The last goodbye: End of life care and euthanasia, how to improve outcomes for pets and owners
Hospice care, as a branch of veterinary palliative medicine, focuses on supporting patients and families through the challenges of end-of-life care. In clinical practice, veterinarians engage with hospice principles daily—working within the constraints of each patient’s medical needs, the family’s circumstances, and the resources available. This work carries financial, physical, emotional, and time-related implications that significantly influence how families navigate their pet’s final stage of life.
Hospice care prioritizes quality of life over quantity, reframing end-of-life care as an active, compassionate process rather than a passive waiting period. This presentation will explore the five essential elements of veterinary hospice care: medicine, environment, caregiver support, quality-of-life assessment, and euthanasia. Each of these components plays a critical role in building a holistic, individualized care plan for patients nearing the end of life.
Drawing on her experience as a mobile palliative care vet, Emma will examine each element, offering practical examples and clinical insights. The session aims to challenge conventional perspectives on hospice and euthanasia, equipping veterinary professionals with strategies to better support both patients and their families through this profoundly important stage of care.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Define hospice care and explain its role within veterinary medicine and palliative practice.
- Identify and describe the five essential elements of hospice care and their contribution to holistic, patient-centered support.
- Explore compassionate approaches to euthanasia that reframe the procedure as a respectful, meaningful moment of closure for both patient and family.
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