide personalized care. This way, we can meet the unique needs of both the senior pets and their families.
We strive to improve your pet’s quality of life by providing access to professional medical care while at home. When you consult with our team, we offer solutions for mobility assistance, hydration support, proper nutrition for senior pets and pain management.
Here are some of the services you can expect from our team:
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- Nutritional Support: Senior pets may be difficult to feed and have special nutritional needs compared to younger animals. Our team provides guidance regarding your pet’s diet according to their unique medical conditions. We also provide you with advice to assist with their feeding if needed.
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- Pain Management: This is one of the primary services you can expect from our team. Your senior pet will experience much pain and difficulty as they deal with various illnesses and physical conditions. Our team will provide you with medication and alternative therapies that can help ease the discomfort your pet may be experiencing.
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- Hygiene Care: Senior pets may have difficulty grooming themselves due to limitations imposed by their current health conditions. Our team can provide guidance or, if needed, grooming hygiene and incontinence care, ensuring your pet’s comfort during the final stages of their lives.
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- Mobility Solutions: Senior pets will have limited mobility due to certain physical or medical conditions, so they will require help moving around comfortably. We can provide mobility aids or point you to resources to help your pet get around the house, such as slings and ramps.
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- Emotional Support: Caring for your senior pets at their end-of-life stage can be emotional for everyone involved. It’s hard to see your beloved pet fade away. For this reason, our team provides counseling and emotional support to help you cope with the current situation.
At Loving Paws Veterinary House Calls, we focus on providing comfort and medical care to your senior pets so they can have a congenial environment during their final days. We support pet owners so they can spend as much quality time with their beloved fur friends and still have the best experience with them.
Hospice Care for Dogs
Our team works closely with families to meet the pet’s needs. This service allows older dogs to live their final days in comfort. Older dogs have unique needs compared to their younger counterparts. They don’t run around as much as they used to, and some pet owners describe them as a bit of a grump as they age.
This behavior change can be due to arthritis and joint pains common in elderly dogs. Some may need assistance moving around the house, especially when climbing stairs or getting in or out of a car.
Older dogs will also require a lower-calorie diet since they don’t digest food as well as they used to. Their metabolism has changed, which means they will need more protein, vitamins and other nutrients.
In addition, senior dogs will also need better dental care since they can experience gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. Our team will help you provide the best dental and medical care so your senior dogs can continue to live comfortably and with the dignity they deserve.
Hospice Care for Cats
Like elderly dogs, older cats have special needs in their end-of-life stage. In-home hospice care for cats ensures their comfort and health during this difficult time.
Older cats won’t be able to move nimbly around the house as they used to. They should have comfortable bedding, steps, ramps and other tools to help them move around quickly.
Our team will also help formulate specialized diets for senior cats that can help manage certain health conditions. They will require a nutrient-rich diet with lower calories.
Older cats will also seem restless and confused at times. They will require comfort and attention from their owners, helping them feel secure in the home. Further, they will need support managing other age-related symptoms, such as poor bladder control and bowel problems.
Knowing When It’s Time to Let Go
In our experience, one of the most challenging decisions for pet owners is knowing when it’s time to let their pets go. For this reason, our team provides humane in-home pet euthanasia when the quality of your pet’s life has declined beyond medical intervention.
Our team can help assess specific symptoms such as chronic pain, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and loss of mobility. We understand that letting go of your beloved pet is never easy. However, with competent medical advice, we can help you with that decision. Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do for your pet is to help end their suffering.
Loving Paws is Here to Help Your Pet Pass Gracefully
At Loving Paws Veterinary House Calls, we provide in-home pet euthanasia and in-home hospice care for senior pets in the most humane way possible. Our medical specialists have over 22 years of experience supporting thousands of senior pet owners. Contact us today for consultation and advice.
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