My cat will never die, but in case he does get sick, Lap of Love vet has some tips

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

As we all know, life expectancy for pets has a positive correlation to how much we love them. For example, I love my 2-year-old cat, Bean, therefore, he will live forever.

This is reporter Lainey Seyler's cat Bean. He's probably never going to get sick, but if he does, vet Allison Bergin has some tips.

But when it is time to say goodbye to Bean (in 45 years, of course), there's a new option. Lap of Love is a national veterinary hospice and in-home euthanasia service that has its first veterinarian in the Milwaukee area. Although many regular vets do home visits, that's Lap of Love's specialty.

Allison Bergin started doing home hospice care for pets in the Milwaukee area through Lap of Love about a month ago. She primarily performs in-home euthanasia services, but the palliative care (or hospice) is a growing need.

Obviously, Bean is never going to get sick or need hospice care, but just in case, I asked Bergin for some tips for improving quality of life for ailing pets.

Go to your vet

Seems obvious, but it's important to make sure you've got the right diagnosis for your pet. It's tempting to Google symptoms and let anxiety lead you to the worst possible outcome. But your vet can run blood tests and check stool and urine samples to find out what's wrong, then advise you on next steps.

Get the correct pain meds

You can get pain medication during treatment or to ease suffering at the end of life. Either way, check with your vet to see what's right for your furry friend.

Try a yoga mat

Bergin said a yoga mat or some carpet can prevent older dogs from slipping on tile floors.

She said, "Hospice care is about keeping pets comfortable and happy so they have more time with their family."

So something simple like a yoga mat or a new bed can help.

Adjust their diet

One sign of a sick pet is a loss of appetite. Bergin said that pet owners can mitigate that by making food. She advised that a pet's diet should be well-balanced, but it depends on the situation.

"By the time they're in palliative care, if they're only eating lunch meat, then that's better than nothing," she said. "But if you're trying to treat them, reach out to a nutritionist."

Keep them clean

Bergin said, "If they have sores, make sure they're clean so they don't get sick in another way."

Self-grooming can be hard as a pet ages, so they may need extra help keeping clean.

Try extra hydration

"Cats tend to get renal disease," said Bergin. "So you want to keep them hydrated. Your vet can help with subcutaneous fluids."

Bergin explained that subcutaneous fluids are a newer option that can treat dehydration, which is common in cats. It's similar to an IV drip, but the fluids don't need to go directly into a vein. Your vet has to order it for you, but it's simple enough that you can administer it yourself.

How do I know when it's time?

"A lot of what me going to visit homes is, is me affirming a decision," said Bergin. "There's a gray window."

Bergin said the decision to euthanize a pet is about quality of life. Lap of Love has resources to help families decide, and your vet can help, too.

Loss of appetite is one big sign that your pet isn't feeling well. Bergin also said that pets can start pacing or they may hide in weird places. Ailing pets often lose bladder or bowel control, too.

One tip Bergin mentioned was to think about your dog or cat's favorite things, and ask yourself if they still love them. And vice versa.

"Do they hate the mailman?" she said. "And do they still react when the mailman comes?"