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Quality of Life Scale

+8
Pugsavers
PugLady3
Erin
Rebecca and the Pugs
Almandine
Aussie Witch
Mel
northernwitch
12 posters

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Quality of Life Scale Empty Quality of Life Scale

Post  northernwitch 7/23/2010, 9:15 pm

I found this quite awhile ago and forgot I had it. Given our discussion about End of Life care of our dogs, I thought it might be worth posting.

Quality
of Life Scale







The
Quality of Life Scale was written by Dr. Alice Villalobos, who graciously
gave permission for its use on our website. We hope this may help in
the difficult decision of euthanasia for your gentle friend.




Quality of Life Scale

The HHHHHMM Scale

(Hurt, Hydration, Hunger, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, More good days than bad.)

Pet caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale
to determine the success of pawspice care.


Score patients using a scale of 1-10



Score



Criterion



H
0-10 Hurt
- Adequate pain control,
including breathing ability, is first and foremost on the scale. Is the
pet's pain successfully managed? Is oxygen necessary?


H
0-10 Hunger
- Is the pet eating
enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the patient require a feeding
tube?


H
0-10
Hydration- Is the patient
dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough, use subcutaneous fluids
once or twice daily to supplement fluid intake.


H
0-10
Hygiene- The patient should b
brushed and cleaned, particularly after elimination. Avoid pressure
sores and keep wounds clean.


H
0-10 Happiness
- Does the pet express
joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to things around him or her
(family, toys, etc.)? Is the pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or
afraid? Can the pet's bed be close to the family activities and not be
isolated?


M
0-10 Mobility
- Can the patient get up
without assistance? Does the pet need human or mechanical help (eg; a
cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a walk? Is the pet having
seizures or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable to
amputation, yet an animal who has limited mobility but is still alert and
responsive can have a good quality of life as long as caregivers are
committed to helping the pet).


M
0-10 More good days
than bad
-
When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be
compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible,
the caregiver must be made aware the end is near. The decision needs to
be made if the pet is suffering. If death comes peacefully and
painlessly, that is okay.




Total=
A total > 35 points is acceptable for a good pawspice.





The criteria should be assessed weekly, daily, or hourly as needed because
the patient may be deteriorating rapidly.






northernwitch
northernwitch
 
 

Number of posts : 11031
Location : Toronto, Ontario

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Post  Mel 7/23/2010, 10:12 pm

I hope I don't have to use that anytime soon, but it's good to have around. thanks Blanche.
Mel
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Number of posts : 3270
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Post  Aussie Witch 7/23/2010, 10:39 pm

It's good to be able to have a guide to the worst question we pet owners EVER have to ponder.....


Maybe Amanda should make this a sticky.
Aussie Witch
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Post  Almandine 8/31/2010, 8:07 am

Thanks for posting that.

Always useful to have something clear and concise when you're bumbling around in what ifs and double takes
Almandine
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Post  Rebecca and the Pugs 6/15/2011, 8:50 am

I forgot this scale was here. I think I am going to have to print this out, as Peachy's mobility has rapidly decreased since her seizures. When she came into hospice, I knew I wouldn't have much time and I was prepared. After almost 2 1/2 years, I am no longer prepared. She has fought through so many issues, I had almost convinced myself she was able to get through anything. This just sucks.
Rebecca and the Pugs
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Number of posts : 2936
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Post  Erin 6/15/2011, 9:37 am

My heart sank when I saw you posted here Rebecca, love to you xx
Erin
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Post  PugLady3 6/15/2011, 9:50 am

Rebecca and the Pugs wrote:I forgot this scale was here. I think I am going to have to print this out, as Peachy's mobility has rapidly decreased since her seizures. When she came into hospice, I knew I wouldn't have much time and I was prepared. After almost 2 1/2 years, I am no longer prepared. She has fought through so many issues, I had almost convinced myself she was able to get through anything. This just sucks.


