title: American association of feline practitioners. Senior care guidelines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cats are the most popular pet in the United States and much of Northern Europe. Although 78% of owners consider their cats to be family members, many cats, particularly seniors, do not receive appropriate preventive care. One of the main obstacles to owner compliance is the lack of a clear recommendation by the veterinary team. Guidelines can help veterinarians to minimize this obstacle, strengthen the human-pet-veterinary bond, and improve the quality of life of cats.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goals of this article are to assist veterinarians to: Deliver consistent high-quality care to senior cats. Promote longevity and improve the quality of life of senior cats by: recognizing and controlling health risk factors; facilitating and promoting early detection of disease; improving or maintaining residual organ function; and delaying the progression of common conditions. Define aspects of screening, diagnosis, treatment and anesthesia of senior cats.
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pittari
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rodan
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beekman
authors.forename: Danièlle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gunn-Moore
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Polzin
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taboada
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tuzio
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zoran
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002415:Cats; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014481:United States; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*