Table 1.2.2 Approximation for converting “cat” years to relative human years and applicable life stages. Life stages are based on AAFP‐AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines
| Age of Cat | Life Stage | Relative Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | Kitten | 4 |
| 6 months | Kitten | 10 |
| 9 months | Junior | 12 |
| 12 months | Junior | 15 |
| 18 months | Junior | 21 |
| 2 years | Junior | 24 |
| 3 years | Prime | 28 |
| 4 years | Prime | 32 |
| 5 years | Prime | 36 |
| 6 years | Prime | 40 |
| 7 years | Mature | 44 |
| 8 years | Mature | 48 |
| 9 years | Mature | 52 |
| 10 years | Mature | 56 |
| 11 years | Senior | 60 |
| 12 years | Senior | 64 |
| 13 years | Senior | 68 |
| 14 years | Senior | 72 |
| 15 years | Geriatric | 76 |
| 16 years | Geriatric | 80 |
| 17 years | Geriatric | 84 |
| 18 years | Geriatric | 88 |
| 19 years | Geriatric | 92 |
| 20 years | Geriatric | 96 |
| 21 years | Geriatric | 100 |
| 22 years | Geriatric | 104 |
| 23 years | Geriatric | 108 |
| 24 years | Geriatric | 112 |
Mrs Stewart presented Brodie, an 8‐week‐old Border collie, for examination. Brodie had an uneventful physical examination, but given his breed and family history, a few recommendations were made.
Mrs Stewart was surprised to learn that Border collies were at increased risk for hip dysplasia, as she had mistakenly assumed it was only a large‐dog disease. Brodie's parents had not been screened for hip dysplasia, so any family history was uncertain. A recommendation was made to do a preliminary assessment of hip laxity at 6 months of age during neutering surgery, and then a more complete radiographic evaluation at 2 years of age.
A sample was also collected to submit for genetic testing. The single panel was capable of screening Brodie for a variety of disorders, including black‐haired follicular dysplasia, cobalamin (vitamin B12) malabsorption, collie eye anomaly, degenerative myelopathy, malignant hyperthermia, hereditary myotonia, ivermectin sensitivity (mdr1 mutation), neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, primary lens luxation, trapped neutrophil syndrome, and others. The staff discussed other phenotypic testing that would be done in the future, and provided a link to the website where Brodie's personalized pet profile would be created.
The staff also discussed pet health insurance options with Mrs Stewart, and reiterated that it would be important to select a policy in the very near future if she wanted to ensure that there would be no preexisting problems that could be excluded from coverage.
Client engagement is heightened when the client plays an active role in their pet's health, and is committed to the prospect of keeping their pet healthy.
By examining risk factors for specific pets, it is possible to plan for a lifetime of care on the basis of their specific risk factors.
Genotypic screening (DNA testing) is typically done early, often around 12 weeks of age, and phenotypic testing is then conducted throughout the pet’s lifetime according to a sensible schedule.
Health is a dynamic process, so