I'm so sorry, Rebecca. I wish that I had some sort of answer/solution for Peachy. I can only sympathize. Quality of Life Scale 27965
PugLady3
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Post  northernwitch 6/15/2011, 9:59 am

Rebecca and the Pugs wrote:I forgot this scale was here. I think I am going to have to print this out, as Peachy's mobility has rapidly decreased since her seizures. When she came into hospice, I knew I wouldn't have much time and I was prepared. After almost 2 1/2 years, I am no longer prepared. She has fought through so many issues, I had almost convinced myself she was able to get through anything. This just sucks.
I hear that, Rebecca. And I'm very sorry you're having to think about this.
northernwitch
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Number of posts : 11031
Location : Toronto, Ontario

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Post  Pugsavers 6/15/2011, 12:18 pm

Personally, I think mobility should be rated less of an issue for small dogs than for big dogs and for some breeds and not others. I know when you cannot pick up a large dog to help them out it must be heartbreaking. But for pugs, they do just fine not being able to ambulate on their own. Tiny Tim had 12 wonderful years never being able to really "walk" on his own.
Pugsavers
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Post  monkeypigs4eva 6/15/2011, 1:58 pm

Rebecca and the Pugs wrote:I forgot this scale was here. I think I am going to have to print this out, as Peachy's mobility has rapidly decreased since her seizures. When she came into hospice, I knew I wouldn't have much time and I was prepared. After almost 2 1/2 years, I am no longer prepared. She has fought through so many issues, I had almost convinced myself she was able to get through anything. This just sucks.

More love and support to you and Peachy. Thank you for bumping this up to the top. I am also printing it out.
monkeypigs4eva
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Post  pugmom 6/15/2011, 9:57 pm

I think this will be very helpful when time to start making those heartbreaking decisions.

My old guy, Ty, has his many problems but truly has a good quality of life and makes the most of it. Every night I give him a special hug after I put in his eye meds. I tell him he is lucky that we adopted each other. He came as a foster but I knew he would never leave. All I had to do was convince the DH and giving up fostering turned out to be the condition in order to keep Ty. I have had Ty 2 1/2 years. He is somewhere between 13- 15 years old.
pugmom
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Post  Rebecca and the Pugs 6/15/2011, 11:29 pm

Pugsavers wrote:Personally, I think mobility should be rated less of an issue for small dogs than for big dogs and for some breeds and not others. I know when you cannot pick up a large dog to help them out it must be heartbreaking. But for pugs, they do just fine not being able to ambulate on their own. Tiny Tim had 12 wonderful years never being able to really "walk" on his own.
I do understand about Tiny Tim, but Peachy gets so freaked out to be carried. It really causes great stress for her, which does not help the situation. I have the substitute janitor putting together her stroller for me, which should help some. If the mobility issue is a result of pain, I don't think it should be rated any differently, big dog or little dog. I have had big dogs with mobility issues and always used a beach towel as a sling to help them. It is just devastating when it comes on fairly quickly, or as a result from another medical issue.
Rebecca and the Pugs
Rebecca and the Pugs
 
 

Number of posts : 2936
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Post  Eph91 6/17/2011, 10:32 am

I wonder if this can become a sticky? I know it has helped several of my friends at such painful times. Thanks for posting it here, Blanche.
Eph91
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Post  northernwitch 6/20/2011, 12:18 pm

Rebecca and the Pugs wrote:
Pugsavers wrote:Personally, I think mobility should be rated less of an issue for small dogs than for big dogs and for some breeds and not others. I know when you cannot pick up a large dog to help them out it must be heartbreaking. But for pugs, they do just fine not being able to ambulate on their own. Tiny Tim had 12 wonderful years never being able to really "walk" on his own.
I do understand about Tiny Tim, but Peachy gets so freaked out to be carried. It really causes great stress for her, which does not help the situation. I have the substitute janitor putting together her stroller for me, which should help some. If the mobility issue is a result of pain, I don't think it should be rated any differently, big dog or little dog. I have had big dogs with mobility issues and always used a beach towel as a sling to help them. It is just devastating when it comes on fairly quickly, or as a result from another medical issue.
I do think it varies tremendously from dog to dog. Tank would be utterly content to be carried around. Hazel less so and for Lola, loss of mobility was a disaster.
While I would never decide to let a dog go solely on a mobility issue (depending on the issue), it's a factor in the happiness and well being of the animal that I take seriously.
northernwitch
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Post  We're Here 6/23/2011, 6:50 pm


My son asked me the other day about giving Princess back to God. But she manages to get to her food bowl and suck down the contents, and yes her hind end is about given up but there are no open lesions. She reminds me about bed time and barks her high pitched reedy bark to get my attention. At the moment, she is flaked out between my feet. To put her down with her current life would seem akin to murder.

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