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

Under hygiene, the word is supposed to be pressure "sores" and is misspelled as "scores". Thought you'd like to know.

Pam, North Fort Myers, FL
Posted: 11/27/2009 1:22:00 PM

Scoring / weighting “hurt” on an equal basis with “mobility” seems ludicrous for any health care professional. Yes it's first and formost on the scale but the weight is flawed. Poorly controlled pain alone can be proportional to poor "quality of life" without reaching the 35 threshold. This scoring system is very misleading to hospital staff members and owners.

William, Manhattan, KS
Posted: 3/27/2009 7:24:42 AM

This is very helpful. It reaffirms that we have made the right choice and don't need to listen to all the naysayers who say don't treat.

Valerie, Los Angeles Area, CA
Posted: 3/4/2009 10:28:40 AM

This is a very useful tool to help clients with older pets decide when it is time to euthanize. I think it helps make things more objective, and hence makes them feel more justified in their decision.

Eileen, Williams Lake, BC Canada, AL
Posted: 2/15/2009 11:40:50 AM

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By: Dr. Alice Villalobos

Quality of Life Scale