Advances in veterinary internal medicine have improved quality of life for companion animals with chronic diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Companion animals with chronic diseases can live comfortable, extended lives with appropriate management if owners are informed and engaged. Untreated diabetes causes progressive metabolic deterioration causing suffering. Heart disease without management causes respiratory distress. Cancer causes pain that can be managed. Quality of life assessment tools help owners and veterinarians make welfare-centered decisions about treatment intensity and end-of-life timing.