Midlands vet visits:

Covid-19 Update

Due to Covid-19 we are mainly focused on continuing our 24hr service for urgent home visits for euthanasia click here for more information. To be able to continue this we unfortunately had to reduce some other service temporarily, please accept our apologies.

We are on the road for urgent end of life veterinary home visits 24/7

HHHHHMM Scale

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QUALITY OF LIFE SCALE

The HHHHHMM Scale

Pet caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine the success of Hospice care. Score patients using a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being ideal.

Please fill in all options below

QOL Score {{qolScore}}

A score of {{qolScore}} would indicate that your pet is happy and doing well. This is the score we would expect for a healthy, happy adult dog.

Score of {{qolScore}} indicates a pet that has a good to fair quality of life and is still able to enjoy the things that are important to them. Is there one area that is particularly low scoring? Ask us for advice on 0333 3208731

A score of {{qolScore}} could indicate that your pet is experiencing some challenges and would benefit from additional support. We would advise you to contact our team on 0333 3208731 to see what we can do to help your pet with their current quality of life.

A score of {{qolScore}} would be very concerning and it would be advised to contact us as soon as possible on 0333 3208731

Please bear in mind that these measurements are very subjective and cannot be used solely to assess a pet's quality of life. Here at Dignipets we always consider the physical, emotional and social well-being of your pet and you; the primary caregiver. If you would like to discuss quality of life further please contact us to book a quality of life assessment online visit with one of our vets by calling 0333 3208731 or emailing [email protected]

H: 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: HUNGER

Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the patient require a feeding tube?

H: HYDRATION

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

H: HYGIENE

The patient should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after elimination. Avoid pressure sores and keep all wounds clean.

H: 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: MOBILITY

Can the patient get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or mechanical help (e.g. a cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a walk? Is the pet having seizures or stumbling?

M: MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD

When bad moments outnumber good moments, 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 a passing can be made peaceful and painless to end this suffering euthanasia can be a better option than awaiting a crisis that forces you to make that decision at a stressful time.

Please fill in all options above

QOL Score {{qolScore}}

A score of {{qolScore}} would indicate that your pet is happy and doing well. This is the score we would expect for a healthy, happy adult dog.

Score of {{qolScore}} indicates a pet that has a good to fair quality of life and is still able to enjoy the things that are important to them. Is there one area that is particularly low scoring? Ask us for advice on 0333 3208731

A score of {{qolScore}} could indicate that your pet is experiencing some challenges and would benefit from additional support. We would advise you to contact our team on 0333 3208731 to see what we can do to help your pet with their current quality of life.

A score of {{qolScore}} would be very concerning and it would be advised to contact us as soon as possible on 0333 3208731

Please bear in mind that these measurements are very subjective and cannot be used solely to assess a pet's quality of life. Here at Dignipets we always consider the physical, emotional and social well-being of your pet and you; the primary caregiver. If you would like to discuss quality of life further please contact us to book a quality of life assessment online visit with one of our vets by calling 0333 3208731 or emailing [email protected]
Original concept, Oncology Outlook, by Dr. Alice Villalobos, Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN, 09/2004; scale format created for author’s book, Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human-Animal Bond, Blackwell Publishing, 2007. Revised for the International Veterinary Association of Pain Management (IVAPM) 2011 Palliative Care and Hospice Guidelines. Reprinted with permission from Dr. Alice Villalobos & Wiley-Blackwell.
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