Evaluating graduating veterinary students' perception of preparedness in clinical veterinary behavior for “Day-1” of practice and the factors which influence that perception: A questionnaire-based survey

Calder, Christine D.; Albright, Julia D.; Koch, Colleen S.

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2017.05.001

Cited by 20 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Collectively, the results of this cross-sectional analysis suggest the need for better education of cat owners. Despite the efforts of many animal sheltering and welfare organizations, veterinarians and behaviorists, it can be challenging for pet owners to obtain consistent, accurate, evidence-based information about responding to pet behavioral needs and problems, as has been discussed elsewhere [33,39,40]. Veterinarians seeking up-to-date information to share with their clients can refer to documents such as the 2013 AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines [17] and the 2015 AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines [41].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Owners’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Care Practices: Exploring the Implications for Domestic Cat Behavior and Welfare in the Home

Grigg

Kogan

2019

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Simple SummaryAvailable research on the link between domestic cats’ environment and welfare has primarily been conducted on cats living in animal shelters or research facilities; a better understanding of the welfare of cats living in homes is needed. We used an anonymous online survey to investigate the attitudes of current U.S.-based cat owners towards cats as pets; owner knowledge about normal cat behavior and environmental needs; current trends in cat care; behavior problems reported for these cats; and the human-animal bond. We found that owners with a more accurate understanding of cat behavior, and stronger reported bond with their cats, reported fewer behavior problems. Conversely, owners’ agreement with certain misconceptions about cats, and high perceived costs of care, were correlated with the use of punishment (e.g., yelling, hitting, or spraying with water) in response to misbehavior. Our results suggest that many cats living in private homes may be receiving only minimal environmental enrichment, particularly in the case of interactive (e.g., playing with a friendly human, or exploring changing environments) vs. static (e.g., cat toys such as stuffed mice) enrichment. Collectively, these results support the premise that better education of cat owners could benefit the welfare of cats living in private homes.AbstractAvailable research on the link between domestic cats’ environment and welfare has primarily been conducted in animal shelters or research facilities; a better understanding of the welfare of cats living in homes is needed. This study measured the attitudes of current U.S.-based cat owners towards cats as pets; owner knowledge about normal cat behavior and environmental needs; current trends in cat care; cats’ behavior in the home; and the human-animal bond. The primary hypothesis was that owners with a more accurate understanding of cat behavior and a stronger reported bond with their cats would report fewer behavior problems. Data from an online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey of 547 cat owners supported the primary hypothesis: owner knowledge, along with two measures of the human-animal bond (owner-pet interactions, and perceptions of affordability of cat ownership), were significant predictors of the number of reported behavior problems. In addition to fewer reported behavior problems, greater owner knowledge about cats was correlated with less use of positive-punishment-based responses to misbehavior, and increased tolerance of potential behavior problems when present. Owners’ agreement with certain misconceptions about cats and perception of high costs of care were correlated with the use of positive punishment in response to misbehavior. Based on the survey results, many cats living in private homes may be receiving only minimal environmental enrichment. Collectively, these results suggest the need for better education of cat owners. Topics could include: understanding normal cat behavior and correcting misconceptions; enrichment needs (particularly of indoor-only cats) and the ri...

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Owners’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Care Practices: Exploring the Implications for Domestic Cat Behavior and Welfare in the Home

Grigg

Kogan

2019

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This gap in services may be partially explained by the minimal training many veterinary students receive in preventing, diagnosing and treating behavior problems, resulting in a lack of confidence in practicing behavior medicine and, in turn, a lack of behavioral services being offered by many veterinary practices. [19][20][21][22] Studies have shown that many owners of companion animals rely on sources other than veterinarians for behavioral advice for their pets, 5 and the quality of the advice they receive is likely highly variable, as has been shown for dogs. 23 The risks of untreated behavior problems in companion animals (relinquishment or euthanasia of the pet, damage to the human-animal bond, safety risk to the human household) have been noted elsewhere.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cat owners’ perceptions of psychoactive medications, supplements and pheromones for the treatment of feline behavior problems

Grigg

Kogan

Haaften³

et al. 2018

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives This study assessed cat owners’ perceptions of the use of psychoactive medications and alternative products for the treatment of behavioral problems in their cats. Factors that potentially impact these perceptions were explored and discussed. Methods An online, anonymous, cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess US-based cat owners’ experiences with behavior problems of their cats, familiarity with psychoactive medications for treatment of behavior problems and comfort levels using the following products for treatment of feline behavior problems: fast-acting or situational prescription medications, slow-acting or long-term prescription medications, herbal/nutritional supplements, pheromone products and cannabinoid products. Results Many respondents reported that their cats had behavioral problems, but few had ever sought behavioral help for their cats. Only half were aware of the availability of psychoactive medications for cat behavior problems. Respondents who had personally used a prescription psychoactive medication in the past were more comfortable with giving fast- and slow-acting prescription medications, pheromone products and cannabinoids to their cats than respondents who had never used a prescription psychoactive medication. No difference in comfort level was seen for herbal/nutritional supplements. Overall, owners tended to be more comfortable with the situational vs long-term medications. Conclusions and relevance Given the prevalence of feline behavior problems reported in this study, the lack of awareness of either the availability or potential benefits of psychoactive medications for the treatment of feline behavior problems, and the fact that very few owners had ever sought help for behavior problems with their cats, are concerning. These results suggest a missed opportunity for veterinarians to help clients identify, understand and treat feline behavior problems. Many owners appear open to these treatment options for their cats; it is suggested that, when warranted, educating cat owners about the potential benefits and risks of these medications would be of value.

show abstract

“…22 Factors such as time constraints of a standard consultation may be a reason why vets were unable to provide the support the owner expected in our study, as has been reported in other areas of veterinary medicine. 23 Behavioural knowledge may be a further limiting factor, previous studies have found some vets feel that their undergraduate education did not sufficiently cover behaviour to meet the standards expected of them, 16,22,24,25 supporting the need for veterinary students to have opportunities for education in animal behaviour. 22 Participants were from a convenience sample, which may have led to owners of more anxious epileptic dogs responding; however, owners do not always recognise subtle signs of stress in their dog, 26 and consequently there may have been under-reporting of IIA in this study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Owner reported management of interictal anxiety behaviours in canine epilepsy

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is the most common chronic neurological condition in dogs, and can be associated with interictal (between seizure) anxiety (IIA). It is unclear how owners manage their pet's IIA, including how much veterinary support they receive for it. Methods An international online questionnaire collected data on IIA prevalence, management of IIA and perceived levels of veterinary support for IIA from owners of dogs diagnosed with IE. Results Valid responses were available from n = 220 owners. IIA was reported by 83.6% of owners. Common management strategies were behavioural or training techniques, reported by 90.4% of owners, whilst 34.4% reported use of behavioural products. Only 28.5% of owners felt fully supported by their vet in managing IIA. Owners who felt unsupported were less likely to have received advice on behavioural management or training from their vet (p = 0.003). Conclusion Access to veterinary support for the management of IIA is needed for owners of dogs with IE.

show abstract

Evaluating graduating veterinary students' perception of preparedness in clinical veterinary behavior for “Day-1” of practice and the factors which influence that perception: A questionnaire-based survey

Cited by 20 publications

References 13 publications

Owners’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Care Practices: Exploring the Implications for Domestic Cat Behavior and Welfare in the Home

Owners’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Care Practices: Exploring the Implications for Domestic Cat Behavior and Welfare in the Home

Cat owners’ perceptions of psychoactive medications, supplements and pheromones for the treatment of feline behavior problems

Owner reported management of interictal anxiety behaviours in canine epilepsy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About