None — Pet Owners in the U.S.
The American Pet Products Association estimate 62 percent of American households own some type of pet. More than 45 percent of homes have a dog and more than 38 percent own a cat. Other popular pets include fish, birds, reptiles, small animals (like hamsters, gerbils and rabbits) and horses.
The bond between humans and animals was established thousands of years ago. Today, many pet owners pamper their pets. Americans are expected to spend $47.7 billion dollars this year on pet food, supplies, veterinary care, grooming and boarding. Dog owners have an especially strong bond with their pets. Researchers report 93 percent of dog owners would risk their lives to save that of their dog.
Caring for Pets: The Hospice Option
Dogs and cats have much shorter life spans than humans and age at different rates. A 7-year-old cat is about the equivalent of 45 in human years and a 20-year-old cat is about 98. Age equivalents for dogs differ slightly, depending on the size of the animal. A small-to-medium 7-year old dog is about 44 to 47 in human years, while the equivalent for a large breed is 50 to 56. A small-to-medium 20-year old dog is the human equivalent of 96 to 115 years. For a larger breed, a 20-year-old dog is about 120 in human years.
As pets age, they are susceptible to many of the same diseases seen in older humans, like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, kidney and liver disease, arthritis and senility. Younger pets can also have serious health problems.
Pet owners often opt for euthanasia because they don't want their beloved animal to continue suffering. Aggressive treatment for a terminally ill pet can sometimes cause more anxiety, pain or illness for the animal. However, some animal experts are offering another option for owners – pet hospice.
The philosophy of pet hospice and palliative care is similar to that offered for people. The focus is on safety and comfort for the animal, ideally in loving, familiar surroundings.
The concept of pet hospice has been around for about 20 years, but has been slow to gain acceptance. The choice requires a significant commitment of care by owners. Veterinary staff need to teach the owner how to monitor the animal's symptoms, provide pain medication and administer fluids and other treatments. Not all pet owners are willing to take such an intensive hands-on approach to treatment or take the time to continually monitor a pet and stay in touch with the veterinary team.
Kathryn Marocchino, Ph.D., Founder of The Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets in Vallejo, CA, says with proper care and guidance, pet hospice provides a peaceful end for an animal and euthanasia is rarely necessary. However, not all veterinarians are comfortable offering assistance with hospice care. So owners may need to seek out the services of another vet. The International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care was formed to promote pet hospice and provide information for veterinary staff and pet owners. There are also several small organizations around the country that promote pet hospice.
For information or help in locating a hospice service for a pet, visit the website for Marocchino's organization, the Nikki Hospice Foundation for Pets
For general information on pet health or hospice care:
American Animal Hospital Association American Veterinary Medical Association ASPCA International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care
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