Background: Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) is becoming increasingly popular in horses. Methods: Online, cross-sectional survey in 1532 horse owners. Attitude towards CAVM, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intention for future CAVM use were measured based on the theory of planned behaviour. Structural equation modelling was performed to characterize factors influencing intention to use CAVM. Results: Past use of CAVM, predominantly manual therapies and herbal supplements, was reported by 72.5% of all participants. Frequently reported indications were improving horse's well-being, illness which did not resolve after conventional treatment and chronic illness. The attitude towards CAVM was positive with a median (interquartile range) score of 6 of 7 (4.75-7.00). Predictors for past CAVM use were higher owner age, alternative medicine self-use and higher education (non-university). The strongest predictor of future CAVM usage was perceived behavioural control and perceived CAVM efficacy, as well as positive attitude towards and perceived knowledge about CAVM. The veterinarian was reported as a source of information about CAVM by 86.4% of all participants. Conclusions: Horse owners showed a high intention to use CAVM with the owners' perceived behavioural control and perceived CAVM efficacy as the strongest predictor. Veterinarian-client communication is important to inform horse owners correctly.
Background: Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) seems to be gaining acceptance by pet owners. Client-veterinarian communication about CAVM is important to explore client perceptions and facilitate open exchange of ideas between owners and veterinarians. Methods: This study includes an online, cross-sectional survey of dog owners to evaluate CAVM use and client-veterinarian communication about CAVM. Based on the extended theory of planned behaviour, factors influencing the intention to use CAVM were evaluated. Results: Past CAVM use was reported by 45.3% clients based on 1000 valid surveys. The attitude towards CAVM was generally positive. Perceived knowledge about CAVM positively predicted perceived behavioural control and attitude towards CAVM. Both were the strongest predictors of future CAVM use. Around 45.7% of clients had already talked to their veterinarian about CAVM. This conversation was mainly initiated by the owner (66.3%). Owners expected the veterinarian to have knowledge about CAVM (91.5%) and offer referral (71.5%). Limitations: The limitation is difficulty in classifying and defining CAVM modalities. Conclusions: Owners' perceived behavioural control and attitude towards CAVM predict CAVM use. Failure to engage in a conversation about CAVM hampers clients to partner with veterinarians to discuss the treatment approach and maximise patient outcome. The veterinarian plays an essential role in providing objective accurate information about CAVM.
Left dorsal displacement of the large colon is a common cause of colic in horses. Treatment consists of surgery, rolling the horse under general anesthesia or intravenous administration of phenylephrine. Treatment with phenylephrine, an α1-adrenergic drug, is often associated with sweating and trembling. Especially in horses of more than 15 years old, fatal hemorrhage may occur due to hemothorax or hemoperitoneum. Therefore, phenylephrine treatment is generally not given in horses over 15 years of age. In this report, severe epistaxis in a six-year-old Quarter horse is described after intravenous administration of 22.5 μg/kg BW phenylephrine, and it is highlighted that hemorrhage may also occur in younger horses.
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