North Memorial Animal Hospital is proud to announce our partnership with Hillcrest-Flynn Pet Funeral Home and Crematory, they will now be taking care of all our pet burial and cremation needs. They offer a comprehensive list of services including :
- Pre-need arrangements
- Private viewing rooms
- Pet-friendly memorial celebrations
- Private cremations
- Traditional burials
- Cemetery lots where you and your pets can be buried together
- Grief and support services that embrace the entire family
They offer unique, personal and compassionate pet after-life care. For more information please visit their website at www.hillcrestflynn.com or call 724-347-5100
A Guide to Planning Ahead:
Now what? You recently learned that your pet has a serious illness, It is normal to feel overwhelmed. Planning ahead will give you and your family the opportunity to discuss the option of pet death care. Knowing your options and planning ahead might relieve much of the stress you may be having. By calling or emailing Hillcrest Flynn they can discuss your options for pet burial, cremation, private viewings and anything else they might be able to assist you with in this difficult time.
Quality of Life Scale
Pet care givers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine the success of pet hospice care. Using a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (best) patients may be scored
Hurt_______
Adequate pain control, including breathing ability, is first and foremost on the scale, is the pet’s pain successfully managed? Is oxygen necessary?
Hunger_______
Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding Help? Does the patient require a feeding tube?
Hydration_______
Is the pet hydrated? Are subcutaneous fluids being used to supplement fluid intake?
Hygiene_______
The patient should be kept brushed and cleaned, particularly after elimination. Avoid pressure sores and keep all wounds clean.
Happiness_______
Does the pet express joy and interest? Is he responsive to things around him ( family, toys, etc)? Is the pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or afraid? Can the pet’s bed be close to the family activity and not be isolated?
Mobility_______
Can the pet get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or mechanical help (e.g. cart)? Does he feel like going for a walk? Is he having seizures or stumbling?
More good days than Bad _______
When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be too compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware that the end is near. The decision needs to be made if the animal is suffering. If death comes peacefully and painlessly, that is OK
*Adopted by Villalobos, A.E. Quality of Life Scale Make Final Call, Veterinary Practice News, September 2004