Journal watch21 April 2021
Author(s): J. Quimby, S. Gowland, H.C Carney, T. DePorter, P. Plummer and J. Westropp
Published in: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
Date: February 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X21993657
Type of access: Free access
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Our summary
Quimby, J. et al (2021) 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 23 (3) pp 211-233.
The aim of these guidelines, produced jointly by a task force of experts from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), is to provide a comprehensive age-associated framework for promoting health and longevity throughout a cat’s lifetime. Specific objectives were to 1) define distinct feline life stages consistent with how cat owners perceive their cat’s maturation and ageing process, and 2) provide a readily understood basis for an individualised lifelong healthcare strategy for each feline patient at every life stage.
The guidelines update the 2010 AAFP-AAHA: Feline Life Stage Guidelines with the important distinction that they reduce the number of feline life stages, from six to four distinct age-related stages plus an end-of-life stage. These four stages are kitten stage, from birth up to one year; young adult, from 1-6 years; mature adult, from 7-10 years; and senior, aged over ten years. The fifth, end‑of‑life stage can occur at any age. The authors argue that this five‑stage grouping will make it easier to implement clinical protocols and will simplify discussions between veterinary professionals and cat owners.
Recommended items to perform or discuss at each lifestyle stage are summarised in an easy-to-use table and include:
- General discussion items
- Medical history
- Examination focus
- Nutrition and weight management
- Behaviour and environment
- Elimination
- Oral health
- Parasite control
- Vaccination
Where the Task Force felt it would be useful, the accompanying text provides further explanation to that contained in the table and offers recommendations, guided by the evidence, on the eight aspects of feline medicine: behaviour and environmental needs; elimination; nutrition and weight management; oral health; parasite control; vaccination; zoonoses and human safety; and diagnostics.
One additional topic that is emphasised throughout the guidelines is the importance of feline-friendly handling techniques.
Limitations of the study include the lack of clarity on the methodology and evidence grading used in developing these guidelines.
Take home
These guidelines provide all members of the practice team with a valuable framework for managing a cat’s healthcare throughout its lifetime, based on the published literature and expert opinion. They will provide a good basis on which to produce local practice guidelines.
If you are interested in the end-of-life stage then you will find the following resources useful:
Bishop, G. et al (2016) 2016 AAHA/IAAHPC End‑of‑Life Care Guidelines. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 52 (6), pp. 341-356. https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6637
2021 AAFP End of Life Online Educational Toolkit
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