Provide Resources for Client and Staff Support

Create a document with hyperlinks to the webpages of veterinary associations that provide handouts, infographics, or YouTube demonstration videos. This ensures you know what information the client is receiving and avoids the misinformation clients obtain from “Dr. Google.” I have curated a list to help you get started: https://catvets.com/ https://www.greymuzzle.org/

• American Association of Feline Practitioners: There is a section with videos showing the Cat Friendly Practice experience, brochures, and an infographics tab.

• The Grey Muzzle Organization: a not for profit organization focused on senior pet wellness, welfare, and quality of life with many veterinarians on the board for oversight. The resources tab is full of articles on enrichment, wellness, nutrition, and end of life care.

• The Indoor Pet Initiative (formerly Indoor Cat Initiative): Established and managed by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary medicine, this website provides multiple articles, handouts and other resources for home enrichment, behavior management and prevention of health problems by meeting the behavioral and health needs of day-to-day life in a home. (Feline section: https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats; Canine section: https://indoorpet.osu.edu/dogs)

Resources and References

1. AAHA Senior Care Guidelines AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats FAQs

2. Quality of Life Scale and Family Concerns Handout https://www.lapoflove.com/how-will-i-know-it-is-time/ lap-of-love-quality-of-life-scale.pdf

3. Pain Scale Infographics from Colorado State University CVM https:// vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/services/anesthesia/animal-pain-scales/

4. Management of Dogs and Cats with Cognitive Dysfunction https:// todaysveterinarypractice.com/neurology/management-of-dogs-and-catswith-cognitive-dysfunction/

5. Nutrition for aging dogs and cats and the importance of body condition https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15833567/

6. Successful and Unsuccessful Brain Aging in Pets: Pathophysiological Mechanisms behind Clinical Signs and Potential Benefits from Palmitoylethanolamide Nutritional Intervention https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pmc/articles/PMC8470385/

7. Cognitive Dysfunction – Feline https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departmentscenters-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/ feline-health-topics/cognitive-dysfunction

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior: This website includes blog articles, a directory for veterinary behavior consultants (some who offer telehealth consultations), and a position statement for Low-Stress Veterinary Care that are available to all. Any DVM can become a member. https://avsab.org/. The Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians is open to all technicians, nurses, and veterinary assistants: https://svbt.org/

Additional resources include the veterinary dental, pain management, and hospice care association websites.

• My website (https://www.drsallyjfoote.com/) has many handouts, articles, and videos pulling these resources together for you to use as well. Two downloadable handouts on senior pet behavior are available for you to use on your website and social media pages.

• Top 10 Canine Behavior Problems and what to do: https://www.drsallyjfoote.com/wp-content/ uploads/2023/01/Top-10-Senior-Dog-Behavior-problemsand-what-to-do.pdf

• Top 10 Feline Behavior Problems and What to do https://www.drsallyjfoote.com/wp-content/ uploads/2023/01/Top-10-signs-of-Senior-Cat-Behaviorproblems.pdf