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WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR PET HAS A CHRONIC DISEASE Dr. Janelle’s Guide for Pet Parents

Hearing that your beloved cat or dog has a chronic disease can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis, or a heart condition, the news often comes with a mix of emotions—confusion, fear, guilt, and love. 

The good news? With proper care, many pets live happy, comfortable lives even with chronic conditions. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare. 

ADJUSTING TO LONG-TERM CARE 

Chronic diseases require ongoing management, which may include: 

  • Medication (pills, injections, topicals) 
  • Prescription diets 
  • Frequent vet visits and lab monitoring 
  • At-home care (e.g., glucose checks, mobility support) 

This can feel like a big change, but most pet parents find a routine. With time, it becomes second nature. 

COSTS AND PLANNING 

Chronic care can be a financial commitment. Consider: 

  • Pet insurance or veterinary credit plans 
  • Monthly budgets for meds, food, and checkups 
  • Emergency funds for flare-ups or complications 

Planning ahead helps reduce stress and ensures consistent care. 

UNDERSTANDING QUALITY OF LIFE 

Keep checking in on how your pet is doing. Ask: 

  • Are they eating and drinking? 
  • Are they in pain? 
  • Do they still enjoy walks, toys, or cuddles? 

Your vet can help assess and adjust care to improve comfort and well-being. I find it is helpful to keep a journal.  Do not discount how other pets in the household interact.  Sometimes they can be a signal that things are changing and to consider end of life options.    

PREPARING FOR END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS 

This is the hardest part of the journey

Signs that your pet may be nearing the end include: 

  • Unrelenting pain 
  • Loss of appetite or mobility 
  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Disinterest in life 
  • Decreased appetite or having to encourage them more to eat 

Using a quality-of-life scale can guide your decision. We have one available here https://azureholland.com/pet-quality-of-life-guide/. It is common for your pet to have ups and downs.   Measuring how many more down days than up days can guide you as well.    

Euthanasia, while heartbreaking, is sometimes the kindest option. It’s a final act of love—to give your pet a peaceful goodbye when suffering outweighs joy. Talk to your vet and contact us in advance so you can understand all the details.  You’re not alone. 

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT 

Caring for a chronically ill pet can take an emotional toll. It’s normal to feel sadness, guilt, or fatigue. Lean on support groups (online,local), friends, family, and your veterinary team. Visit our grief resources https://azureholland.com/grief-resources/

Your pet feels your love and care—and that matters more than anything. 

CELEBRATE THE GOOD DAYS 

Even with a chronic condition, pets can have many good days—playing, snuggling, or just relaxing in their favorite spot.  Keep a journal, take pictures, enjoy every moment. Chronic illness is only part of their story—not the whole. 

 IN SUMMARY: 

A chronic diagnosis is not the end. With love, structure, and support, your pet can still live a life full of warmth and joy. And when the time comes to say goodbye, you can do so with peace, knowing you gave them everything they needed—right to the end.   

 

 

 



My pet has been given a terminal diagnosis, what now?

The process that a family goes through to reach the decision of euthanasia for a beloved family pet can be one of the toughest things they ever have to go through.

What can make the decision even harder is knowing your pet has a terminal diagnosis and seeing that he or she seems fine – today. Depending on the diagnosis, many pets can quickly end up in an emergency situation that may be painful or extremely stressful on the pet and pet parent. Having your veterinarian provide you with as much information as possible about the diagnosis and what to expect in a timeline format can help families prepare for the ultimate loving decision of euthanasia.

So how do families decide what to do? This decision is personal and every individual approaches and deals with death differently. I always recommend to pet parents to envision how they want to say goodbye. I’ve come to people’s homes where the pet is still doing fairly well and the family was able to take the pet on a final walk, take some pictures, and feed a special meal. In these situations the families saw the appointment as a celebration of life and they wanted saying goodbye to be on a very uplifting experience. Other families that I have helped wait until there is a change in the quality of life of their pet such as the pet not eating or walking. There is not a wrong answer, just what feels right in your heart.  I am honored to help pets and families with these difficult choices. My practice covers the Triangle. In my experience as a veterinarian, home euthanasia offers a very loving alternative to brining your pet into a hospital. It also offers a more private and stress free environment for the pet and pet parent.

Azure

Dr. Holland to be a featured Speaker at International Conference

We are excited to announce that Dr. Holland will be a featured speaker at the 7th International Conference on Pet Loss and Bereavement in Newark, NJ May 16th – 18th, 2014.

Dr. Holland will be presenting on Saturday morning about at home euthanasia for pets.   Azure will share about her experiences helping families in Raleigh and surrounding areas with her specialized house call service to other Veterinarians and counselors from around the United States and abroad.

The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement was founded in 1997 by Dr. Wallace Sife, the nation’s expert on pet loss and bereavement and the author of the book, “The Loss of a Pet,” now in the 4th edition.  The Association is a nonprofit organization of volunteers who have come together to offer support and comfort to those who have loss their beloved pet.

Dr. Holland is a proud member of this organization and offers Dr. Sife’s book to all of her clients as part of her services.  In addition, Dr. Holland was trained in bereavement guidance by Dr. Sife and his colleagues at the Association.  For more information on the Association and the upcoming conference please visit: www.aplb.org

When Comfort Counts…

Dr. Holland believes in the compassion that home euthanasia offers because she can relate to her own experiences. Offering personalized home euthanasia services to Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and surrounding areas is important to her as a veterinarian and pet owner.  No stress for your pet, no cold office – just warmth and familiarity of your own your home.

A Difficult Decision

Dr. Holland’s most important goal is to provide comfort, both in terms of ending the suffering of a beloved pet without physical discomfort or fear, and also your family’s comfort in knowing you are making the best decision possible. From the time Dr. Holland enters your home, the experience will be calm and comforting.