A Final Trip? Should I Take My Dog on a Trip After He's Diagnosed with a Terminal Illness? — A Decision-Making Guide

The dilemma after heartbreak: love, grief, and the "wish list"

When the veterinarian utters the words "terminal illness," the pet owner's world crumbles instantly. Whether it's lymphoma, late-stage cancer, or organ failure, this diagnosis usheres in a difficult period filled with uncertainty and "anticipatory grief." During this phase, every day feels incredibly precious.

That's why many owners' first reaction is—"I want to take it on a trip." This is a strong instinct stemming from love, a desire to create a "bucket list" for their dogs. This desire is not only to create more joyful and cherished memories, but also to provide them with "things to look forward to" in the final stages of their lives, allowing them to maintain their enthusiasm for life.

However, this loving idea hides a profound conflict: are we trying to fulfill the dog's last wish, or to alleviate our own fear and grief at losing it?

The crux of the issue lies in how we balance two fundamentally different needs. On one hand, there's the owner's emotional need to create "memories"; on the other hand, there's the dog's medical need for "palliative care." The medical goals of palliative care are very clear: manage symptoms, ensure comfort, and minimize stress. But travel, by its very nature, is a source of stress—it's full of variables, unfamiliar environments, and potential pathogens.

When a dog is diagnosed with a terminal illness, such as while receiving palliative care like steroids, its immune system may already be compromised. At this point, a loving travel decision by the owner may inadvertently violate the primary principles of palliative care, exposing the dog to unnecessary risks. This guide will delve into this complex decision-making process to help pet owners find the best answer for their pets, balancing love with reality.

The first step in decision-making: Objectively assess "Quality of Life" (QoL)

Before considering any travel plans, we must put aside our emotions and conduct an objective assessment. The key is not about what "disease label" the dog has been given, but about its current "Quality of Life" (QoL). The purpose of this assessment is to gently allow us to take a step back and see the dog's true state "now," not just "how it was in the past."

One of the most commonly used tools in veterinary palliative care (sometimes referred to as "Pawspice") is the HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale. This is not a cold, impersonal "test," but a structured tool that helps owners transform vague concerns into concrete observations and empowers them to become active participants in the pet care team.

This scale requires the owner to rate seven key areas (usually on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the ideal). A total score of over 35 is generally considered an acceptable quality of life.

Dog Quality of Life (QoL) Assessment Checklist (The HHHHHMM Scale)

When conducting this assessment, it is crucial to recognize the impact of caregiver burden on judgment. The emotional and physical toll of caring for a terminally ill pet is immense. Sometimes, owners may overestimate QoL due to a state of denial, driven by their desperate desire to make that "final trip." Conversely, exhausted owners may underestimate QoL.

Therefore, a highly valuable suggestion is to have multiple family members complete the QoL assessment independently, and then discuss the results together. This method helps eliminate personal biases and allows us to get closer to the dog's true feelings. At the same time, it's also an opportunity to honestly ask ourselves: is this trip plan truly for its happiness, or for our own urgent need to "do something"?

The Cost of Travel: The Huge Risks of Travel for Terminally Ill Dogs

If the QoL assessment shows the dog is in relatively good condition, we then have to weigh the costs of the trip itself. For a dog in poor health, the risks of travel are far greater than we might imagine.

Psychological stress and physiological burden

Dogs are animals that rely on routines and environments. Travel, especially long-distance travel, means a complete breakdown of routines. Unfamiliar smells, loud noises, and crowded spaces can all trigger severe anxiety. This stress manifests as physical symptoms such as excessive drooling, trembling, barking, and even nausea and vomiting. The psychological stress itself is a heavy blow to an already weakened body.

Medical Risks: Challenges to the Immune System

For terminally ill dogs, the greatest threat comes from medical risks:

• Impaired immune system : Both the disease itself (such as lymphoma) and palliative treatments (such as steroids) can weaken a dog's immune system. This makes them extremely susceptible to new pathogens.
• High risk of infectious diseases : We believe that seemingly harmless rest stops, pet-friendly hotels, and even grassy areas can be breeding grounds for pathogens. Dogs may come into contact with kennel cough, canine influenza, or parasites such as fleas and ticks in these places. Drinking contaminated stagnant water is also more likely to lead to leptospirosis.
• Gastrointestinal Disruption (GI Disruption) : Sudden changes in environment, diet, and drinking water can easily cause gastrointestinal upset, leading to diarrhea or vomiting. This can be dangerous for a dog that may already be struggling with the "hunger" and "hydration" items on the QoL scale.
• Physical Exhaustion : Travel is tiring. Long journeys can exacerbate pain from arthritis or tumors, and motion sickness can make the experience even worse.

Nightmare scenario: A crisis occurs in a foreign land

The most frightening thing is a medical emergency occurring when you are away from your family veterinarian. Your family veterinarian knows your dog's complex medical history and medication history best.

A painful lesson comes from a pet owner's experience: they left their sick dog on a trip despite the veterinarian's assurance that everything was fine. However, the situation deteriorated rapidly after they left, forcing them to drive back under immense stress, only to face expensive emergency surgery and a long recovery period. This risk is magnified countless times when you're traveling with a terminally ill dog on unfamiliar roads.

