The American Association of Feline Practitioners has released a new version of its Senior Care Guidelines, available on the AAFP Web site at www.catvets.com.

The AAFP dedicated the publication to the late Dr. James R. Richards, co-author of the original guidelines in 1998. Two of Dr. Richard's favorite sayings were: "Cats are masters at hiding illness" and "Age is not a disease." The guidelines focus on recognition and treatment of the problems that cats develop with age.

The second edition of the Senior Care Guidelines includes recommendations for senior cats' wellness visits, nutrition and weight management, dental care, anesthesia, disease monitoring and management, and quality of life. The publication covers common conditions of senior cats such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, and cognitive disorders.

Drs. Jeanne M. Pittari and Ilona Rodan were the co-chairs of the panel that updated the guidelines. Sponsors of the publication are Nestlé Purina, Merial, Idexx Laboratories, Nutramax Laboratories, and Abbott Laboratories.