Quality of Life Scale

By: Dr. Alice Villalobos

Click here to download Dr. Villalobos' Quality of Life Scale

*Quality of Life Scale₁* The HHHHHMM Scale
Pet caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine the success of pawspice care. Score patients using a scale of 1 to 10.
Score	Criterion
H: 0 - 10	HURT - Adequate pain control, including breathing ability, is first and foremost on the scale. Is the pet's pain successfully managed? Is oxygen necessary?
H: 0 - 10	HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the patient require a feeding tube?
H: 0 - 10	HYDRATION - Is the patient dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough, use subcutaneous fluids once or twice daily to supplement fluid intake.
H: 0 - 10	HYGIENE - The patient should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after elmination. Avoid pressure sores and keep all wounds clean.
H: 0 - 10	HAPPINESS - Does the pet express joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to things around him or her (family, toys, etc.)? Is the pet depressed, lonely, anxious, bored or afraid? Can the pet's bed be close to the family activities and not be isolated?
M: 0 - 10	MOBILITY - Can the patient get up without assistance? Does the pet need human or mechanical help (e.g. a cart)? Does the pet feel like going for a walk? Is the pet having seizures or stumbling? (Some caregivers feel euthanasia is preferable to amputation, yet an animal who has limited mobility but is still alert and responsive can have a good quality of life as long as caregivers are committed to helping the pet.)
M: 0 - 10	MORE GOOD DAYS THAN BAD - When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life might be compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible, the caregiver must be made aware the end is near. The decision needs to be made if the pet is suffering. If death comes peacefully and painlessly, that is okay.
*TOTAL=	*A total >35 points is acceptable for a good pawspice

1.Adapted by Villalobos, A.E., Quality of Life Scale Helps Make Final Call, VPN,
09/2004,for Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology Honoring the Human-Animal
Bond, by Blackwell Publishing, Table 10.1, released 2006.

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Quality of Life Scale

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Reader Comments

scale is not helpful without instruction on what constitutes a score of 1 as opposed to 10.

s, International
Posted: 5/14/2013 11:02:41 AM

The top of the table says "1 to 10"
The table itself says "0 to 10"
Which end of the scale is "good"?

Joshua, New York, NY
Posted: 3/15/2013 1:29:15 PM

My 11 year old beautiful Lab "Spirit" was dignosed with cancer just before Christmas. We made the decision to not opt for chemo and to bring her home and to make her life as comfortable and joyful for what ever time she has left. I discovered your "Quality of Life Scale" and it has been very reassuring and helpful to me in my decision making process. I truly appreciate having found it and have reviewed it several times since.

Donna, Pullman, MI
Posted: 1/10/2013 4:52:22 AM

Thank you for creating your Quality of Life Scale. I have a 20 yr old male tabby who's who's slowing down considerably and having some eating issues but he still scores 55. I want him around for as long as he wants to be here. Your scale is a great help/

Meg, Seattle, WA
Posted: 10/8/2012 12:56:40 AM

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By: Dr. Alice Villalobos

Quality of Life Scale