Episode 55 - End-of-Life Care and OA - A Compassionate Approach - Dr. Tyler Carmack

In this episode of Canine Arthritis Matters, Dr. Hannah Capon speaks with Dr. Tyler Carmack, Director of Hospice and Palliative Care at Caring Pathways. Dr. Carmack shares her journey from emergency medicine into dedicating her career to hospice and palliative care for companion animals. Together, they explore how end-of-life care can be approached with compassion, planning, and innovation, particularly in cases of chronic pain and osteoarthritis. From emergency kits to integrative therapies and caregiver communication, this conversation sheds light on an area of veterinary medicine that remains under-discussed but deeply impactful.

Guest Bio

Dr. Tyler Carmack is the Director of Hospice and Palliative Care for Caring Pathways. She founded Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice in 2011 and has practiced exclusively in hospice and palliative care for over a decade. Dr. Carmack has served on the board of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) since 2016 and lectures internationally on end-of-life care. She holds certifications in animal hospice, palliative care, veterinary acupuncture, Chinese food therapy, traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, and end-of-life care. Her professional passions include pain management and caregiver support during the most difficult stages of a pet’s life.

Key Takeaways

1. Hospice and palliative care are distinct yet complementary approaches—palliative can begin early in life to support comfort, while hospice typically refers to the final stages.

2. Emergency medication kits provide families with peace of mind and help manage crises until veterinary support is available.

3. Tools like quality-of-life and frailty scales can empower caregivers and improve communication with veterinary teams.

4. Simple lifestyle adjustments—traction mats, ramps, and planned mobility support—can dramatically improve quality of life in older or frail pets.

5. End-of-life care requires not only medical expertise but also time, compassion, and proactive planning for both pets and their families.

Relevant links

If you want to deepen your understanding of hospice and palliative care, explore resources at:

Caring Pathways – https://charlotte.caringpathways.com/meet-our-team/dr-tyler-carmack-director-of-hospice-and-palliative-care/

International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) – https://iaahpc.org/

For veterinary professionals, further tools and handouts are available in our CAM Member Zone:

https://www.caninearthritis.co.uk/member-zone/

Learn more about CAM:

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: [e-mail]

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.