In-Home Palliative Care for Pets

Compassionate, holistic support for pets with serious or life-limiting illness — in the comfort of home.

At CompassionVet, Dr. O’Brien provides gentle, in-home palliative care for dogs and cats whose needs go beyond routine veterinary visits. Palliative care focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life, supporting both pets and the people who love them during a difficult season.

If your pet is aging, facing a chronic or terminal diagnosis, or experiencing declining quality of life, you are not alone — and you do not have to navigate this without guidance.

A cat sleeping peacefully under white bedsheets., comfortable at home after their in home palliative care visit with Dr. O'Brien in Crawfordville, Florida

Palliative care is medical care focused on comfort, symptom relief, and quality of life, rather than cure. It can be provided alongside curative treatment or as the primary approach when cure is no longer possible or desired.

In veterinary palliative care, our goals include:

  • Reducing pain and discomfort

  • Supporting mobility and appetite

  • Easing anxiety, nausea, and breathing difficulty

  • Honoring your goals and values for your pet

  • Helping families make informed, compassionate decisions

Palliative care does not mean giving up. It means shifting the focus to what matters most: comfort, peace, and time together.

What Is Palliative Care for Pets?

Why Choose In-Home Palliative Care?

For many pets, travel to a clinic is stressful — especially when they are fragile, painful, or fearful. In-home care allows:

  • Familiar surroundings and reduced anxiety

  • Gentle, unhurried appointments

  • Better assessment of comfort and mobility at home

  • Less physical strain for senior or debilitated pets

  • A calmer experience for the entire family

Dr. O’Brien is Fear-Free Certified and has advanced training in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, allowing for a truly integrative and individualized approach

Palliative Care Services Offered

Each visit is tailored to your pet’s condition, temperament, and stage of illness. Services may include:

Comprehensive Palliative Care Exam – $200

A thorough in-home evaluation focusing on:

  • Pain and comfort assessment

  • Mobility, appetite, and energy

  • Breathing, nausea, and elimination concerns

  • Emotional wellbeing and stress

  • Review of current medications and supplements

You will receive guidance on what to expect as your pet’s condition changes and how to best support them at home.

Veterinary Acupuncture – $135

Acupuncture can be a powerful tool in palliative care, helping to:

  • Reduce pain and inflammation

  • Improve mobility and comfort

  • Support appetite and digestion

  • Calm anxiety and restlessness

  • Enhance overall quality of life

Dr. O’Brien completed advanced veterinary acupuncture training through Chi University and uses gentle, patient-centered techniques.

Laser Therapy (Add-On) – $40

Cold laser therapy may be added to acupuncture or exams to:

  • Reduce pain and inflammation

  • Support wound healing

  • Improve comfort in arthritic or painful areas

Medications & Injections

When appropriate, palliative medications and injectable therapies may be provided to manage:

  • Pain

  • Nausea

  • Anxiety

  • Inflammation

  • Appetite concerns

Medication recommendations are always individualized, with a focus on comfort and minimizing side effects. Medication costs vary depending on your pet’s needs.

A small, red, heart-shaped stone placed on dark green fabric. A symbol of the love we have for cats and dogs, and our caring, compassionate service for pet owners.

Supporting You Through Difficult Decisions

One of the most important aspects of palliative care is guidance. Dr. O’Brien helps families understand:

  • What changes are expected with your pet’s condition

  • When adjustments in care may help

  • When quality of life may be declining

  • When hospice care or euthanasia may be the kindest next step

There is no pressure — only support, honesty, and compassion.

Quality of Life Assessment

Many families find it helpful to use a quality of life scale to track their pet’s comfort over time.

👉 View the Quality of Life Scale

This tool can help guide conversations and decisions, especially as needs change.

This scale is a supportive tool to help families reflect on comfort and daily experience. It is not a medical diagnosis or a predictor of life expectancy

Schedule an In-Home Palliative Care Visit

If you feel your pet may benefit from palliative care, early support can make a meaningful difference.

👉 Book an Appointment Online

👉 Reach out for More Information

If you are unsure whether palliative care is right for your pet, booking a consultation allows us to talk through options together.

Why Families Trust CompassionVet

  • Solely focused on in-home care

  • Fear-Free Certified

  • Advanced training in acupuncture and integrative medicine

  • Deep experience with hospice and end-of-life care

  • Gentle, unhurried visits centered on dignity and comfort

At CompassionVet, every visit is guided by respect — for your pet’s life, your bond, and the love you share.

Serving pets and families with compassion, presence, and care — when it matters most.

A veterinarian, Dr. O'Brien, caring for a large dog lying comfortably on his own dog bed. Dr. O'Brien is treating the dog using palliative laser therapy at home. The dog is looking at the camera with a calm expression, while the vet is smiling.