A serious warning about air travel

As a provider of professional pet supplies (including IATA-certified airline crates), we have an ethical responsibility to clearly state that air travel should almost never be an option for terminally ill dogs.

Flying is the most stressful and risky mode of travel. Studies show that even healthy dogs can suffer adverse health consequences, including death, during air transport. The confined space, pressure changes, high temperatures, and pressure during flight can lead to heatstroke and serious respiratory problems, especially for short-muzzled dogs (such as French Bulldogs and Pugs).

For a dog whose life is already hanging by a thread, choosing air travel undoubtedly puts the human's "destination" above the pet's most basic "comfort" and "safety".

Touching Stories vs. Heartbreaking Regrets: The Real Voices of Pet Owners

On social media, it's easy to find touching stories of "last trips." But at the same time, forums for pet loss are also filled with the heartbreaking regrets of pet owners.

Lessons from positive examples

• Monty's Last Adventure : A widely circulated story is about Monty, a Labrador Retriever. Knowing that Monty was terminally ill and had difficulty moving, his owner used a wheelbarrow to take him up their favorite hill. This wasn't a new, stressful destination, but a place full of shared experiences and extremely familiarity, and the owner adjusted the method to suit Monty's physical condition.
• Otto the cat's last day : On the last day of her cat Otto's life (who also had cancer), an owner took her on a "final adventure"—back to the farm where Otto learned to climb trees. Again, it was a familiar and meaningful place.
• "Tripawd" on the RV : Another couple sold their house and bought a motorhome (RV) to travel together after their dog Jerry had a leg amputated due to cancer. It became a lifestyle, with the RV being their mobile home rather than a short, bumpy journey.

Warnings from negative cases

In stark contrast to these stories are the owners who are deeply mired in remorse:

• The regret of "I didn't do enough" : A pet owner shared on Reddit that her biggest regret wasn't not being able to take her dog to faraway places, but rather that she used to be "afraid" of walks after work and spent too much time on the computer, making her dog bored. She regretted not cherishing those "daily adventures".
• The regret of the "last day" : Another owner deeply regrets not spending an extra day to give her dog a "perfect last day" - including its favorite roast chicken and bones.
• The regret of "not being there" : Another owner is still tormented by "guilt and anger" because her dog suddenly passed away at home while she was on vacation.

Re-examining: The Real Answer

When we compare these two types of stories, a clear answer emerges:

The core of those touching, positive stories isn't about exoticism or new experiences, but about spending the dog's final moments together in a familiar and meaningful place, adapting to the dog's condition.

The heartbreaking regrets don't stem from not being able to travel the world, but from not cherishing and investing in everyday companionship.

Therefore, addressing the regret of "I didn't do enough" shouldn't be a high-risk, long journey—which could easily lead to crisis or remorse. The real solution is to transform the desire to create a "final adventure" into a carefully crafted, "local" or "at-home" wish list.

If you decide to travel: A "comfort-first" travel checklist

If, after completing a QoL assessment (scoring highly) and having in-depth discussions with your veterinarian, you still believe a short trip is feasible, then you must minimize the risks. The premise of this list is: comfort always takes precedence over destination.

Prerequisite 1: A "personality test" for the dog

The QoL scale isn't enough. A crucial variable that's often overlooked is a dog's innate personality. You must honestly answer: Does your dog naturally love to travel?

If a dog normally experiences travel anxiety, is sensitive to noise, or is afraid of new environments, then no matter how high its QoL score is, traveling with it will only be a torment. A naturally calm and adaptable dog is a completely different case from an anxious and routine-dependent dog.

Prerequisite 2: Travel method

Consider only car travel. A car offers the highest degree of control, familiar surroundings, the flexibility to stop and rest at any time, and space to carry all necessities. As mentioned earlier, air travel should be excluded.

"Comfort-Based" Packing List

• Veterinary Clearance :
  • Undergo a formal "Fit to Travel" medical checkup.
  • Discuss with your veterinarian the potential health risks of your destination (e.g., is the risk of ticks and heartworms higher if you travel to a country park?).
• Documentation Preparation :
  • Bring all your latest medical records, vaccination certificates, and health certificates (if required).
  • Keep your home veterinarian and emergency veterinarian contact information.
• Medications & First Aid :
  • Package all regular medications in extra doses.
  • Bring a copy of your medication prescription.
  • If medications require refrigeration (such as certain insulins or nutritional supplements), please prepare a high-quality insulated box and ice packs.
• Stress Management :
  • Practice in advance: Before the official departure, take several short practice trips.
  • Prescription medications: Discuss anti-anxiety medications (such as Trazodone, Gabapentin) or anti-nausea medications with your veterinarian in advance. Never use them for the first time on the day of your trip; a test should be conducted beforehand to observe the reaction.
  • Auxiliary products: Consider using pheromone sprays, soothing dental chews, or supplements.
• Safety & Comfort :
  • Use safe, high-quality car seats, seat belts, or transport cages.
  • Bring along their home-used bed, blankets, and favorite toys to create a sense of familiarity in the car and new environment.
• Emergency Response Plan :
  • Before you set off, search for and map all 24-hour emergency veterinary clinics along your route and at your destination. Make sure you know who to call late at night or on weekends.

