Right around the time our Old Man, Ginko, died in January 2016, I was working on an article for a veterinary trade magazine about the growing field of pet hospice. Not the easiest thing to be talking to people and writing about dying dogs when your own dog is dying. Among the many things I learned about palliative and hospice care for pets, I found out about “emergency kits” many hospice veterinarians provide. Such a kit may have prevented the deep regrets I have about Lilly’s last day. Here’s how.
Based on a pet’s particular terminal diagnosis, disease progression, age, and other factors, hospice veterinarians really know that various things that can and do go wrong. They can equip you with medications in advance. If things take a sharp turn for the worse, you know what to do.
Something like this, I believe, would have prevented us from ending up in a crisis that required a mad dash to the veterinary ER with Lilly in December 2013.
I think it’s a much better solution than having to call your main veterinarian or even your specialists and asking, “Now what?!”
The following excerpt is from the Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Guidelines, published by the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care.
Not that Lilly would not have died that same day. I’m not saying that. It was the end, for sure. Imagine, however, me having the ability to keep her COMFORTABLE and to mitigate her worsening symptoms on several fronts so that we could have said our goodbyes at home in a more peaceful and less panicked state.
I don’t talk about the details of what happened that day — to anyone. In my book, Heart Dog: Surviving the Loss of Your Canine Soul Mate, I simply say …
What others call bargaining arrived in my grief-stricken life as regret. Three days before Lilly’s death, I postponed her euthanasia in consultation with our large team of veterinarians. I believe that was the right decision. Lilly rallied — as she had so many times before — and enjoyed two remarkably good days. Then, on the third day, we found ourselves in an emergency situation that I’d wanted to avoid. There were no last-ditch fixes for the cascade of things going wrong.
I do not regret having Lilly euthanized on Tuesday, December 17, 2013. Instead, I regret that her final day ended up being more desperate than I’d hoped. I didn’t want Lilly to be in pain or in fear. It makes me sick to think that she likely experienced both. I had plans for her final moments — plans forgotten in the urgency of the situation.
The final stage of Lilly’s illness came quickly and decisively — leaving us no doubt it was time to let her go. In those early days, I found that swift conclusion both haunting and a blessing. Even now, only the haunted feeling remains. I fear it’s a life-long affliction that cannot be fixed, shared, or discussed with anyone — only tolerated.
If you are facing a difficult diagnosis with your dog, it might be worth seeking a relationship with a hospice veterinarian so that you have the information, medications, resources, and access you need to make The End as good as possible.
For comparison’s sake, I will share that we had the time to plan and ensure that Ginko died at home. Several days in advance, we made arrangements with our primary care veterinarian to keep him comfortable. Because of his advanced age (nearly 16) and health status, we were fairly confident that he would NOT end up in a crisis.
So, we took the time to spoil him with treats of bacon and eggs, steak, whipped cream, and more hugs and kisses than you can imagine. We took a few final photos.
And on the chosen day, our veterinarian and one of the clinic’s other team members came to the house to help us.
We drove Ginko’s body down to the crematory ourselves. Not easy, but it was much easier and more peaceful than the drive we made with Lilly to the emergency hospital on her last day.
One LAST Laugh — As you may remember, he was completely incontinent toward the end, but he did not wet himself (as many dogs do) as he crossed over. No pee came out when we carried his body to the car. I made the mistake, though, of taking off his belly band before Tom carried his body into the crematory … you guessed it!!! Pee everywhere. We just had to laugh. That old stinker got us one last time.
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Roxanne- you have been such a blessing! The best feeling in the world is feeling understood and i find your raw honesty so therapeutic! I lost my soul mate last Friday! It’s so hard because yes he was 12 but he was so healthy and vibrant! I took him for a walk friday. Then went to feed both my dogs and found Vito collapsed with vomit coming from his mouth. I rushed him to the vet (and my older dog remained in the backyard the whole time). But My stinky bad boy was critical and we lost him). I am so broken beyond belief. There was no signs symptoms nothing! Just pure shock! And I thank you for so much with the advice on what to do!-you’ve touch so many lives by letting us know we aren’t alone!
Oh, Lisa. I’m so very sorry about your loss. No matter their age … It’s never easy to have it happen so suddenly and unexpectedly.
Hospice is such a good idea, for us and for pets. I wish it would have been around when Hershey, our dachshund, needed it. I think most of us can look back with some kind of regret, Rox, for any pet. We all do the best we can with the knowledge and circumstances we have.
I really love the idea of hospice veterinarians and planning ahead for those final days and hours. And with a plan in place, it gives you a guideline if things turn panicky at the end. Thanks for sharing your story, Rox. I know it will help others.
I didn’t know hospice was available for pets. I could not have cared for my elderly mom without hospice help. It does make such a difference.
What a lovely, caring post. And it’s filled with good ideas.
I love the idea of a hospice emergency kit. Hopefully, as more and more vets are on board with the concept of hospice care, this will become more common.
What a great idea – oftentimes we are in such a state of panic and distress during rough times. It’s good to know there’s a way to prepare in advance.
First off, Roxanne…. I did not know Ginko passed away. I’m so very sorry.
Second, I would love a kit like that. I am going to talk to my Vet about it. Thank you for your updates and insights…
Oh, thanks so much, Debra. He was very old and had started to decline in several areas. It wasn’t any 1 thing. Just generally doing poorly — losing weight, etc. We had about a week to make our peace with it. We miss him terribly. It really is the end of an era not to have him at my side anymore.