Individual Assessment of Oncology Patient

During a pet’s cancer treatment, the ultimate goal is for them to leave as normal of a life as possible, and continue to enjoy simple pleasures, such as playing with other pets, walking through the park and snuggling on the couch.

Your pet’s quality of life is the most important factor when considering cancer treatment. Quality of life describes the degree to which a pet is healthy, comfortable, and able to enjoy or participate in normal activities.

Many people think they will instinctively know when their pet is uncomfortable or painful. But, small behavioural changes can be difficult to decipher. Quality of Life scoring will help determine if a pet requires additional care.

One such quality of life scoring tool is the HHHHHMM scale. The tool outlines the following quality of life criteria, with a score of 1 to 10 assigned for each category.