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What Is The Quality Of Life Scale For Dogs And Cats?

If you have an elderly pet and have been searching for information about the right time for pet euthanasia, you may have heard of a quality-of-life scale for dogs. Out of several ways to assess your pet’s quality of life, I want to tell you about the scale commonly known as the HHHHHMM scale


Veterinary doctor Dr. Alice Villalobos developed this scale to measure how comfortable your pet is in several areas of life. Looking at each of these areas individually pulls together a clear picture of how your dog or cat is feeling on the whole.



Does your dog or cat enjoy a good quality of life?
Does your dog or cat enjoy a good quality of life?

The HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale


The letters used in this quality of life scale for dogs and cats stand for Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and “More good days than bad days.” If you look at your pet in terms of these topics and base your assessment on these criteria, you’ll know whether to call in a mobile veterinarian who can make the final assessment for you on the need for in-home euthanasia.



Hurt


The last thing you want is for your dog or cat to be in pain. Maybe you didn’t know, but difficulty breathing can be one of the most painful experiences for your pet. Since breathing is an involuntary body reaction, if breathing hurts, it means your pet is constantly in pain. 


Hurt or pain should definitely be at the top of your quality of life checklist. There are ways pain can be controlled, depending on the cause and the duration, but you do want your pet to be comfortable.



Hunger


Obviously, food and drink are crucial to all life, so this is the next most important on your list. Is your pet able to eat on their own, or are they no longer interested in food? 


If your furry friend isn’t getting the nutrition they need to live comfortably, you should check with a veterinarian whether your pet might need extra assistance or it’s time to say goodbye. Smaller animals can deteriorate quickly if malnutrition sets in.



Hydration


Water - the elixir of life. We all need enough of it to keep us healthy, but many of us humans live in a semi-permanent state of dehydration. Animals instinctively know when to drink, but if you notice your cat or dog isn’t drinking enough, maybe they’re already suffering from mild dehydration. Lack of water can do odd things to humans, such as causing headaches and palpitations. Here are a few symptoms to look out for in pets.


  • Dry mouth

  • Panting

  • Thick saliva

  • Lack of energy

  • Constipation



Hygiene


Can your pet still get up and go to the bathroom alone? Can they control these bathroom urges and make it outside in time, or do they soil themselves or leave you gifts around your home? You may consider doggy diapers if your dog is small, but this is a much less desirable solution for larger dogs.


Does your dog or cat still clean themself? Will they allow you to bathe, brush, or clean them? 


If your pet’s skin becomes sensitive as it hasn’t before, they may need a visit from a mobile veterinarian. It may just be an allergen, but when your pet is older, it’s best to have them checked out in case it’s something more invasive.



Happiness


This is also an important question when contemplating in-home pet euthanasia. Is your pet still happy with life? Dogs can express so much by the look in their eyes. You can tell whether they’re happy, bored, or upset just by looking them in the eyes.

 

If your cat or dog no longer wants to interact as they used to, doesn’t respond as they normally would, or is acting reserved and detached or ‘against their usual nature,’ pay attention to them and see if they perk up.


If they don’t respond as you’d expect them to when you offer a favorite toy, a scratch behind the ears, or some other measure of affection, something may be bothering them.



Mobility


Mobility is very important for your pet. Can your pet still move around without your help? Do they want to go out for a walk, or do you have to bribe them with treats? Do they need help with steps or with getting into the car? 


Do they stumble, or do their legs give out when they move around? Are they on meds for aching joints? Are the meds still having a beneficial effect?


You can easily help small pets by picking them up or using slings, but there may not be such an easy solution for larger dogs. Consider whether you think these mobility problems might affect your pet’s quality of life.



More Good Days Than Bad


We all want good days, but bad days always seem to pop up when you least expect them. Bad days for your pet might include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or seizures. There are many causes for these symptoms, so if you witness these problems, you should have your pet see a veterinarian to assess if there’s an underlying condition.


The bottom line is, when your dog or cat is having more bad days than good, and when you don’t feel like your human/animal connection is how it used to be, maybe it’s time to consider goodbye with at-home pet euthanasia.



 


Use this quality of life scale for dogs and cats in the blog post above to make your own initial assessment. If you prefer a checklist style of assessment, you might wish to print and use this quality-of-life scale for dogs and cats developed by the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. 


If you feel you need the opinion of a qualified veterinarian, give me a call. I can help you make that difficult decision.


Making the decision for pet euthanasia is definitely a kindness to pets that may be suffering to stay with you and keep you happy.









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