2021 AAFP Feline Senior Care Guidelines.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Feline Geriatrics

Background:

• The 2021 AAFP Feline Senior Care Guidelines update and extend the 2009 recommendations.
• Expert Task Force in feline clinical medicine authored the guidelines.
• Emphasis on individualized patient evaluation and the aging process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide comprehensive, updated guidance for the care of senior cats.
• To empower owners by integrating them into their cat's care plan.
• To introduce and incorporate the concept of frailty into senior cat assessments.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive physical examination and history taking.
• Inclusion of video analysis and serial historical measurements.
• Discussion of minimum database diagnostics and additional investigative considerations.

Main Results:

• Introduction of frailty assessment methods for senior cats.
• Recommendations for increased diagnostic frequency with advancing age.
• Consideration of nutrition, pain management, anesthesia, and quality of life.

Conclusions:

• The guidelines promote a tailored approach to senior cat care, involving the owner.
• They address critical aspects of aging, including diagnostics, nutrition, pain, anesthesia, and end-of-life care.
• Focus on quality of life and owner-supported decision-making for senior feline health.