Redefining the "Wish List": Local Adventures You Can Experience in Hong Kong

For most pet owners facing this dilemma, the safest and most loving option is often to forgo long-distance travel. For a terminally ill dog, comfort is the ultimate luxury.

This doesn't mean abandoning the "wish list." It means we need to redefine it, transforming it into an "At-Home Bucket List" or a "Staycation."

Traditional wish lists (such as long hikes or playing frisbee) are often unrealistic for pets who "can no longer walk well" or "have lost some of their senses." Here are some low-stress, high-fun "local adventure" proposals that perfectly address those regrets about "not doing enough":

A low-stress, high-fun local "wish list"

• Gourmet Delights :

  With a veterinarian's permission, offer a "forbidden" but safe meal. This could be a small piece of high-quality steak, a spoonful of unsweetened cheese, a "pup cup" for dogs, or a "snack party in bed." This directly addresses the owner's regret at not being able to give them "roast chicken."

• Sensory Adventures :

  Take a short, scenic drive, roll down the window, and let it feel the breeze and fresh scents.

  Drive to a quiet park (such as the Sai Kung Promenade or Tai Po Promenade on weekdays), open the trunk, let it sit safely in the car, and quietly smell the air.

• Ultimate Comfort & Pampering :

  A "Home Spa Day." Use gentle massage, paw balm, and calming aromatherapy (make sure it's safe for your pet).

  An undisturbed, long time of sofa cuddling.

• Quiet Socializing :

  Invite one of its favorite, calm human friends, or a familiar, gentle canine friend, to visit your home briefly and peacefully. Avoid crowds.

• Hong Kong "Staycation" :

  Instead of embarking on a long, stressful trip, consider booking a pet-friendly night in Hong Kong. Choose a quiet location (such as pet-friendly rentals or hotels in Sai Kung or South Lantau). This offers a fresh experience while minimizing risk.

These "local" and "at-home" activities are the "adventures" that owners cherish most in their memories. They allow owners to make the most of their precious time together while completely avoiding potential crises caused by traveling or the lifelong regret of not being there when your dog needs you most.

Our final advice is: Stay with it, but make every ordinary moment extraordinary.

Professional support in Hong Kong: palliative care and end-of-life care

In Hong Kong, pet owners are not alone in facing this challenging journey. The local veterinary palliative care and end-of-life services offer more practical and compassionate support than adventurous travel.

What is "veterinary palliative care" (Pawspice)?

Veterinary palliative care focuses not on cure, but on comfort. It is an interdisciplinary approach designed to improve a pet's overall quality of life in the final stages of life by managing pain, controlling symptoms such as nausea and anxiety, and providing nutritional and emotional support.

Hong Kong's local support network

• Specialized oncology services :

  Institutions like VSH Hong Kong Specialist Veterinary Hospital include advanced palliative care and pain management in their oncology services. This means your dog can receive the most precise pain management plan tailored to their condition.

• In-home (door-to-door) palliative care services :

  For many sick or elderly pets, the trip to the vet is a huge stressor. Mobile veterinary services like Homevet specialize in providing in-home palliative care, senior care, and pain management. The veterinarian comes to the dog's home, assesses their condition in a familiar environment, and develops a care plan, greatly reducing stress for the pet and burden for the owner.

• Palliative care in general hospitals :

  Many local veterinary hospitals, such as VEC (Veterinary Emergency Centre) and Victory Animal Hospital, also offer geriatric care, palliative care, and end-of-life care options.

A final act of tenderness: planning a "peaceful farewell".

An important component of palliative care is planning a "peaceful passing." This has led to discussions about "in-home euthanasia."

This is the way more and more owners in Hong Kong are choosing. It allows dogs to pass away peacefully and painlessly in their favorite place—perhaps their bed, the living room carpet, or the garden—in the arms of their family. It's a dignified and loving farewell, a stark contrast to the fear of facing a medical crisis in an unfamiliar hotel room or by a highway.

In fact, when pet owners ask, "Should I take my pet on a trip?", their underlying question is often, "How can I give it a 'good' ending to repay its lifetime of love?"

Hong Kong's well-established in-home palliative care services offer a solution to this problem. They shift the homeowner's focus from "Where else can we go?" to "How can we make this place more comfortable?"

Conclusion: Love is about companionship, not about constant travel.

As pet owners, the greatest and most selfless gift we can give a dog diagnosed with a terminal illness is not a plane ticket or a new scenic spot, but a final chapter free from pain and fear, filled with love.

Dogs' happiness is very pure: their happiest moments are when they are with the people they love.

Therefore, when you decide to forgo a stressful trip and instead provide it with ultimate comfort, delicious food, and undivided attention at home, you've made the decision to love it most. You're putting into practice the most important aspect of the QoL scale: ensuring that every day of it is a "good day."