Quality of Life

There is no hard and fast answer to this question, but the primary concern should always be “what is best for your pet?”. The more information you have in regard to the causes of your pet’s condition, the better decisions you can make for your pet. Your regular veterinarian can offer valuable assistance in this regard.

The following is a list of some things to consider when assessing your pet’s quality of life:

 

• No longer interested in food or water
• Incontinence (accidents in the house) or unable to go to the bathroom without falling down
• Mobility concerns
• No longer greeting you when you come home;
• Lack of grooming (cats and some dogs);
• Isolates themselves from the people or other pets in the home, particularly in places they usually do not go;
• Decreased interest in playing;
• Unable to stand or walk on their own;
• Change in attitude (depression, aggression, confusion);
• Not wanting to do the things they love;
• Fewer "good" days than bad.
• Is there a reasonable expectation that your pet can return to a good quality of life, given his/her medical condition(s)?