A Better Way

Comfort. Ease. Collaboration.

Palliative Care

When a pet is extremely ill or a terminal diagnosis has been obtained, pets and pet families require additional care and support. Dr. Henderson is certified in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care and we are here to provide that in-house care and support for you and your pet.

When to Call for a Palliative Appointment

Many People think of palliative and hospice care as separate from invasive medical care. Sometimes this is the case but it doesn’t have to be.

We recommend that you contact us for a palliative consult at any time that you are concerned about your pet’s quality of life.

Here are some examples of the most common calls we get for palliative consults:

At the onset of a terminal diagnosis even if symptoms are not yet present
Anytime after the diagnosis of a terminal illness, even if other treatments are ongoing
When current medical therapy is no longer working in the case of a terminal illness but you are unsure if it is time for euthanasia
In Geriatric pets that aren’t living the life they once were
Concern for what the end will look like for a pet
With questions regarding end of life, including euthanasia and natural death
To assist with decisions surrounding end of life.

Each palliative appointment takes a different turn. We will focus on the area that is the biggest concern for you.

It could be any of the following, a combination or a new concern you bring to us:

Medical Management of Disease
Pain Management
Nutrition and Hydration
Nursing Care for an Ill Patient
Physical Rehabilitation
Comfort and Safety
Quality of Life Improvements
Enrichment and Exercise
Emergency Plans for Possible Crisis Situations
End of Life Decision Making
Memorial Planning

What to Expect at Your Palliative Care Appointment

Once you have determined that it is time to make an appointment to discuss palliative care for your pet please contact us and we will set up a convenient time. We recommend that you set aside about 2 hours for this appointment.

ARRIVAL

Dr. Henderson and an assistant will come to your home where you and your pet are most comfortable. We will greet and your pet but we generally wait until we have had a conversation and everyone is settled before we perform a physical examination of your pet. We will also perform an environmental assessment to assist us in creating the best possible plan.

DISCUSSION

Each appointment is unique in its progression and will depend on your expectations but initially we will sit down to discuss your pets condition as well as your concerns, fears and expectations. You know your pet best and are their greatest advocate and so we require as much input from you as you can provide.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

Once we understand what is most important Dr. Henderson will perform a physical examination. She will check your pet from head to tail to look for any physical abnormalities.

CREATING THE PLAN

We will use all of the information we have collected from you, your pet’s medical records, the environmental and the physical examination to come up with a plan that works the best for your pet and your family. Our plans are individualized for each patient and family but can include any or all of the following depending on what is required

Medical Plan – Medications and Supplements
Pain Management
Nutrition and Hydration plan
Nursing Plan
Comfort and Safety Plans
Quality of Life Improvements
Enrichment Plan
Exercise Plan
Emergency Plans
Comfort Care Plans
End of Life Decision Making
End-Of- Life and Aftercare plans
Memorial Planning

FOLLOW-UPS

We will create the plan together and continue to check in to modify as needed. Follow-ups are booked based on your pets needs as well as yours.

SUPPORT

We can also offer referrals for support workers including anticipatory grief support, respite workers, dog workers, social workers and counsellors.

WORKING WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN

Following the appointment we will send a comprehensive report to your primary care veterinarian and ensure that they are aware of everything that is planned. If necessary we will consult directly with them to ensure the very best interest of your pet.

Palliative Intake Form

Dr. Henderson has advanced physical rehabilitation training and is excited to offer this service and in-house care at home. This is especially helpful for pets who can not easily travel to a rehabilitation centre.

Senior Pets

We have a special place in our hearts for our senior pets and truly want them to live their very best lives. As our pets age, their needs and issues change as well. Their nutrient and calorie requirements change and they are more likely to become ill. We recommend that senior pets be examined at least twice per year. During this screening and in-house care we will address the individual patient’s needs through a thorough history, addressing, nutrition, exercise, enrichment, behaviour, sleeping patterns and disease concerns.

