The Compassion of Euthanasia
This quiz can help you evaluate the quality of life of your pet when making decisions about hospice and end-of-life care. It also assesses your quality of life to help you make an informed choice.
Analysis by Dr. Karen Shaw Becker
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By: Dr. Dani McVety
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Dr. Dani McVety, founder and CEO of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, discusses how to evaluate quality of life for your pet when considering euthanasia
- Pain and suffering, and the overall happiness of your pet, are the two most important considerations
- Quality of life applies not only to your pet but also to you
- The Lap of Love Pet Quality-of-Life Scale quiz, developed by Dr. McVety, can further assist you with this difficult decision
Editor's Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published March 22, 2022.
In the video above, Dr. Dani McVety, founder and CEO of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, discusses how to evaluate quality of life for your pet when considering euthanasia. Pain and suffering, and the overall happiness of your pet, are the two most important considerations.
To make sure that your pet’s passing is as calm, loving and peaceful as it can possibly be, quality of death should also be considered, including what you risk if you wait too long. There’s often no right or wrong answer when it comes to the decision of euthanasia, and there may be a significant time period during which determining the “best” time is subjective.
Your veterinarian should partner with you to determine when hospice is the best option and, if and when the time comes, when and where euthanasia will take place. The quiz below, developed by Dr. McVety, can further assist you with this difficult decision.
