1-15 Lexington Rd, Underwood, QLD, AU, 4119
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Quality of Life & Palliative Care for Cats
When should you consider a Quality-of-Life consultation?
Many cats can continue to enjoy life and spend meaningful time with their families despite chronic illness, age-related conditions and even terminal disease.
If you are worried about your cat, our Quality-of-Life & Palliative Care Service can provide practical advice, medical support and guidance to help you navigate this stage of their life with confidence.
It can be difficult to know when changes in your cat’s health or behaviour are part of normal ageing or when they may indicate a decline in comfort or wellbeing. You may benefit from a Quality-of-Life consultation if your cat is:
- Eating less or showing less interest in food
- Having difficulty moving around the home or reaching their favourite resting places
- Withdrawing from family members or interacting differently than usual
- Experiencing changes in toileting habits
- Struggling to groom themselves
- Having more bad days than good days
What is a Quality-of-Life Assessment?
During the consultation, we assess the factors that have the greatest impact on your cat’s wellbeing, including comfort, pain, mobility, appetite, behaviour and independence. We also discuss how your cat is managing everyday activities such as grooming, toileting, moving around the home and interacting with family members.
Together, we’ll look at the bigger picture and answer the bigger questions. Is your cat still able to enjoy their favourite things? Are there more good days than bad days? Are there opportunities for treatment or symptom management? Can changes at home help make life easier for your cat?
It’s natural to assume that euthanasia is the only option once a cat’s health reaches a certain point. However, we have various scoring tools and can monitor your cat’s progress. This allows us to reassure you that your cat is not suffering unnecessarily and that you may have more time together than you realise.
Palliative Care for Cats
Palliative care is appropriate when a cure is no longer available or when further treatment is unlikely to help. Rather than focusing on the underlying disease, the focus shifts to managing symptoms and adapting care to your cat’s changing needs.
When it’s time to consider euthanasia
We want you and your cat to spend as much time together as possible. But despite the common saying that cats have nine lives, eventually the time comes to decide whether euthanasia is the kindest option. There is never a perfect moment for this. The decision is always difficult, and the right choice will vary from family to family.
Euthanasia is a gentle and peaceful process that allows a cat to pass away without pain or distress. The procedure involves administering medication that helps them relax before their heart quietly stops.
If the time comes to say goodbye, you are always welcome to stay with your cat throughout the process or step away if you prefer.
Losing a loved one hurts, and that includes our beloved pets. When your cat’s life comes to an end, grief is a normal part of the process, and it can be hard to navigate alone. Be kind to yourself. If you or anyone in your household needs additional support, there are some wonderful services available.
Need more guidance?
If your cat is ageing or suffering from medical issues, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. Contact our team today to book a Quality-of-Life Consultation.
"It's important not to jump to conclusions when your cat is ageing or facing medical challenges."
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my cat needs a Quality-of-Life consultation?
A Quality-of-Life consultation may be helpful if your cat is eating less, struggling with mobility, withdrawing from family members, experiencing changes in toileting habits or having more bad days than good days. It can also provide guidance when it is difficult to tell whether changes are related to ageing or declining health.
What happens during a Quality-of-Life assessment for cats?
During the consultation, factors such as comfort, pain, mobility, appetite, behaviour and independence are reviewed. Everyday activities, including grooming, toileting, moving around the home and interacting with family members are also discussed to build a broader picture of your cat’s health.
Is euthanasia always recommended for elderly or seriously ill cats?
No. The consultation explores a range of considerations, including treatment opportunities, symptom management and changes that may help at home. Quality-of-life scoring tools and ongoing monitoring can also help determine whether your cat may still have meaningful time ahead.
What is palliative care for cats?
Palliative care is appropriate when a cure is no longer available or when further treatment is unlikely to help. The focus shifts from treating the underlying disease to managing symptoms and adapting care to your cat’s changing needs.
How can a Quality-of-Life consultation help with euthanasia decisions?
There is never a perfect moment to make a decision about euthanasia, and every family approaches it differently. A Quality-of-Life consultation helps assess your cat’s circumstances and provides practical information that may help you decide when euthanasia is the kindest option.
Patient Stories
Our commitment to feline health is best seen in the stories of the cats we’ve had the privilege of treating. These journeys highlight the dedication, expertise and compassion that drive us.
Each patient faced unique challenges, and it was our honour to offer high-quality care and help them regain strength and happiness. We value the deep bonds with cats and their owners, knowing the difference we make in their lives.
Kitty, a lymphoma survivor
We first met Kitty after she was referred to CSS for the evaluation of a large intestinal mass
Poppi finds her feet again
Following surgery to remove a hairball obstruction, Poppi was referred to us at CSS as she had not bounced back as expected
Rusty and his ongoing chronic rhinitis journey
Lifelong nasal issues, including persistent discharge and breathing noise, have been a bit of a thorn in Rusty’s side.
Lando’s long game with cryptococcus
Lando was referred to CSS because he had a swelling under his jaw that wouldn’t go away.
Popeye coughs up the culprit
Ares is a handsome young Maine Coon who was referred to CSS after presenting at AES with sudden lameness in his back leg.
