Palliative care is about more than easing pain – it’s about preserving comfort, dignity, and connection, so every moment your pet has left can be lived with love and without unnecessary suffering.
The Anaesthesia Vet
Palliative Care
Every moment becomes precious when a pet is living with a serious illness. Our palliative care for pets helps families across Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast focus on comfort, dignity, and connection, so your companion’s days are as calm and meaningful as possible.
Compassionate care led by specialist expertise
Our palliative care service combines specialist-level medical skill with genuine heart. With advanced expertise in anaesthesia and pain management, we design individualised care plans that prioritise comfort in every form – physical, emotional, and psychological, so pets can live their final chapters with dignity and ease.
Whether your companion is facing a terminal diagnosis, advanced arthritis, or a chronic heart condition, we work to minimise discomfort, reduce anxiety, and help them enjoy the things that make life worth living. This approach anticipates and manages symptoms so pets can stay engaged with their families in the most positive way possible.
When palliative care is the right choice
Palliative care becomes essential when the focus shifts from curing an illness to enhancing quality of life. It can help pets with advanced cancer, severe arthritis, degenerative diseases, or any condition that impacts comfort and mobility. For some families, it’s also the right choice when curative treatments are no longer effective, practical, or aligned with their wishes.
We work closely with pet owners and their regular veterinary clinic to coordinate care, keeping pets in familiar surroundings. Every decision is informed, every treatment considered, and every moment shaped around your pet’s needs.
Managing symptoms with sensitivity and skill
Palliative care with The Anaesthesia Vet is never one-size-fits-all – it’s a carefully considered plan shaped around each pet’s unique situation. We draw on advanced pain management techniques, from targeted nerve blocks to medications adjusted for minimal side effects, alongside nutritional support and thoughtful environmental changes.
For pets who struggle with eating, we use gentle methods to encourage appetite; for those with mobility challenges, we explore therapies and home modifications that make daily life easier. We aim to maintain comfort without overwhelming pets with unnecessary interventions, always preserving their dignity and sense of security.
Supporting families through the journey
Caring for a seriously ill pet is emotionally challenging. We’re here not only for the patient, but for the people who love them. That means offering honest, empathetic conversations about treatment options, helping you read subtle changes in your pet’s comfort, and guiding you through the hard decisions that may come.
When the time is right, we can help with end-of-life planning, whether that’s hospice-style care at home or a peaceful, humane euthanasia. Throughout the process, our focus remains on minimising stress for everyone involved, so you can spend less time worrying and more time simply being together.
Anaesthesia Services
Mobile expertise that elevates surgical outcomes through precision monitoring, targeted pain relief, and exclusive one-to-one attention.
Consultant Anaesthesia
Expert anaesthetic services for complex surgical procedures and medically compromised vulnerable patients.
Pain Management
Tailored strategies to prevent, control, and eliminate discomfort throughout recovery.
Palliative Care
Compassionate comfort-focused care ensuring dignity and peace for end-of-life patients.
Telehealth
Remote consultations for anaesthetic planning, risk assessment, and owner guidance.
Trusted by Vets. Valued by Families.
When complex cases demand specialist expertise, collaboration matters. Our anaesthetic partnership enhances patient outcomes while supporting your practice goals, providing seamless integration and clinical excellence for challenging procedures.
Specialist Anaesthetist
Focused on complex, high-risk cases, and there until your patient is stable.
Mobile, Personalised Clinic Care
We bring advanced equipment, specialist protocols, and tailored anaesthetic plans.
Dedicated
Throughout
One specialist focused on your patient from pre-op assessment to recovery.
Advanced Monitoring & Gold Standard Care
Advanced monitoring techniques and specialist equipment to protect the most vulnerable patients.
Supporting Teams & Clients
Clear clinical communication, transparent discussions, and coordinatedcare that builds confidence.
Trusted Across Queensland
Professional partnerships with leading practices throughout Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast.
FAQs
What is palliative care for pets, and how can it help my dog or cat?
Palliative care for pets is specialised veterinary support focused on keeping your dog or cat comfortable and happy when they’re dealing with serious illness, chronic pain, or age-related conditions. Instead of trying to cure a disease, the goal is to improve your pet’s quality of life – managing pain, keeping them relaxed, and making everyday life easier.
This kind of care can involve medications for pain relief, gentle therapies to help with mobility or breathing, and simple changes at home to keep your pet cozy. It’s a compassionate approach that ensures your beloved companion feels as little discomfort as possible, for as long as possible. Pet owners often find that palliative care for pets Brisbane families trust provides peace of mind, knowing they are doing everything to keep their best friend comfortable and cared for.
How do I know if my pet might need palliative care?
It can be difficult to know when a pet is ready for palliative care, but there are some signs and situations to watch for. You might consider palliative care if your dog or cat has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, is struggling with chronic pain (like advanced arthritis or cancer), or if treatments are no longer helping them feel better.
