when you are looking at quality of life..there is a starting point and an ending point. the starting point is where you begin to assess and identify the issues and implement interventions to improve the feelings of wellness and health. it is a process..in animal rescue, there is no single magic pill that will restore an old and neglected dog to good health and youth.
but there are multiple tools available to minimize pain/discomfort, improve mobility and function so that old and neglected ill or disabled animals can enjoy living again.
it is an escalating process, using least interventions to reach a quality of life goal and then adding onto them as needed, as animals continue to age, as bodies continue to deteriorate.
it is not anything different than what we automatically provide for humans suffering from most of the very same issues. we choose to provide humans with the tools that they need to live easier and more pain-free lives. animals do not always get the same consideration...many times it is deemed too much trouble, not worth the effort and more cost effective to euthanize.
this makes me sad..i think animals deserve a chance.
but there is an end point too when the problems have been identified, the plans have been put in place and escalated as needed and the success eventually once again begins to deteriorate and you are right back again looking at quality of life.
so if the end result is going to be the same in a month or two or a year or two..or even in five..does that mean we don't do it?
well that depends...
with holding reasonable and responsible medical treatment from an animal who would have improved quality of life and opting for the more practical, more efficient, less costly and less time consuming euthanization...really is not moral nor fair or right .
(I am not talking about chemo therapy or painful invasive surgery here on a 17 yr old blind and deaf dog..i am talking about giving easily accessible and cost effective medications that can and will improve quality of life)
I believe in the golden rule...so if I was 18 yr old tina with cancer of the mouth and unable to have treatment..i would want to be humanely let go when the meds to keep me comfortable quit working and life started getting tough. but if I was a 12 yr old lab with arthritis in my knees and medication would make me feel better..i would want that chance to keep living, pain-free.
in rescue..i don't think you can go wrong in following the golden rule...do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
to me..that is fair.
you are awesome Carol