title: AAHA senior care guidelines for dogs and cats.
abstract: This paper provides a working framework for enhancing the well-being of senior pet dogs and cats. Approaches to screening the medical status of senior pets are described in detail, with particular emphasis on establishing baseline data in healthy animals, the testing of clinically ill animals, and assessing senior pets prior to anesthesia and surgery. The management of pain and distress and the application of hospice and palliative care are addressed. Advice on ways to approach euthanasia and dealing with end-of-life issues is also provided.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: Ned F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Kuehn
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Landsberg
authors.forename: B Duncan X
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Lascelles
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Jean M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schaedler
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tuzio
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019468:Disease Management; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D005260:Female; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life