Assessment of companion animal quality of life in veterinary practice and research.

OBJECTIVES: Quality-of-life (QOL) assessment is a novel field in veterinary medicine. It shares similarities with the more established fields of human QOL assessment and animal welfare science and could prove similarly useful.

METHODS: This paper draws on existing literature on human QOL assessment, animal welfare, philosophy and animal QOL assessment.

RESULTS: It provides practical recommendations for QOL assessment in veterinary practice and in veterinary research on what should be assessed, how it should be assessed and who should assess it.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These should assist veterinarians intending to develop their use QOL assessment.