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As pets age or develop serious illness, the focus of care often shifts. The priority shifts to maintaining comfort, function, and overall well-being rather than pursuing aggressive treatment.
At VETaround, quality-of-life assessments and palliative care are used to guide these decisions in a clear, practical way.
A quality-of-life assessment is recommended when a pet is ageing, declining, or living with a serious condition. It helps determine how that condition is affecting daily life, including comfort, mobility, appetite, and behaviour. These assessments are carried out in your home, where your pet is more relaxed and easier to evaluate properly.
A quality-of-life assessment is a structured consultation followed by a full physical examination. We look at key factors such as pain levels, movement, hydration, appetite, and interaction with family. These are combined to form a clear picture of your pet’s condition.
Because the consult is done at home, we can observe your pet in their normal environment, which often gives a more accurate understanding of how they are coping.
Where needed, an additional team member assists so your pet can be handled safely and calmly without you needing to restrain them.
After the assessment, the focus is on deciding what is appropriate for your pet. This may involve continuing treatment, adjusting medications, or shifting the focus to comfort-based care.
The aim is to avoid unnecessary intervention while still addressing pain and distress where possible.
You are guided through these decisions with clear information, based on what is actually happening with your pet.
"VETaround has been fantastic for our old very nervous cavoodle Rubi. Ari is very calm and explains everything to us. It’s been the best decision changing from a busy vet with lots of other dogs in the waiting room."
Diane C - VETaround Client
Palliative care is used when a pet has a condition that cannot be cured but can still be managed. The focus is on maintaining comfort and supporting day-to-day function for as long as it is appropriate.
Care may include medication, monitoring, and regular reassessment. Medications can be provided during the consult, which simplifies ongoing management. In-home care allows this to be done without the added stress of travel, which is often significant for older or unwell pets.
Palliative care is not static. Your pet’s condition may change over time. Regular follow-up visits allow care to be adjusted as needed. This helps maintain comfort and ensures that changes are identified early.
Because the same team is involved, there is continuity in how your pet is assessed and managed.
At some point, quality of life may decline to a level where further care is no longer appropriate. This is discussed openly and based on a clear assessment, not guesswork.
If euthanasia is considered, it can be arranged at home, allowing your pet to remain in a familiar environment.
In-home care forms the foundation of how we treat and manage your pet’s health. Most conditions can be assessed, treated, and monitored in a familiar environment where pets are calmer and easier to handle. Available to residents of Sydney’s inner city, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and the Lower North Shore.
First visit from Ari and Ellie and it went beyond all expectations. They were so genuinely interested in my two cats. Of course I couldn’t stop talking about them but they clearly were not bored. Did excellent health checks and vaccinations – was an absolute pleasure and I would totally recommend them to anybody. So fabulous having no stress of lugging…
Elle’s exceptionally professional, warm, and helpful phone manner, together with Dr Ari’s prompt arrival, gentle approach with Hudson, and clear, thorough medical explanations and recommendations, immediately put my mind at ease. The high level of care and professionalism demonstrated confirmed that contacting VETaround was the right decision.
Ari is the best vet ever. His home visits are incredible. Such a great service to not have to put your beloved pets in the stressful situation of a car. Or around sick pets in a waiting area. My cats LOVE HIM. Ollie my male cat NEVER comes out of hiding when visitors come over. With Ari, he not only came out, let him weigh him, have his check up done…
I was very pleased with the ladies from VETaround Mobile vet. Professional, polite and very knowledgeable. Certainly eased my mind about my cat 🐈 would recommend them to anyone needing good veterinary care for their pet. We all know just how important our four legged friends are!
A quality-of-life assessment is useful when you notice ongoing changes, such as reduced mobility, appetite loss, or behavioural shifts. It is particularly relevant for older pets or those with chronic illness. The goal is to understand how these changes are affecting daily life.
It looks at practical indicators such as pain, movement, hydration, appetite, and interaction. These factors are considered together rather than in isolation. This helps form a clearer picture of overall well-being.
Yes, many aspects of palliative care can be managed at home with VETaround’s assistance. Provided you are within the Inner West, the City or the Lower North Shore of Sydney, we can offer comprehensive clinical care from your home. This includes monitoring, medication, and regular reassessment. Home care reduces stress and allows your pet to remain in a familiar environment.
Pain management is based on the underlying condition and how your pet is responding. Medication may be adjusted over time as needed. The aim is to reduce discomfort without overcomplicating treatment.
This decision is based on a decline in quality of life, including ongoing pain, loss of function, or inability to engage with normal activities. A structured assessment helps guide this decision. It is discussed clearly, without pressure, based on your pet’s condition.
