The
HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale
The HHHHHMM scale will help you evaluate your pet’s quality of life during Pawspice (palliative care). For each Quality of Life marker below, click a score from 0 to 10. Then, add up all responses. A total above 35 points is an acceptable Quality of Life for terminal pets to remain in Pawspice care. 0 represents the worst
score, and 10
the best.
HURT
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10
What is your
pet’s pain level? Adequate pain control,
including breathing ability, is first and foremost on the scale. Is
breathing
difficult? Is Oxygen necessary? If your pet is desperate for breath,
this takes
all priority and Pawspice should end. Is your pet's pain recognized and
successfully managed with adequate pain medications that provide
comfort?
HUNGER
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10
Does hand-feeding
help maintain weight? Does your pet
require a feeding tube?
HYDRATION
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10
For pets not
drinking enough water, provide sub
cutaneous fluids once or twice daily, to supplement fluid intake.
HYGIENE
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10
Your pet should
be brushed and cleaned, particularly
after eliminations. Avoid pressure sores by using soft bedding. Keep
all wounds
clean on a daily basis.
HAPPINESS
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10
Does your pet
express joy and interest? Is he
responsive to things around him (family, toys, etc)?
Is he depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or
afraid? Keep your pet's bed near family
activity areas so he won’t be or feel isolated.
MOBILITY
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10
Can your pet get
up without assistance? ___
Does he feel like going for a walk? ___ Is he happy, not depressed? ___ Can he get around without assistance, human or mechanical help, or a cart? ___ Is your pet free from trembling, seizures or stumbling? ___ MORE GOOD
DAYS THAN
BAD
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7
8 9 10
Do bad days
outnumber good days? If so, quality of life
might be too compromised to continue life. When a healthy human-animal
bond is
no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware that the end is
near. The
final decision must be made if a pet is suffering so that death can
come
peacefully and painlessly.
TOTAL SCORE: _____ |