Whether you have a cat with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, a dog with degenerative arthritis or terminal cancer, we are here to listen and support you through this difficult time with an integrated approach. We do this through house calls so that you and your pet are fear-free, relaxed and in familiar surroundings.
It's a veterinary consult with a difference... put on some music, pour a cuppa and settle into your favourite sofa with your fury friend in prime position on your lap. We are happy for you to do whatever it takes to enjoy every moment with your pet and get the most out of the consultation. The initial consultation involves discussing things like your pets diagnosis, quality of life and current treatment in addition to a full physical exam and getting a feel for their home environment and routine. After the consultation, we develop a comprehensive but easy to follow palliative care, pain management and hospice (or as we like to say pawspice) plan. We talk you through each step and make sure that you understand the plan and that it fits with your comfort levels, lifestyle and expectations.
We also understand that there is a team working to keep your pet comfortable and we prioritise collaboration with your primary veterinarian, specialist veterinarians and allied health professionals to ensure the best outcome is achieved.
When is the "right" time? In its simple form, measuring Quality of Life (QoL) means answering the question ‘Is my pet having more bad days than good days and ? Every terminal pet deserves a plan. Download the QoL scale for more information.
As the guru Dr. Alice Villalobos says, "palliation means doing something for our pal to make things better". We can perform a range of treatments at home where your pet is most comfortable and relaxed. These include sub-cutaneous fluids, bandages, enemas, wound care and medications.
Pawspice care focuses on you and your pet having control, dignity and comfort during the time remaining. We provide educational tools and products to help with incontinence, hygiene mobility and nutrition. We are able to conduct telemedicine should you need to talk through things but don't need a face-to-face consultation.
Assessing your pet in their home environment gives a more reliable indicator of pain they are experiencing. We draw not only on medications but on physical therapy, mobility support, education and pain scoring tools to help us manage your pets pain effectively.
When the time has come, we help your pet to walk over the rainbow bridge with peace and dignity in a familiar environment being sent off surrounded by the humans they love.
When deciding what to do with your pet's remains, having all the options explained makes this difficult decision a little easier. We can also provide options for grief counselling in the area should you need to talk to someone about your loss.
“I have sometimes thought of the final cause of pets having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in loving a pet after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?”