In veterinary medicine, we pride ourselves on our ability to end suffering.
We are fortunate to be able to offer humane euthanasia as a common and widely accepted practice for those canine patients with terminal illnesses or poor quality of life.
But is euthanasia always the answer? And does it need to happen immediately?
Pets are part of the family, so it is not surprising that pet owners are looking for ways to keep their furry companions with them as long as possible.
Veterinary hospice care and in-home euthanasia services are in increasingly high demand, yet this growing field is often undervalued among veterinary professionals.
Meanwhile, our human medicine colleagues have offered hospice care for decades.
Their experiences can provide us with a useful framework for implementing this type of care for veterinary patients.
In human medicine, the value of home care for the terminally ill patient has been well-recognised ever since…
