Dr Kathleen Cooney set up a full end of life service in her native Colorado.

Dr Kathleen Cooney discusses hospice care

Dr Kathleen Cooney, president of the International Association of Animal Hospices and Palliative Care (IAAHPC), spoke to London Vet Show delegates about what hospice care is and how it has developed in the United States.

Realising that pet owners were often afraid, unsupported and alone when their pet was dying, she decided to reach out to these owners earlier and set up a full 'end of life' service in her native Colorado.

It has taken time for the hospice movement to grow - 2008 saw the first veterinary hospice conference in California and in 2009 the IAAHPC was launched.

The term 'hospice' describes a philosophy of care for a dying animal and the comfort and care that begins when there is a terminal diagnosis.

Currently, few pets or owners receive support from their practices between the giving of medication for a terminal illness and the pet either dying at home or being brought in for euthanasia.

Hospice care covers all the stages in the pet's decline, providing palliative care, natural death support, euthanasia, pet loss support and body care.

The IAAHPC provide guidelines for hospice care, covering these five important areas: the non-curative medical comfort of palliative care, the understanding of the physiology of death, the skills required to achieve a humane assisted death, support for the family before during and after the pet's death and a full understanding of all the options for body care and disposal.

This lecture opened up an area of the veterinary surgeon's work that is often not freely discussed and raised issues regarding how clients need to be supported and educated.

Many practices carry out parts of the hospice work in excellent ways but currently there is little in the way of a comprehensive support system for the pet and owner during what is a sad and stressful time in the pet-owner relationship.

Image courtesy of London Vet Show