Practice Management
The “golden years”: Encouraging veterinary visits for senior pets
In the year leading up to their euthanasia, nearly half of all pet dogs and more than half of pet cats did not see a veterinarian, according to research.
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In an internal study commissioned by Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia in collaboration with Vetsource, data from 800,000 euthanasia appointments was evaluated to determine how recently pets had been seen by a veterinarian before presenting for euthanasia. According to Dani McVety, DVM, Founder of Lap of Love, the study showed that in the 12 months prior to euthanasia, 44% of dog owners had not taken their dog in for veterinary care and 59% of cat owners had not taken their cat in for care.
While the study did not reveal pet owners’ reasons for avoiding care, McVety worries that some clients may be afraid that their veterinary team will recommend aggressive diagnostics and/or treatment that they would rather not pursue. But whatever the reason for this lack of contact with the veterinary practice, pets may be missing out on care that could improve their quality of life, and clients may be missing out on helpful guidance and support from their veterinary team.
To help pet owners feel more comfortable reaching out to their veterinary team even when they don’t want to pursue aggressive diagnostics or treatment, McVety said it is important for veterinary teams to consider their messaging.
“There are a lot of things we can do that are strictly for quality of life and not for treatment of disease,” she said. She emphasized that pet owners may need to hear that they won’t be judged or pressured for wanting to be more conservative.
“Clients really need permission to not do all the extra stuff. They feel guilted into it,” she said.
A comprehensive guide to family-centered care: AAHA’s Community Care Guidelines
The 2024 AAHA Community Care Guidelines for Small Animal Practice provide resources for veterinary teams who want to meet families where they are and improve access to care for all pets, including senior pets. The guidelines introduce family-centered care, which is a framework for offering a spectrum of care options for pets and their families that take into account the pet’s needs, the family’s circumstances and values, cost of care, and other variables.
Strategies for success
McVety suggested that since many practices offer a puppy package that focuses on monitoring growth and starting vaccines, they could also consider offering a hospice package that focuses on quality of life for senior pets.
As a part of this, practices could choose to have clients sign a waiver in which both parties agree to focus on the comfort and quality of life of their pet without performing additional diagnostics or aggressive treatment, and that clients acknowledge the limitations associated with this course of action.
Another important strategy is to pick the right individuals in the practice to have discussions with clients about hospice care. McVety said it takes someone with a “particular personality” to help clients feel at ease with discussions about hospice care. In addition to compassion and empathy, she said it’s important for veterinary professionals to have an understanding that medicine is finite.
“A good hospice vet understands that we may be able to take their pet into the hospital and get them weeks or months—but that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for the pet or the family,” she explained.
Trusted resources for hospice and end-of-life care: AAHA’s End of Life Care Guidelines and Certificate
The 2016 AAHA/IAAHPC End-of-Life Care Guidelines are a valuable resource for veterinary teams who want to offer hospice and end-of-life care that focuses on the comfort, dignity, and wellbeing of pets and their families. Topics include communication guidance, tools strategies to manage pain and other clinical signs, and ways to best support families as they say goodbye to their beloved pets. Your team members can also complete AAHA Hospice and Palliative Care Champion certificate course and earn a badge that demonstrates their commitment to compassionate end-of-life care.
The wording used in the discussions is just as important as the outlook of the team member having the conversation.
“People want their vet to say, ‘This is a good decision… it’s not the only decision, but it’s a good decision,’” McVety said. “Just be straightforward and say ‘it’s ok if you don’t want to do everything.’”
When it comes to veterinary care for senior pets, another important part of communication is the timing, McVety said. She suggested reaching out to clients before their pets are in need of hospice care and setting expectations, using wording such as “Your dog is entering into the golden years,” and then explaining what that means. As part of that explanation, McVety recommends introducing the idea of hospice as something to discuss toward the end of their pet’s golden years.
“The sooner that you introduce that word into your client’s mind,” she said, “the sooner they’re going to know that it’s available and ask for it.”
Helping you elevate your care of your senior patients: AAHA’s Senior Care Guidelines
The 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats can help your team prepare to welcome senior pets into your practice with resources to create a senior-friendly hospital and communicate your offerings to clients. From information about behavioral and nutritional modifications to advice on scheduling and client education, and ways to improve access to care, the guidelines offer helpful tools to empower veterinary practices and help senior pets and their families get the care and guidance they need.
Photo credit: shironosov/iStock via Getty Images
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