The short answer: when suffering consistently outweighs enjoyment despite appropriate treatment, it is time to speak with a veterinarian. A simple tool is to mark good days and bad days for two weeks.
Quality of life, not only length of life
Ask what life feels like now. Animals experience pain, nausea, anxiety and breathlessness. Our responsibility is to relieve suffering, even when that decision is painful for us.
Signs that carry particular weight
- No longer enjoying food, walks, play or affection
- More bad days than good days
- Pain that is not controlled despite treatment
- Difficulty breathing, standing or toileting
- Withdrawal, confusion or loss of interest in the surroundings
You do not have to decide alone
A quality-of-life video consultation or home assessment can review remaining treatment options and the difficult question itself. Sometimes the answer is ‘not yet’. Sometimes it is that we can prevent further suffering now.