You Should Download This Free Toolbox If You Have a Sick or Old Cat.
As humans, most of us find it uncomfortable to talk (or even think) about death, be it our own, or the loss of loved ones, including pets. And while people never want to think about what’s going on with their pets, this is one of the inevitable aspects of having a furry companion. Even though it may seem to you that you know what you are going to do with your pet at the end of life, in reality it is completely different.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recently released a free digital toolkit to help veterinarians make better end-of-life decisions for cats. But you don’t need to be a veterinarian to use it: most of the information it contains will be useful to anyone with a cat. Here’s what’s available and how to download it.
What’s in the Cat Disposal Toolkit?
While some parts of the end-of-life feline toolkit are specifically designed for veterinarians – for example, to take certain medications to make the cat more comfortable – it may be useful for people with cats who want to learn more about the process. (Which by no means includes all of us.)
However, the section on assessing a cat’s quality of life and making tough decisions can be helpful for people with pets in general. This includes access to a downloadable question sheet to help you assess your pet’s quality of life and help determine your next steps.
As horrible as it is to think of these scenarios, according to the AAFP , “Without this preparation, the emotional connection can be so strong and the immediate situation so confusing that the caregiver may not be able to clearly think about what is best. for your beloved cat. “
How to download the toolkit
Users can download the entire toolkit here or choose from the topics that are most relevant to them, including decision making , preparation for the procedure and final agreements . There is also a section containing additional literature and resources to assist you in this process.