Key Takeways
Quality-of-Life consultations help assess how illness, ageing and other health conditions are affecting your cat.
Quality-of-life scoring tools can help monitor your cat’s progress and inform future care decisions.
Palliative care focuses on symptom management when a cure is no longer available or appropriate.
Cat Specialist Services Reviews 
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Tanya Bell
6 months ago
We transported our cat here from another animal hospital, as his condition was too complex for them. Our pet was given the highest quality of care, multiple investigations/procedures being able to be done at the one place a godsend. We were kept up to date frequently throughout his stay. All questions & options explained thoroughly. Being able to have private visits certainly helped us and our cat too. I would highly recommend Cat Specialist Services at Underwood. Amazing staff from reception, vet nurses, vets & specialists. Oh, and yes he is recovering wonderfully at home.
Melinda Cox
A month ago
So very happy we were asked to come here for advice for our NORBIT. He has had 2 x UTI blockages within weeks of each other since turning 6. Surgery seemed to be his only option and he didn’t feel it was very fair on him if we didn’t at least exhaust all other avenues first.
Dr Allison was very thorough in her tests and has let us know she would like to treat the cause of the problem. Great news.
It may lead to removal of crystals in his bladder if his diet doesn’t let him pass them naturally.
At least this surgery won’t be as severe at taking his penis off him – so as his fur parents – we are very happy with this.
We await further tests to see what’s in store for him.
NORBIT will now be a patient of the clinic as we are so far very happy with his treatment thus far.
Lesley Rosekrans
A month ago
Hi has only been a week since losing my beautiful Peaches but can’t thank Dr Cindy, Maree and Jackie enough for the tender care they gave her and they after care they gave me. I sincerely thank them and can’t recommend the Clinic highly enough they are such caring people. Peaches I’m happier times.
Madison McEwan
A month ago
I cannot thank the entire CSS team enough and especially Dr Cindy for the care they provided for our boy with a urinary blockage, and we will be taking both our cats here from now on. The clinic is exceptionally clean and calming compared to all other clinics we’ve been too, and all staff from the reception to the nurses/vets were so supportive during a stressful time. I knew from the first minute that I got to see him after he was transferred that he was in the best place, and that the staff genuinely care about their well-being and positive long term outcomes. We were given regular updates and full transparency, so much information including QR video codes on how to administer medications, along with print outs and emails about how to best help avoid future issues or recurrence. Our boy got to smooch on everyone and was beyond well looked after. Thank you again, you all made an incredibly stressful situation actually manageable and calming.
Astrid El Gamal
6 months ago
Dr Wan-Ju has been treating my baby since her first seizure in November 2025 and she has been fantastic.
Everybody at the clinic is so friendly and caring and I know my baby is in good hands.
Thank you team!
Deeba M
3 months ago
Dr Alison Jukes from CSS Underwood is an AMAZING feline physician. She is kind, professional, thorough and our cat is blessed to have her on his side. She even was able to save us money and invasiveness by being skilled to the level of doing ultrasound on two separate occasions without our cat needing to go under full sedation. Our other cat was recently seen by Dr Jukes as well, and she made sure our cat’s heart was ok. I also want to thank the lovely Jacqueline and Mairead from customer care. They are very kind each time I see them and call up. Sending thanks from our family, including Smokey and Floozy!
Judith Dionysius
A month ago
My whole experience with CSS was positive – from the first email I received giving lots of information regarding the process of radioactive iodine treatment to the expected costs, to checking my cat in for the treatment, boarding for 2 weeks after the treatment and picking her up to come home. They didn’t push for any tests that were not necessary.
Janelle Wieden
5 months ago
We never knew this service existed but we are very grateful we were referred to them. Our vet Cindy was really great, she made us feel at ease during a very stressful time. We got the sense straight away the Leo was in good hands. This service made us feel better knowing that they specialise is cats only. Would highly recommend their services
Georgia Carter
5 months ago
My Lani finished her I-131 treatment today and I am beyond impressed with the way she was looked after. I am by definition a neurotic pet owner and sending my fur child away for a week was seriously daunting.
I was given daily updates about how kitty was eating, toileting and behaving. This really put my mind at ease. Vets and vet nurses were so accomodating and allowed Lani to have her favourite foods from home prepared her favourite way.
Her vet was so thorough when explaining her treatment and condition to me.
The ladies at reception were so friendly and understanding.
I honestly cannot recommend this clinic enough and I am so thankful for the positive experience Lani and I have had.
Lauren Woodward
A year ago
My sweet ginger boy Louis was hospitalised at CSS for a Urinary Obstruction. Dr Cindy and all the reception staff were amazing and empathetic. I would often ring up with questions post procedure and Dr Cindy would make time to talk and explain things to me
Contacting Us
Pet Owners
If you would like to talk about treatment for your cat, call us on 1300 228 377 or fill in the form.
In an emergency, please contact your local vet.
Vets and Nurses
To refer a patient or book a telehealth consultation please call us on 1300 228 377, book through the portal or fill in the form. For advice calls, please see the guidelines here.
Monday-Friday: 8 am-6 pmSaturday/Sunday - Closed