Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Development of new canine and feline preventive healthcare guidelines designed to improve pet health.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2011
Plain-English summary
The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association have created new guidelines for preventive healthcare for dogs and cats. These guidelines aim to help veterinarians provide better care by highlighting the importance of regular check-ups. They suggest that pets should have health examinations at least once a year, but some may need to visit more often based on their specific needs. The guidelines also include detailed plans for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and follow-up care, all presented in a simple format for easy use. Overall, these new guidelines are intended to improve the health and well-being of pets through consistent and thorough care.
Abstract
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have jointly introduced the first Canine and Feline Preventive Healthcare Guidelines. These consensus statements provide veterinarians with a new resource for improving patient care by emphasizing the value and scope of regular pet examinations. The two guidelines provide complete recommendations for comprehensive preventive healthcare programs, published as accessible, single-page documents. The guidelines are based on the subjective-objective-assessment-plan (SOAP) methodology of case management, a proven approach traditionally used with sick or injured patients. This logical and disciplined process is equally applicable to healthy patients and is designed to consistently deliver optimal patient care. The guidelines recommend visits for health examinations on at least an annual basis, recognizing that for many pets, more frequent visits may be appropriate, depending on the individual needs of the patient. The guidelines also provide detailed diagnostic, therapeutic, prevention, and follow up plans, to be accompanied by appropriate documentation. The inclusive content and concise format of the guidelines are designed to maximize their practical value and make them easy to implement.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21896837/