Quality of life assessment in pet cats and dogs using the five welfare needs

Abstract

OBJECTIVESA novel practice-based scheme monitors quality of life (QOL) in pets by assessing the five welfare needs using a 'traffic light' system and identifying improvement actions that owners can implement. The change in QOL of cats and dogs between first and second assessment consultations was analysed. METHODSData from assessment consultations for cats and dogs were collected at 51 PDSA Pet Hospitals. All animals had a first consult (PW1) and some had a second (PW2). Data included the score (red, amber or green) for each of the welfare needs categories -environment, diet, behaviour, companionship and health. Improvement actions advised during the consultation were also recorded. The frequency of each score per category was calculated for all PW1 and PW2. Scores from individuals with both PW1 and PW2 were translated into a positive, neutral or negative change in QOL. A proportion of improvement actions was analysed. RESULTSData from PW1 consultations with 42647 cats and 14315 dogs were available. PW2 was recorded for 8% of cats and 9% of dogs. Overall, a higher frequency of green scores and a lower frequency of red and amber scores was reported at PW2 compared to PW1. For individuals with both consultations, 53% of cats and 40% of dogs had a positive overall change. The category with most improvement actions suggested across PW1 and PW2 was 'health'. STATEMENT (CONCLUSIONS)QOL indicators improved between the two assessment consultations for both species. This information can assist in promoting the scheme to veterinary practices and owners. METHODSDuring August 2016, veterinary surgeons in small animal general practice in the United Kingdom and owners whose dog(s) and/or cat(s) had attended a preventative healthcare consultation during the previous 3 months were recruited. Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were conducted to explore experiences of, and attitudes towards, preventative healthcare consultations. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed to identify key themes. This abstract reports the theme: 'Expectations of vaccination consultation content'. RESULTSTwenty-nine interviews were conducted with 14 veterinary surgeons and 15 owners. Primary vaccination course consultations were described to have a relatively consistent structure which met owner expectations. In contrast, perspectives on what should be included in adult pet vaccination consultations ranged widely amongst both owners and veterinary surgeons. All veterinary surgeons and several owners described tensions that had occurred during these consultations. Time pressures, mismatched expectations and unexpected findings on clinical examination appeared to be important, and potentially modifiable, sources of owner-veterinary surgeon friction. STATEMENT (CONCLUSIONS)This research identifies mismatched expectations of what should happen during vaccination consultations. We recommend that the focus and content of adult dog and cat vaccination consultations be urgently reviewed to ensure they meet the needs and...

Driving evidence‐based improvements for the UK's ‘Stressed. Lonely. Overweight. Bored. Aggressive. Misunderstood…but loved’ companion animals

“…104,312 MOTs were conducted in PDSA hospitals between 2014 and 2017. Overall, a higher frequency of green scores and a lower frequency of red and amber scores was reported at a follow‐up MOT compared to a first MOT 50 . PDSA now offers training in PetWise MOTs for all veterinary professionals and the framework has been taken up by other animal welfare charities 51…”

“…By committing to the Report over nearly 10 years and prioritising it within PDSA's long-term strategy, it has become established and respected within the veterinary professions and broader companion animal welfare sector, driving advocacy such as joint campaigns, novel veterinary consultation frameworks and credible funded interventions. The Report and linked outputs, including analysis and dissemination through university collaborations 50 , provide a good example of how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can use data to set a proactive, collaborative agenda towards their aims and Vision, leaving them less vulnerable to more reactive, short-term demands.…”

Advancing animal welfare and ethics in veterinary practice through a national pet wellbeing task force, practice‐based champions and clinical audit

“…This has served to embed MOTs as part of core practice across the charity. In a partnership with the University of Bristol, Roberts18 found that overall, a higher frequency of green scores and a lower frequency of red and amber scores was reported at a follow‐up MOT compared with a first MOT. PDSA's formalised approach to using the Five Welfare Needs to provide information to pet owners on improving the welfare of their pets, through PetWise MOTs, has been selected as a good practice example within the WSAVA Animal Welfare Guidelines for Companion Animal Practitioners and Veterinary Teams 19.…”