Michigan City Animal Hospital’s Post

Our pets need us to be their advocates. They rely on us for everything from exercise and nutrition to medical care and of course emotional support. In return for their loyalty and love we encourage you to think unselfishly about the factors that affect and determine the quality of their life of senior or terminally ill pets. When assessing a pet's quality of life, there are many factors to consider. Today, we focus on Mobility and Rest and how you can review their health through a simple 1-3 scale. Mobility:   1. Energy levels are good and exercise or play is still a normal part of their day.  2. Your pet is starting to ‘slow up’ but is managing well with their prescribed medications. 3. Your pet’s mobility is dramatically reduced. This may mean they need assistance to stand and navigate the house or that they have little capacity for exercise. Rest: 1. Your pet is sleeping normally. 2. Your pet sleeps normally most nights but has started sleeping for longer periods than before. 3. Your pet is unable to settle, anxious and uncomfortable when lying down. They may whimper or cry at night and require medication for a restful sleep. In some cases, this process will give you reassurance that your pet is still enjoying life, whilst in others it may make you realise your pet is suffering more than you were aware. The Sunset Vets team are available if you’d like to discuss your findings further. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gfUmz7yv National Palliative Care Week is held between 19-25 May and aims to foster open and curious conversations around end-of-life care. This post was part two of a four-part series. #MattersofLifeandDeath #NationalPalliativeCareWeek2024

📞 Emergency Contacts Are Essential! 🐾 Make sure to keep important numbers, like your vet’s and an after-hours emergency clinic, easily accessible. Being prepared can make all the difference in an emergency! #PetSafety #EmergencyPreparedness #PetCare #VetTips #PetParents

Lifelong Care: Managing Chronic Conditions in Cats: https://lnkd.in/gitpix2W #ChronicConditions #ManagingCatHealth #FelineChronicIllness #CatCareTips #PetHealthAwareness

🏡 Home Safety Tips for Hospice Care Creating a safe home environment is crucial when providing hospice care for your loved ones. Here are some tips to help: • Lighting Matters 💡: Make sure hallways, bedrooms, and bathrooms are well-lit to prevent falls. • Install Safety Rails 🛠: Adding handrails in critical areas like the bathroom and stairs helps prevent accidents. • Declutter & Organize 🧹: Keep living spaces clear to make it easy for patients and caregivers to move around. A safe home contributes to a more comfortable and peaceful experience for hospice patients. Learn more about creating a safe home environment by visiting www.amedicushospice.org or contacting us at (469) 389-1028. #HospiceCare #HomeSafety #AmedicusHospice #ComfortAndCare

For our clients cared for by Nurse Next Door caregivers, we've created a dedicated post-storm checklist to ensure safety, comfort, and peace of mind after the storm passes. Here’s how we support you: 🔹 Health Check: We assess any immediate health concerns or medication needs. 🔹 Home Safety: We inspect for damage and clear hazards to ensure your home is safe. 🔹 Power & Equipment: We confirm medical devices are functioning and power is restored. 🔹 Food & Water: We verify food and water safety and replenish supplies if needed. 🔹 Emotional Support: We provide comforting reassurance and a calming presence. 🔹 Updated Care Plans: We revise care plans for improved preparedness. Our caregivers are here to make sure you’re safe, cared for, and supported every step of the way! 🌈💪 #NurseNextDoor #PostStormCare #CaregiverChecklist #HomeCare #SafetyFirst #WeCare #pinellascounty #PascoCounty #hurricaneseason

Helpful Resource Alert: Check out these guidelines outline in detail the unique attributes and challenges that come with providing optimal end-of-life care. Check out all the helpful resources for pet hospice & end-of-life care we've collated: https://lnkd.in/g563qc2S

It's #LoveYourPetDay! Reston Hospital's Director of Physician and Provider Relations, Brittany Spaulding, is celebrating with her sweet pup, Coco Puff! If you have a pet, you know your furry friend can help lift your spirits after a 'ruff' day. But did you know pets can boost your overall health, too? In honor of #LoveYourPetDay, here are five potential health benefits of owning a pet: https://bit.ly/49GhCbp #ImproveMoreLives

This very sentence is what it's all about: doing our absolute best to help your pet get back to feeling themselves again. And when that just isn't possible, we are here to support you every step of the way. If you have a question about the specialist care we provide, please feel free to send us a message. #independentvets #theralph #theralphway #compassionledcare

Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care 🐾✨ Question: What is palliative care for senior pets❓ Answer: Palliative care focuses on making pets as comfortable as possible and improving their quality of life as they near the end of their lives. Rather than diagnostic tests and treatments, palliative care focuses on managing pain, nausea, incontinence, inappetence, and other disease signs, thereby extending a good quality of life as long as possible. The key focus of palliative care is to manage pain, maintain mobility and adapt your home environment to include your senior pet in their favourite family activities. Question: What is hospice for senior pets❓ Answer: While the terms hospice and palliative care are often used interchangeably, pet hospice focuses more on managing the dying process, although aspects of palliative care are used to keep the pet comfortable. Hospice takes over when palliative care is no longer effective at maintaining a good quality of life. And, hospice provides comfort not only to the pet, but also to the pet's family, since the entire family undergoes mental, emotional and sometimes physical distress. The goal of hospice is to provide pets with a dignified death that’s as peaceful, humane and pain-free as possible, whether natural or through euthanasia, while supporting the caretaking family. (Courtesy: Lap of Love) 💙 #arkangelvet #drpatrick #peteuthanasia #athomeeuthanasia #peteuthanasiaperth #peacefulpassing #petloss #griefsupport #petsofperth #hospicecare #palliativecare

Financial Stability. Most clinic owners I know would say this is the one thing that keeps them up at night. They go to school for many years to provide top-notch care. But let's face it—running a clinic isn't just about helping animals; it's also about managing the bottom line. The challenge of balancing the costs of running a clinic with the need to provide affordable care is daunting. From staffing and equipment to overhead expenses, it's a delicate dance that requires careful attention to detail. There's a lot to worry about: revenue generation, cash flow management, and controlling expenses—all while striving to maintain the highest standards of patient care. In addition to the day-to-day worries, long-term concerns like economic downturns, competition from other clinics, and unexpected expenses weigh heavily as well. Why am I bringing this up? Because I want you to know that you're not alone. #CVC is with you on the journey. Our goal is to lighten your load and remove the worry. Together, we will work to ensure the financial health of your clinic while you continue to provide exceptional care for your beloved patients. Rest easy tonight! #VeterinaryClinicOwner #FinancialStability #TogetherWeCan