Conclusion
A strong, clear recommendation must always begin with the veterinarian and be followed up by the entire veterinary team. Incorporate individualized life stage guidelines into reminder and callback systems.48 Strong, unified follow-up recommendations from the multiple members of the entire veterinary team will produce better compliance. Discuss future life stage recommendations beginning with the first visit to help set client expectations. Make it easy for the client to comply (e.g., consider types of or timing of preventive medications), advise clients of the risks and benefits, and provide encouragement in carrying out the patient’s wellness care needs.
Discuss healthcare financial planning to help pet owners prepare for the costs associated with optimal healthcare. Discuss wellness plans, including the pros and cons of insurance and/or other forms of healthcare financial planning to help pet owners comply with an optimal wellness plan. Staging of procedures, multiple visits, and various payment options may help increase compliance and ensure that patients receive as many of the wellness recommendations as possible.
TABLE 4
Useful resources for providing individualized patient care at all life stages
| Website | Information on Website |
| American Veterinary Dental College | Dental information for veterinarians and pet owners |
| American Animal Hospital Association |
Anesthesia guidelines; Dental care guidelines; Nutritional assessment guidelines; Pain management guidelines; Senior care guidelines; Vaccination guidelines; Position on frequency of veterinary visits; and other animal welfare issues. |
| American Association of Feline Practitioners | Feline life stage guidelines (and many other guidelines for cats) |
| American College of Veterinary Nutrition | List of board-certified veterinary specialists in nutrition who can provide nutritional consultation |
| American Heartworm Society | Prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of heartworm disease |
| American Veterinary Medical Association | Position statements (microchip, dog bite prevention, animal welfare, travel with animals); and recalls and alerts issued regarding pet and animal feeds |
| American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior | Position statements (e.g., on puppy socialization) |
| Canine Inherited Disorders Database | Disorders by breed/inheritance |
| CDC | Guidelines for veterinarians: prevention of zoonotic transmission of ascarids and hookworms of dogs and cats; and information about ecto and endo-parasites |
| CAPC | Internal parasite guidelines |
| FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition | Regulatory and safety issues, adverse event reporting, meetings, industry information |
| FDA Pet Food Site | Information, links, food safety issues, recalls, pet food labels, selecting nutritious foods, handling raw foods |
| University of Cambridge | Inherited diseases in dogs database |