Hospice in a zoologic medicine setting.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Welfare Science
• Thanatology

Background:

• Human life expectancy has increased significantly over recent decades.
• This trend is mirrored in zoological species, necessitating a focus on end-of-life care.
• Zoos currently address pain management and triage but lack formal hospice integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review hospice and palliative care concepts and practices.
• To examine the application of these concepts in companion animal care.
• To explore the potential integration of hospice and palliative care into zoologic medicine.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of hospice and palliative care principles.
• Analysis of current end-of-life care practices in zoologic medicine.
• Discussion of the potential benefits for zoo animals, staff, and visitors.

Main Results:

• Hospice care extends beyond pain relief and geriatric care, encompassing a holistic approach to end-of-life.
• Palliative care principles are increasingly applied to companion animals.
• Formal hospice care models are not yet widely adopted in zoologic medicine.

Conclusions:

• Integrating hospice and palliative care into zoologic medicine is a logical progression.
• Such integration can enhance animal welfare and provide opportunities for personal growth.
• This approach can benefit zoo visitors, veterinary staff, and other personnel.