Pay attention to your pet’s daily quality of life. For example, if they’re no longer interested in their favourite activities, have trouble moving or eating, or seem anxious and uncomfortable often. These changes can mean your pet isn’t feeling well, and supportive care focused on comfort could really help. Talking with your regular vet or a specialist like The Anaesthesia Vet can guide you in deciding when pet palliative care is the kindest option.
Why should I involve a veterinary anaesthesia and pain management specialist in my pet’s palliative care?
Involving a specialist like The Anaesthesia Vet means your pet gets the highest level of pain relief and comfort strategies available. Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia specialists are experts in advanced pain management – they can use a wide range of techniques and medications that regular clinics might not offer, from nerve blocks and epidural pain relief to customised medication plans that keep your pet comfortable around the clock. The Anaesthesia Vet focuses on relief and safety: we monitor your pet closely and adjust their care in real-time, ensuring they remain as calm and pain-free as possible.
By working alongside your primary vet, our specialist team adds an extra layer of expertise for conditions like severe arthritis, cancer pain, or advanced heart or kidney issues. Ultimately, having a pain management specialist involved in palliative care gives you peace of mind that you’re doing everything medically possible to make your pet’s life better, without unnecessary suffering.
Do you offer palliative care for pets in Brisbane?
Absolutely. The Anaesthesia Vet is based in Brisbane and offers palliative care for pets both in the city and across nearby areas. We travel to work closely with your regular veterinarian, which means your pet can receive specialist comfort care right in your local vet clinic. Our team directly brings you advanced pain management and compassionate support, making palliative care for pets Brisbane pet owners can access conveniently and stress-free. We understand Brisbane families want the very best for their pets, and we’re here to provide expert palliative support without the need for long drives or unfamiliar hospitals.
Is pet palliative care available on the Gold Coast through your service?
Yes. We extend our specialist palliative care services to pets on the Gold Coast as well. Our team frequently works with Gold Coast veterinarians to provide advanced pain relief and end-of-life comfort for pets in the area. This means you can get the same expert level of care for your dog or cat without leaving the Gold Coast. We’re proud to offer pet palliative care Gold Coast families can rely on, ensuring local pets receive compassionate care and pain management when they need it most.
Do you provide veterinary palliative services on the Sunshine Coast?
Yes. We serve pets and their families on the Sunshine Coast with the same level of specialist palliative care as we do in Brisbane. Our mobile service means a veterinary anaesthesia and pain management specialist can work with your Sunshine Coast vet to tailor a comfort care plan for your pet. Whether your dog needs help with chronic arthritis pain or your cat has a life-limiting illness, we can assist in keeping them comfortable. We offer the advanced, compassionate veterinary palliative services Sunshine Coast pet owners can count on, so you don’t have to travel far or struggle alone when your pet needs extra support.
What does a pet palliative care plan include?
A pet palliative care plan is personalised to your animal’s needs, but it usually includes a mix of medical and practical support to keep them comfortable. When you work with The Anaesthesia Vet on a palliative plan, we start by reviewing your pet’s medical history and current condition in detail. Then we develop strategies to manage pain and any distressing symptoms – this can involve medications (like pain relievers, anti-anxiety medicine, or appetite stimulants), physical aids (such as soft bedding, harnesses or slings for mobility), and techniques to reduce stress.
We’ll also give you guidance on daily care, which might include adjusting your pet’s diet, keeping it hydrated, and maintaining hygiene for pets who have trouble moving around. Importantly, our plans include regular check-ins and adjustments as needed; as your pet’s condition changes, we modify their care to ensure they continue to have the best quality of life possible.
Can palliative care for my pet be done at home, or do we need to visit a clinic?
We strive to make palliative care as stress-free as possible for both you and your pet. In many cases, much of the care can be done at home. The Anaesthesia Vet team often collaborates with your regular vet to arrange home-based comfort care whenever it’s feasible. This could include guiding you on giving medications, adjusting your pet’s home environment for safety and comfort, and scheduling regular check-ups by phone or telehealth.
Certain treatments or procedures that require special equipment (like advanced pain-blocking techniques) may be performed at your veterinary clinic, where we have the right setup. Our goal is always to minimise travel and keep your pet in a familiar environment, so we’ll work out the best plan that suits your situation on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, or here in Brisbane.
“I cannot recommend Dr Kieren Maddern highly enough. She has cared for both of my tiny, health-compromised Pomeranians, who are high risk when it comes to anaesthesia. As a very anxious owner, the thought of putting them under is always stressful, but knowing Dr Kieren is in control makes all the difference.”
M Vincent - Pet Owner
“Working with Kieren brings a sense of calm and confidence to even the most complex cases. With her managing anaesthesia, we can focus entirely on dentistry, knowing every detail of patient safety is being handled with care and precision.”
Dr Aaron & Dr Bec, Advanced Animal Dentistry
“Kieren shares our passion for cats. Her specialist training and knowledge allowed us to safely pursue treatments that required anaesthesia in a manner that ensured the utmost safety for Mr Gibbs. Her level of planning, communication, and care was extraordinary.“