When it is time to say goodbye to a beloved friend, our caring team at Homeward Bound Veterinary Services know that it can be a difficult time for you and your family. Many of us have been there before, and we know how hard this will be. We aim to make the transition as smooth as possible for you and your family, from our specialized end of life care to in-home euthanasia.

Going through the loss of a pet is a hard enough time without having to put them in even more pain by transporting them to a veterinary office. To make your hardship a little easier, Homeward Bound Veterinary Services will come to your home to euthanize your pet in a humane and pain-free way.

Our caring team wants you to be as comfortable as possible, and when you are relaxed it helps your pet to be relaxed. When a pet is calm, surrounded by loving family members and in their home, the process will go much smoother for all involved.

We will work with your schedule and your pet’s needs to find a time that works best to not only provide end of life care and support for your pet, but also provide a helping hand, pain relief and a supportive and loving atmosphere. Our services and skilled team help make your life and the final moments of your beloved best friend’s life as smooth as possible.

If you think that your pet’s time is near, or have a struggling pet, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (520) 668-1238 for end of life care or to discuss your options.

A Simple Test to Know When it’s Time to Euthanize Your Pet
There is no certainty in the decision of when to euthanize. It is among the most difficult decisions that you will ever make. Pets are family – we take care of them and protect them. When your pet is sick, you want to make him/her better and, of course, you don’t want your pet to die. But, near the end, you are watching your pet deteriorate and the quality of life is not the same. So, the question you are asking yourself is, “When is the right time?”

There is help in deciding. The “Quality of Life Scale” developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos can often shed some light on whether it’s time to euthanize your pet.

For each of the following questions, rate your honest answer from 0 to 10 with 10 being the high score and 0 being the low score. It may help to take the test on more than one day if you have time.

• Pain: Is your pet in pain (whining, whimpering, yelping more than normal) or is he/she having trouble breathing?
• Hunger: Has your pet stopped eating or is only eating from your hand?
• Hydration: Is your pet dehydrated. Are you hydrating him/her subcutaneously?
• Hygiene: Is your pet incontinent? Does he/she have pressure sores?
• Happiness: Does your pet seem joyful and responsive? Is she/he depressed, anxious, lonely or scared?
• Mobility: Does your pet need assistance in getting up? Is she/he stumbling or having seizures?
• More Good Days than Bad: If the bad days outnumber the good days, your pet does not have quality of life.

Add up your scores. If the total is above 35, then your pet’s quality of life may be acceptable. Below that score, you should consider euthanasia. You may reach Homeward Bound Veterinary Services at 520-668-1238 by phone or text to make sure you are making the right decision.