We also recommend senior screening, including blood, urine and ultrasound screening. Once we have compiled all of the information we will sit with you and create a plan to help you maintain your senior’s best quality of life. Read More

At Home End of Life

Each of us know what it is like to lose a pet. We have been there and we know that it is one of the toughest decisions that you will ever have to make. We want you to feel that you have some control and support as we assist you in the decision making process. We will guide you through your pets disease process, prognosis and quality of life, always taking you and your concerns into the equation.

We can assist you in making the difficult decisions and if you so chose we offer euthanasia at home, in a peaceful setting. We take our time to ensure that you and your pet are as comfortable as possible during such a very difficult time.

We offer laser therapy as part of our in-house care rehabilitation program as well as for inflammatory diseases such as ear and skin lesions that respond well to laser therapy.

Telemedicine

We understand that we are living in unprecedented times and that getting to a vet may not always be possible or safe. To assist you in continuing to provide veterinary care for your pet we are offering telehealth consultations. If you are unable to get your pet to the vet or receive in-house care, but have a medical concern you can consult with Dr. Henderson through video conference where appropriate. Dr. Henderson can help you make a decision regarding further care or can assist in making difficult decisions. In either case we are here to help.

If you would like to book a telehealth appointment, you can contact our office by phone/text or email or book using the button below.

Request Telehealth Appointment

We know how frightening it can be when your pets are ill and injured, after all they can’t tell us what’s wrong. We have all been there ourselves. We are here with our in-house care to support you as we discover the problem, address it and work to create plans for you to care for your ill or injured pet. Read More

Nutritional Consults

Nutrition is the cornerstone to health. Pets require specific nutrients and calories to obtain optimal health. We can discuss your pets unique needs and recommend a food that will best compliment their health and lifestyle with our in-house care service. Read More

Weight Management Plans

Obesity is a real concern in our pets. It can affect overall health and has been shown to reduce overall life expectancy by about 2 years. We can help you with our in-house care to determine the appropriate weight and body condition for your pet. We offer a well rounded service, which includes, nutrition, exercise and enrichment. We can even weigh and package your pets meals for you to ensure that they are obtaining the correct daily calories. Read More

Puppy and Kitten

Our paediatric examinations include a thorough history to learn as much about you and your new pet as possible, a head to tail examination to assess their overall health as well as a consultation to discuss your concerns. We will discuss health, nutrition, safety, training and grooming along with any other concerns you may have. We do recommend that you have a stool sample ready for us to test at your first in-house care visit but otherwise relax as we come to you to take the stress out of taking your young pet to an unfamiliar place. Read More

Healthy Adult

Early detection of disease is important for optimal health so we recommend that your pet have an examination and consultation annually in order to assess their health. This is the perfect opportunity to bring up any concerns you may have as we perform a head to tail examination during your in-house care visit. We will discuss your pet’s overall health and provide you with healthy pet and nutrition plans. Read More

Vaccinations

We recommend the vaccines that best suit your pet’s lifestyle. Vaccines are important to protect our pets against dangerous diseases. Some of these diseases, such as Rabies are fatal and also transmittable to humans so vaccination of your pet can protect you and your family as well.

Some pets are at higher risk for some diseases and not for others. In order to determine the best vaccination protocol for your pet we will examine their lifestyle risks duing your in-house care visit and come up with the best plan for vaccinations.

Dog Vaccines We Offer

Rabies Vaccine DAPP or Core Vaccine( Distemper Vaccine, Parvovirus Vaccine, Adenovirus Vaccine, Parainfluenza Vaccine) Leptospirosis Vaccine, Lyme Vaccine, Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel Cough)

Cat Vaccines We Offer

Rabies Vaccine FvRCP or Core Vaccine (Feline Viral Rhinotracheaitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) Feline Leukemia Vaccine Read More

Wellness Testing

In order to detect disease early and maintain the optimal heath of your pet we recommend annual blood and parasite testing. We are able to collect samples during an in-house care visit and report results back to you within 1-2 days. Read More

Parasite Prevention

Parasites can spread disease and a nuisance. We want to prevent them from affecting your pet so during your in-house care visit, we will tailor an individual parasite prevention plan based on your pet’s current lifestyle. Common parasites that we prevent include, fleas, ticks, heart worms, and intestinal parasites. Read More