Quality of Life Consultation

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Whether your beloved pet has a chronic condition, a life limiting disease or problems associated with natural aging, you may not be sure if your pet’s life journey is at the end or what decision to make. We understand your concerns and Kindred Spirits Pet Services offers end of life counseling to help with this challenging situation. 

Dr. Barrett can perform a 1-hour quality of life consultation for your pet to help you make the best choice for you and your companion. We can contact your veterinarian to request medical records to learn as much as we can about your pet before the assessment. Dr. Barrett will meet with you and your pet in the comfortable environment of your home rather than the busy and stressful setting of a veterinary clinic. The consultation can also be completed in the Kindred Spirits comfort room if needed. We want to understand the health issues your pet is facing and what their usual day is like to best determine both their and your physical, emotional and social needs. 

The 1-hour consultation includes a physical assessment, pain evaluation, and questionnaire regarding your pet’s quality of life. Dr. Barrett will provide you with options and guidance, which may include:

• additional testing and treatment with your primary veterinarian or specialist
• natural death at home
• pain medications if needed for comfort care.  Up to 3 months pain management comfort care can be provided, after that time a follow-up quality of life appointment is required.
• gentle humane euthanasia, when is the right time, the process and how to prepare.   Humane euthanasia can also be administered after the quality of life consultation visit for an additional fee.  If you are considering euthanasia at the quality of life consultation, please arrange with Kindred Spirits for additional time to be scheduled.

* Phone or Virtual Consultation Option - Dr. Barrett will speak directly with you for a 30-45 min tele-advice session.  She will provide guidance as stated above with the following exceptions:

• there is no physical assessment
• Dr. Barrett cannot diagnose, treat, or prevent disease, illness, or pain via phone or virtually
• medications cannot be prescribed without a physical assessment

**If you feel your pet could benefit from pain medication, Dr. Barrett would need to conduct an in-person Quality of Life consultation.  

As you consider the phrase “quality of life”, remember this pertains to the quality of your pet’s life as well as your own. It is important to also think of your own needs during this time. Here are some questions to ask yourself that can help you keep track of your quality of life.

• How much of my time will go toward taking care of my pet? 
• How much time do I have to spare?
• What cost will I incur to take care of my pet?
• What other financial responsibilities do I have?
• What other responsibilities do I have in my life (job, parenting)?
• Who else do I need to consider (my partner, children, parents, other pets)?
• Who can help me?
• What other stresses and obligations do I have in my life right now?

Assessing your own life does not diminish the love or care you are giving to your pet, but rather emphasizes which priorities need to be tended to and in which order. While it can be hard to make difficult decisions based on financial or other limitations, it is important to take care of yourself and also remember that you have done and are still doing the best that you can for your pet.