Dr. Mavi Graves

Caring Pathways Colorado Veterinarian

 Such was the case during a recent Teleadvice conversation. The owner’s cat, Theodore, was 15 years old, had renal failure and chronic pancreatitis and was receiving daily SQ fluids and oral medication several times a day. He had recently developed diarrhea, had stopped eating, and was having trouble getting comfortable. The plan was to hospitalize him the following day.

Theodore’s owner, Linda, appeared on camera and I started the conversation the same way I always do: “Please tell me what your goals are with this Teleadvice appointment. What are you hoping to come away with today?” 

With that, Linda burst into tears. “I just wish someone would give it to me straight.” she said. “I feel like Theodore is ready, I feel like I’m ready, but everyone I’ve talked to is just dancing around the fact that he’s not going to get better. I wish someone would just tell me it’s okay to let him go!”

“Oh Linda,” I said-deciding that the cautious approach would not be welcomed, “given everything you and Theodore have been through, it’s very okay to let him go.”

Linda cried big tears of relief. "Thank you for saying that. You have no idea what a relief that is to hear.”

For our referring veterinarians, it probably comes as no surprise that emotional responses to end-of-life discussions are numerous and complex. Intense sadness, anxiety and confusion are obviously common. But as someone who works exclusively in end-of-life care, I’ve noticed there is also often a deep sense of relief. By the time a pet family contacts Caring Pathways for guidance or service, clients are often weary of the emotional, physical and psychological demands of caring for their sick pet. Their beloved pets have likewise been through a difficult journey with diminishing quality of life. When clients express relief amidst what is otherwise a deeply sad part of their journey, it serves as a powerful reminder and affirmation to me about what euthanasia is for pets and their caregivers: the gift of a good death. 

Caring Pathways is honored to help support referring veterinarians and their clients with end-of-life decision making through many in-home service offerings such as:

• Teleadvice Appointments
• Quality of Life Consultations
• Hospice Consultations
• Gentle, compassionate Euthanasia

"My name is Chas Dickens, DVM. I am a veterinarian and I specialize in at-home end-of-life care, to include hospice care for pets along Colorado’s front range. Working out of my black Subaru, I travel all over the front range from Golden to Loveland, Lyons to Parker, and am blessed with the opportunity to meet families on one of the most important days they will share with their pets: their last. I participate in celebrations of lives; I explain the complicated medical ailments that our pets suffer from, and I hear the stories of how our four legged family members come into (and out of) our lives. I help families begin the challenging process of healing after the loss of a four legged family member."

"In September of 2022, a long-awaited email appeared in my inbox. A new drug for treating arthritis in cats had been approved by the FDA and was finally available for purchase. Solensia is a once-monthly subcutaneous injection of cat-specific monoclonal antibodies against nerve growth factor. Nerve growth factor is a mediator of pain and when antibodies bind to it, pain signals are prevented from reaching the brain. Bobby was already getting gabapentin orally once daily for his arthritis, but was starting to be more crabby about taking his medication. The prospect of adding a pain medication that was a simple, once-a-month injection was very appealing."

• Our team of 25+ veterinarians and 20+ support staff members serving from Castle Rock to Fort Collins allows us to provide clients with a quick response time and a flexible appointment schedule.
• Often times we are able to accommodate same day appointment requests.
• Our Client Care Team is available from 7:00AM to 8:00PM to respond to phone calls and online requests.
• Our veterinarians will see appointments from 9:00AM to 1:00AM the following morning.