Quality of Life
APPOINTMENTJust like humans, every pet will experience and react to changes in their body differently. This is also highly dependent on the disease process at hand, which is why in-depth discussions with your regular veterinarian are so important. For example, the decision to euthanize a Yorkie with congestive heart failure will need to be made before painful symptoms (such as difficulty breathing) arise. Alternatively, an older Labrador with arthritis can be maintained at home with adequate pain management for an extended amount of time. It’s important to understand the disease process your pet is experiencing in order to properly evaluate the quality of life.
Resources from our friends at Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice.
Click here to download a printable quality of life calendar.
Click here to download a quality of life scale.
End-of-life and Grief Counseling
The University of Tennessee’s Veterinary Social Work Program offers 4, 30 minute FREE counseling sessions for clients of pets going through end-of-life or grief after the loss of a beloved pet
Contact information:
Call: (865) 755-8839
Website: https://vetsocialwork.utk.edu/pet-loss-support-group-2/
Pet Loss Partners Chat
Below is a list of some of the most common factors that are taken into consideration when determining and evaluating the quality of life of your pet and what roles they play in the difficult decision for euthanasia.
Pain
Common signs of pain in cats and dogs: Pacing, excessive panting, hiding in unique areas, not seeking interaction with family, growling, snarling, snapping, immobility, whining, not eating, flinching when touched.
Incontinence
Happiness
What about a natural death?
Appetite
Mobility
Waiting Too Long
Weigh Your Options Carefully
We are here to help make this time a bit easier on everyone. We are aimed at maintaining comfort, quality of life, and the human-animal bond for as long as needed; we are here for you!
We understand that caring for a sick or geriatric pet can be stressful and provides many unique challenges. The team at Pet Caregiver Burden offer helpful advice on caring for yourself while also caring for your pets.
End of Life Services and the Serenity Garden
It’s never easy when it comes time to say goodbye to our beloved pets, and in the current situation, we know many families have struggled to say goodbye in unfamiliar circumstances.
The Serenity Garden at Lake Road Animal Hospital is a private, quiet, outdoor space where the family can gather when it comes time to bid farewell to a furry family member. We do ask that all members present wear a mask covering their mouth and nose, but there is no limit on the number of individuals who may be present to say goodbye to a cherished pet in the Serenity Garden.
When your pet arrives for this appointment, they will be brought inside the hospital for placement of an IV catheter. They may receive a sedation medication at this time to aid in their comfort but will be returned to you before any additional medications are administered.
Address
Hours
Tue: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wed: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thur: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Fri: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Contact & Connect
Phone (call or text): 607-733-6503
Fax: 607-733-3656
Email: [email protected]
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Directions from Corning:
- Take 17/86 east towards Binghamton
- Take Exit 53 (Horseheads) exit and stay to the right
- Go through two lights, and at the third light take a right onto South Main, this turns in to Lake Road
- The hospital is ~1.5 mile on the right
Directions from Elmira – local roads:
- Take Church St. or Water St.to the Madison Ave Bridge
- Take a left on to Madison Ave, this turns in to Lake St, and then to Lake Rd.
- Follow Lake St. to Lake Rd. past Curly’s Chicken, the hospital is ~1/2 mile on the left
Directions from Elmira – highway:
- Take 17/86 West towards Horseheads/Corning
- Take Exit 54 towards Horseheads/Rt 13
- Stay to the left to exit towards Horseheads
- At the light, take a left on to South Main which turns in to Lake Road
- The hospital is ~1.5 mile on the right