When a pet is injured, gets sick, gets old, or has arthritis the question of home care comes up. How much care would you be willing to provide to an ailing pet? From my personal experience with treating cancer patients for over 20 years I can say that the answer to the question is very personal. Each pet owner has their own personal considerations. Some folks can't handle the thought of giving daily injections of fluids under the skin to a pet with failing kidneys. The idea of using a feeding tube to help a pet keep from losing weight during recovery or after a surgery or during radiation treatments may sound like heroics to one person and make sense to another. Caring for a pet that can't walk or eliminate is a task certain pet owners have chosen to tackle with the help of pet wheel chairs. Some people react with fear of medical procedures and needles. Others have great interest in learning to administer to their pets for convenience and savings. The most important ingredient to look for in yourself is willingness. The most important ingredient to look for in your pet is quality of life. Is the pet having some fun? Are you O.K.? If these two ingredients are present, then the pet hospice is a good thing. Ask your vet!
