What Matters Most to Pet Owners During Hospice Care—And How Real-Time Data Can Help
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult and emotional experiences a pet owner will face. In those final months, weeks or days, what pet families want most is to know they’re making the right decisions—decisions that prioritize comfort, reduce suffering, and honor the bond they’ve shared.
When it comes to hospice and end-of-life care, pet owners are often seeking more than just medical advice. They’re looking for clarity, compassion, and confidence in the path forward. That’s where objective data from tools like PetPace—and structured preparation through TelmyVet—can make all the difference.
💬 What Pet Owners Want in Hospice Care
Based on veterinary experience and caregiver feedback, families commonly value:
- Peaceful, pain-free time at home
- Clear signs that their pet is comfortable—or not
- Reassurance they’re not missing something important
- Support in knowing when it might be time
- Gentle, honest conversations with their veterinary team
These needs are often wrapped in fear, guilt, and uncertainty. Especially with stoic pets, suffering can go unnoticed. That’s why giving families concrete insight is not only helpful—it’s essential.
📋 The Role of Assessment Forms in Supporting Families
Before the consultation even begins, structured intake tools like Quality of Life (QOL) assessment forms, pain scales, and educational materials help families reflect on their pet’s behavior and comfort level.
These forms:
- Encourage meaningful observation at home
- Help families process changes they may not have noticed
- Provide clinicians with valuable context for the consultation
When combined with real-time data, these self-assessments create a more complete, emotionally grounded picture of the pet’s well-being.
📊 How PetPace Monitoring Helps Families and Their Veterinary Team
PetPace is a non-invasive, smart collar that continuously tracks a pet’s vital signs and behavioral indicators. During hospice care, it offers a real-time, data-driven window into how a pet is doing—moment to moment and over time.
Through TelmyVet’s integration with PetPace, veterinary teams can access this data directly from the consult dashboard.
🌡 TPR (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration): Foundational Clinical Indicators
Monitoring TPR remotely allows teams to detect signs of systemic changes or early decline—without requiring a clinic visit. This supports early intervention and reduces stress for both pet and caregiver.
🧠 Heart Rate Variability (HRV): Insight Into Stress and Pain
Low HRV is a physiological sign of distress or unmanaged pain. By observing HRV trends, your team can assess how well pain is being controlled and when interventions may be needed.
🌙 Sleep Score: Quality of Rest Matters
Disrupted sleep is an early, often overlooked sign of discomfort. Sleep scores help monitor rest patterns—giving insight into the pet’s overnight comfort, a time when distress might otherwise go unnoticed.
😿 Pain Score: A Critical Indicator in Quality of Life
PetPace’s algorithm-based pain score translates behavior and vitals into a measurable indicator of discomfort—helping families understand when their pet may be suffering, even if they’re not vocalizing it.
📈 Trending Data: Clarity Over Time
Hospice care evolves. PetPace trendlines help veterinary teams and families:
- Track progression or stabilization
- Evaluate responses to medications or changes in care
- Time follow-ups and discussions more effectively
🤝 Peace of Mind, Backed by Insight
Hospice care isn’t just about how long a pet lives—it’s about how well they live in their final days. With TelmyVet’s integrated platform—combining virtual care, structured assessments, and real-time data from PetPace—veterinary teams can provide care that’s compassionate, proactive, and grounded in insight.
By equipping families with clear information and a structured process, you help them feel supported every step of the way—even during the hardest decisions.