With cat guardians understanding the value of regular preventive care, and with veterinary medicine becoming a lot more and a lot more advanced, cats live longer lives than ever before. However, despite all the advanced treatment options, some illnesses are considered terminal. In the past, euthanasia was typically the only option pet owners would consider at that stage. An alternative to premature euthanasia that is garnering a lot more attention in the world of pet care is hospice care.
What is hospice care?
The definition of a terminal health problem is an health problem for which there is no cure. It is an active, progressive, irreversible health problem with a fatal prognosis. Hospice care supplies an alternative to prolonged suffering and is created to give supportive care to cats in the final phase of a terminal illness. The goal is to keep the cat comfortable and complimentary of pain, with a focus on quality of life.
Hospice care is not about giving up, or even about dying. It may actually involve supplying a lot more care for a terminally ill cat than pursuing aggressive medical treatment, not less. The decision to supply hospice care must be made in conjunction with your veterinarian, who will become an integral partner in the process.
What does hospice care involve?
Hospice care focuses on keeping the individual comfortable. This may indicate supplying additional soft bedding with easy access to food, litter boxes, and favorite sleeping spots. depending on the cat’s condition, gentle managing may be required because lots of terminal medical conditions create discomfort and pain.
Pain management, also known as palliative care, is one of the cornerstones of hospice care. Cats are masters at hiding pain, so it is up to the cat’s guardian to enjoy for even subtle signs of pain, such as hiding or avoiding contact with family members or changes in sleeping position. work with your cat’s veterinarian to develop an proper pain control program for your cat.
Provide easy access to food and water in any way times. You may need to explore special foods to get an ill cat to eat.
Sick cats may not be able to groom themselves normally. You may have to assist your cat with grooming by gently brushing, and keeping eyes, ears, the area around the mouth and around the rectum and genitalia clean.
There are lots of non-invasive, gentle holistic therapies that can supply relief to terminally ill cats. energy therapies such as Reiki, Healing Touch, Tellington Touch and others are particularly effective.
A time of peace
Hospice care can present logistic and emotional challenges for cats and their guardians, but this can also be a time of peace and boosted bonding with your beloved feline companion. Additionally, hospice care allows cat guardians to gently prepare themselves for the impending loss.
Diagnosis of a terminal health problem does not have to be the end. Hospice care can supply a compassionate and loving final phase of life for both cat and human.
This post was previously published on Answers.com and is republished with permission.
Ingrid King
Table of Contents
What is hospice care?
What does hospice care involve?
A time of peace
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17 comments on Hospice Care: An alternative to premature Euthanasia
Eileen Dillon says:
May 4, 2022 at 5:14 pm
My nearly three year old, Little
One, was dropped off in our subdivision at five weeks old. We bottle fed him. He was diagnosed with Diabetes at the
age of two. He is now in the
emergency clinic and has been
for four days. He has Diabetes
Mellitus and we are now trying
to decide what is best for him.
These comments have helped
with our decision to help him pass over the rainbow bridge.
He has brought so much happiness to
our lives in his young life. thank you and may God bless you all.
Reply
Ann Hutchins says:
January 13, 2022 at 2:37 pm
Appreciate this valuable site.
Reply
Laura says:
October 4, 2021 at 1:04 pm
My Leo has cancer and we have been giving him hospice care with meds but its agony enjoying him only have energy to eat a few bites or drinks or litter box and then be exhausted. This is not care its torture. Today we meet with his vet to decide the next step.
Reply
Carrie says:
January 26, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Thank you for sharing your experience, Laura – it helps to see because our Simon is in a similar situation and we’re trying to bring ourselves to make the tough decision as well. I think of by now Leo has found his way to the rainbow bridge, and I’m sorry for your loss <3 Reply Louise Worrall says: February 3, 2014 at 6:40 am Where can I find a lot more information about Tellington Touch Replynull