Quality of Life Consultation
A calm, unhurried in-home assessment for families who need to understand what their pet is going through, and what the right next step looks like.
$179flat fee, 45–60 minutes
Not sure yet? Have a 5-minute conversation with our vet first. Call (03) 9115 1472 No charge, no pressure.
- CAETA-certified veterinarian
- Registered Australian vet
- Same-visit euthanasia if you decide together
- 5-star rated on Google (9 reviews)
CAETA Certified
Peaceful Euthanasia
Veterinarian
What is a Quality of Life Consultation?
A Quality of Life consultation is a dedicated home visit for families who aren't sure whether their pet is still doing well enough, day to day, to keep going as they are. It is neither a routine check-up nor an emergency visit. It is time set aside specifically to look at your pet's day-to-day experience, honestly and calmly, so you can make the next decision with clarity.
Families most often book when something has quietly shifted: mobility is not what it was, appetite is off, good days are becoming less frequent, or they simply cannot tell whether their pet is comfortable anymore. If you find yourself asking the question, that is usually the right time to book.
This service is different from palliative care, which is ongoing comfort care, and different from at home euthanasia, which is booked when a family has already decided. The Quality of Life consultation sits between those two: it helps you decide which one is the right next step.
The HHHHHMM Framework Explained
HHHHHMM is a veterinary quality-of-life framework that translates the abstract question “is my pet still doing well?” into seven concrete markers you can watch for at home. During the consultation we walk through each one together.
- H
Hurt
Is your pet in controllable pain? Pain that responds to medication is different from pain that no longer responds.
- H
Hunger
Are they eating enough to sustain themselves, and is the food giving them pleasure?
- H
Hydration
Can they take in enough fluids, either by drinking freely or with our support?
- H
Hygiene
Can they stay clean, or are they lying in their own waste? Skin, coat, and toileting all matter here.
- H
Happiness
Do they still show interest in what they used to enjoy? Family, a favourite spot, a specific person, a food, a walk?
- M
Mobility
Can they still move around enough to reach food, water, and a comfortable place to rest?
- M
More good days than bad
Across a week, are the good days still outnumbering the difficult ones? When bad days start to outweigh good, it is a strong signal.
HHHHHMM was developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos and is used widely in veterinary palliative and hospice care. The purpose is to give families a shared language for what they are seeing.
What Happens During the Visit
$179 · 45–60 minutes
- 01
Book online or call us. We'll arrange a time that works for your family, with no rush at either end of the visit.
- 02
Our vet arrives at your home and spends unhurried time with your pet in their own space, beginning with a full physical examination and a review of medical history.
- 03
Together we walk through the HHHHHMM quality-of-life framework (Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More good days than bad), looking at what each area looks like for your pet day-to-day.
- 04
We assess the home environment for comfort and safety and share an honest clinical perspective on what we're seeing. There is no pressure in either direction; the decision is always yours.
- 05
You leave with a written summary you can refer back to and clear next-step options: a palliative care plan, a follow-up review, or, if your family decides today is the day, a same-visit euthanasia.
What's Included
- Full physical exam and review of medical history
- Assessment against the HHHHHMM quality-of-life framework (Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, More good days than bad)
- Discussion of daily-life markers: eating, toileting, mobility, hygiene, behaviour
- Home environment check for comfort and safety
- Honest clinical perspective with no pressure and no assumption
- Written summary of findings you can refer back to
- Clear next-step options: palliative care plan, follow-up, or same-visit euthanasia if the family decides
When to Book: Signs It May Be Time to Assess
There is no single moment that means it is time to book a Quality of Life consultation. Most families arrive at the decision after noticing a pattern of small changes over weeks or months. The following signs, on their own, are common in older pets; several of them together often mean it is worth having a proper look.
- •Mobility has changed: struggling to get up, slipping on smooth floors, avoiding stairs, or needing help to move to a favourite spot.
- •Appetite is inconsistent: skipping meals, only eating with encouragement, or losing weight without an obvious cause.
- •Toileting is different: accidents indoors, difficulty getting to the toilet in time, or a change in what is normal.
- •Sleep-wake cycles are disrupted: pacing at night, restless during the day, or sleeping far more than usual.
- •The pet seems withdrawn: less interested in family, in the door when someone comes home, in walks, or in food they used to love.
- •You are worried and can't stop turning the question over in your head.
Same-Visit Euthanasia Option
Some families arrive at the consultation already sensing what the honest answer might be, and are worried about booking a second visit and going through the anticipation twice. If, after our assessment, your family decides that today is the right day, the vet can proceed with at home euthanasia at the same visit. There is no need to make a separate appointment, and no additional home-visit fee.
Equally, if the assessment tells us your pet has good time left with the right support, we can shape a palliative care plan on the spot, focused on comfort, pain management, and helping the family enjoy the time that's ahead.
The decision is always yours. Our role is to help you make it from a calm, informed place rather than a rushed or anxious one.
From Families We've Helped
5 on Google, from 9 families
“We lost our beautiful Lily of 19 years. Jina was amazing from initial phonecall to the aftermath of losing her. Sensitive, caring and so very gentle. It was a massive comfort that I could say goodbye to her in the comfort of her home and surrounded by the ones that loved her and who she loved. Thank you so much to the whole team. The care didn't stop on that day. The check in after was appreciated.”
Liz Iorfino · Google Review
“Dr Jina was so kind to my very anxious dog (and her very worried owner!) and was able to help within 24 hours after reassuring me on the phone. I am so incredibly grateful, will be spreading the word to all local pet owners and be a guaranteed return customer.”
Megan Glenister · Google Review
“Jina was amazing. We moved house and our poor cat Pavlova just wasn't loving things. Jina talked us though what could be causing his stress levels and recommend a few different options to get him back to his old self. Pav is now back bossing the household like old times. Thanks Jina”
Sam Blake · Google Review
“Dr Jina was very compassionate in her care for Bruce (our cat) at our home. Bruce is 17yo and usually very stressed when going to the Vet, making it difficult to have a proper examination. We booked a Quality of Life consultation, and Bruce is now on medication and his health has improved. At Home Vetcare was a great solution, and we were very happy with his care (and follow up).”
Julie & Paul H · Google Review
“Dr Jina and AHV were great to deal with. They called to confirm the details before the appointment, kept me informed of arrival time and treated our cat with great care, all whilst dodging claws. Even called a few days later to check in. Would definitely use again and highly recommend.”
Stuart · Google Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Most families book when something has shifted: mobility is declining, appetite is off, good days are becoming less frequent, or they just aren't sure anymore. If you're already asking the question, it's usually the right time.
Not unless we genuinely believe it's the kindest option. We'll share our clinical view honestly, but the decision is always yours. There's no pressure in either direction.
If after the consultation your family decides it's time, our vet can proceed with euthanasia at the same visit. There is no need to book a second appointment.
A Quality of Life consultation is a one-off assessment to help you decide what comes next. Palliative care is ongoing support for pets who aren't at the end but need help staying comfortable.
You Don't Have to Decide Alone
A calm home visit, honest clinical perspective, and no pressure to move faster than your family is ready to. Book online, or call us first if you'd like to talk it through.