Quality of Life Assessment

Quality of Life Assessment

This Quality of Life Scale has been developed to assess the overall well being of our rescues when they’ve entered end-of-life care as well as to get a baseline assessment for all of our rescues prior to reaching that point. This assessment will only be used to help aid in end of life decisions and will not be used as the sole determining factor in euthanasia decisions.
High Priority Factors to Consider
- Is having difficulty breathing
- Is experiencing more than minor, unrelievable pain
- Has no appetite for any kind of food
In each of the categories below, please select the score that best represents how the animal is performing, with 1 being poor and 5 being optimal. When each of the categories is totaled at the end of this assessment, a score of 35+ reflects a healthy quality of life.
Appetite*

1. Cannot be enticed to eat no matter what is offered to them2. Acts interested in food but walks away from the bowl without eating3. Does not want to eat regular food but will still eat treats or novelty foods4. Will still eat regular food but takes longer to finish5. Eats normally (i.e. eats the same type of food and finishes in the same amount of time compared to 6 months ago)
Hydration*

1. Has had a change of >75% in the volume they drink. When conducting a skin turgor test, the skin takes many seconds to return to normal. Mucus membranes are extremely dry, gums are tacky, and eyes may be sunken2. Has had a change of >50% in the volume they drink. When conducting a skin turgor test, the skin returns to normal in 2+ seconds. Mucus membranes are extremely dry and gums are tacky3. Has had a noticeable change (25-50%) in the volume they drink. When conducting a skin turgor test, the skin returns to normal in 1-2 seconds. Mucus membranes are dry and gums may be somewhat tacky4. Has had a minor change (5. Drinks the same amount as they did 6 months ago. When conducting a skin turgor test, the skin returns to a normal resting state immediately after releasing. Mucus membranes (gums, inner lip, eyes, nose) are normally moist
Weight*

1. Has lost >20% of body weight compared to 6 months ago and I can easily see and feel their bones2. Has lost weight and I can see the change in how they look compared to 6 months ago3. Has lost weight and I can feel their skeleton more prominently than I did 6 months ago4. Has lost some weight but does not look/feel any different than 6 months ago5. Weighs and looks the same as 6 months ago
Appearance*

1. Coat is dull and lifeless and I have not noticed them grooming2. Coat has changed in appearance and I do not notice them grooming as regularly3. Coat has changed in appearance (i.e. duller, thinner, skin is more flaky)4. Coat is a little dull but I still notice them grooming regularly5. Coat looks sleek and shiny
Fecal Habits*

1. Will urinate and/or defecate where they are sleeping or resting, or while they are sitting or laying down2. Appears to have difficulty urinating or defecating, or will urinate/defecate in unusual areas >50% of the time3. Has changes in the frequency or appearance of their urination or defecation4. Urinates/defecates normally most of the time, but may urinate/defecate in unusual areas (such as their housing)5. Urinates and defecates normally
Mobility*

1. Can no longer get up without assistance or falls regularly2. Is not interested in going on walks, no longer climbs, and is reluctant to rise for food or water, or for rewards they used to enjoy (i.e. treats, caretaker coming to visit)3. Spends longer lying down than they used to, but will still get up when I come to visit, or to eat and drink4. Seems to have some difficulty moving around and is less willing to go on walks, or takes shorter walks than they did 6 months ago. (For animals that do not go on walks: Seems to have some difficulty moving around and is less active, or active for shorter periods of time than 6 months ago)5. Moves around normally, and walks/climbs as much as 6 months ago
Activity Level*

1. Shows no interest in greeting me when I come to visit and is not interested in any stimuli (i.e. treats, enrichment, etc.)2. Does not show any interest in their favorite toys/enrichment items and will not get up to greet me3. Shows interest when I come to visit but will not get up to greet me4. Will get up to greet me or engage with companion/neighbors, but is more reluctant to play than 6 months ago5. Plays and interacts with companions, neighbors, and/or caretakers as much as 6 months ago
Comfort Level*

1. Shows overt signs of pain (i.e. vocalization, change in temperament, hiding)2. Seems uncomfortable >50% of the time3. Has difficulty getting up or lying down, or has a limp4. Seems uncomfortable5. Does not seem uncomfortable
Overal Quality of Life*

1. Has more bad days than good days and I am very concerned about their quality of life. I have thought about euthanasia a lot2. Has had a significant change in the quality of their life 75% of the time, and I am starting to think about euthanasia3. Has had a change in their quality of life and I am concerned about their quality of life 50% of the time4. Has had some change in their quality of life, but the good times outnumber the bad >75% of the time5. Has not had any change in their quality of life
For the next few questions, take into account all factors listed, then rate on a scale of 1-5 (with 1 meaning MANY of these are true and 5 meaning NONE are true). Note: These questions are scored separately from those above, and do not factor into the overall Quality of Life Score, but allow for further reflection.
Emotional Functioning:
- Is unable to feel safe and secure and/or frequently hides
- Shows signs of stress/anxiety (i.e. restlessness, trembles or shakes, hypersensitivity to noises, unable to rest in a relaxed and comfortable way)
- Is showing self-harming behaviour (i.e. licking, chewing, scratching, or biting to the point of tissue trauma)
- Is irritable
- Seems consued, forgetful, and/or disoriented
Interest Level, Energy, and Strength:
- Does not show interest in or enjoy the same activities as before
- Shows less interest in playing
- Shows no interest in life; does not even seem to enjoy life
- Is sleeping more than usual
- Is frequently tired, less active, or showing little energy
- Seems dull and depressed
- Is unable/unwilling to get up and move around without assistance
- Is not adequately grooming and cleaning themselves
Emotional Functioning Score*
Interest, Energy, and Strength Score*
Additional Questions
Make a list of three things that the animal liked to do when they were feeling good. How many of these things do they currently enjoy as much or nearly as much as they did prior?*

If the animal’s current quality of life is below what would be a reasonable, decent, livable life, considering all available resources and limitations, what is the likelihood that the animal’s quality of life can return to a reasonable, decent, livable level?*

	Extremely small	Somewhat less than 50/50	50-50	Somewhat more than 50-50	Extremely good	Unknown
Likelyhood

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Quality of Life Assessment

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