How a Quality of Life Scale can help you decide when you euthanize your pet.

Of all of the myriad decisions we make throughout our pet’s life, deciding when to choose euthanasia is by far the most difficult. It is a decision that is full of emotion, but also must be addressed from a practical standpoint that considers our emotional, physical, and financial resources. I’ve written previously about the emotional aspect of this decision and now turn to more objective tools and resources. As always, I am happy to be a resource during this time. I have walked this road many times with my personal pets and patients. No two situations are the same, and every decision is individual to the situation of the pet and their people.

An Objective Measure of your Pet’s Daily Joy

If you are searching for an objective measure of your pet’s daily joy and quality of life, there are many tools that can help. Quality of life (QOL) scales can be used to help at the time you are making a euthanasia decision, or can be used to track your pet’s health over a period of days, weeks, or months. Since we live with our pets every day, it can be hard to notice subtle changes in their health as we quickly adjust to the ‘new normal.’ In addition to using a QOL scale, you can consider looking back through your photos or videos of your pet to help better see changes or ask a friend or family member who does not see your pet as often. 

Maximizing the time they are healthy and happy

Our goal in making end-of-life decisions for our pets is to have their healthspan be as close to equal as possible to their lifespan. The healthspan is the measure of time where your pet is healthy and free of major disease or pain. Essentially, we want them to feel as good as possible for as long as possible and make a euthanasia decision that prevents pain and suffering. 

There are a number of different QOL assessments that can be helpful in making end-of-life decisions for our pets. We can also use a QOL scale to pinpoint areas of concern for our pets so we can work with our veterinarian to improve QOL where possible. 

Here are a few of the quality of life tools that I find most helpful

The Ohio State Honoring the Bond Program 

This program provides a QOL scale as well as a great document that gives guidelines in making treatment decisions for your pet as well as some myths and questions about euthanasia. 

 

The HHHHHMM Scale 

This scale was created by one of the pioneers of Veterinary Hospice, Dr. Alice Villalobos. It measures hurt, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, mobility and more good days than bad on a 0-10 scale. After filling out the scale you will have a quantitative number representing your pet’s QOL. A score over 35 is an acceptable quality of life. 

 

The Lap of Love Quality of Life Scale

This scale takes into consideration the physical and emotional QOL of your pet as well as the concerns of the family as a whole. 

 

The Journeys Quality of Life Scale 

This scale was created by local Journeys Home founder, Dr. Katie Hilst. 

 

How to use a quality of life tool

While using any of these scales it is important to be honest, often your first response is the best, most true, response. It can also be helpful to have different family members fill out the scales independently and then compare. This can be a great conversation starter and allows each family member to openly share their thoughts. 

A QOL assessment is a valuable tool that can help you and your veterinarian make decisions about your pet’s health and can provide the objective information you need to help with a euthanasia decision. As always, I can help you work through these assessments during an in person or virtual visit. This is hard stuff. Your pet is so lucky that you are taking the time and energy to make a decision fueled by love and in their best interest.