The Quality of Life Assessment

The most important factor that I consider when making a decision about euthanasia or formulating a palliative care plan is quality of life. 

Areas to consider when assessing quality of life include:

• ​Adequate pain control
• Freedom from breathing difficulties
• Good blood circulation & ability to maintain own body temperature
• Control of nausea
• Hunger, and a cat's ability to correct malnutrition
• Thirst, and a cat's ability to correct dehydration
• Maintenance of body weight, muscle mass & skin/coat condition
• Hygiene if soiling
• Mobility, especially if assistance is needed to get up, move around and carry out normal routines
• Happiness, with attention to whether your cat still shows an interest in what used to give him/her much pleasure. 
• Behaviour - is your cat depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or afraid?
• Overall, are there more good days than bad days? When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be too compromised.

Using a simple checklist can help vets and owners ensure that they are providing proper care for unwell and terminally ill pets. Here are a couple that you may find useful:

"JOURNEYS"
An acronym developed by Dr Katie Hilst:
​
Jumping or Mobility 
Ouch or Pain 
Uncertainty and Understanding (factors that affect YOU)
Respiration or Breathing
Neatness or Hygiene
Eating and Drinking
You
Social Ability 
​
Download a copy of the JOURNEYS scoring system

​“HHHHHMM” (the five H’s and two M’s system)
An acronym developed Dr Alice Villalobos:

Hunger 
Hydration
Hygiene
Happiness
Mobility
More good days than bad days


​
Download a copy of the HHHHHMM scoring system

​Animals, particularly cats, do not show pain in the same way that humans do, so many animals suffer in silence because their owners do not appreciate that the subtle signs cats display could be due to pain. By using a factual list of criteria alongside a veterinary examination and consultation we can get as close as possible to understanding the needs of your cat and help them in the best way that we can. When we cannot help them anymore, we have the option of euthanasia, a final treatment or helping hand when nothing lies ahead but further pain or suffering.