Wallis, LJ 
ORCID: 0000-0003-3931-3250, Radford, AD ORCID: 0000-0002-4590-1334, Belshaw, Z, Jackson, J, Kubinyi, E, German, AJ ORCID: 0000-0002-3017-7988 and Westgarth, C ORCID: 0000-0003-0471-2761
(2023)
"Just old age" - a qualitative investigation of owner and veterinary professional experiences of and attitudes to ageing in dogs in the UK.
The Journal of small animal practice, 64 (7).
pp. 425-433.
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Abstract
<h4>Objectives</h4>Many UK dogs live into old age, but owners may not recognise or report age-associated signs of disease which lead to negative welfare. This study investigated dog owner and veterinary professional experiences and attitudes towards ageing in dogs, how health care is offered, barriers to its delivery, and some best-practice solutions.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 owners of 21 dogs (aged 8 to 17 years mean: 13) and 11 veterinary professional (eight veterinary surgeons, two nurses and one physiotherapist). Open-text responses from 61 dog owner were collected using an online survey. Transcripts and survey responses were inductively coded into themes.<h4>Results</h4>Four themes were constructed: "just old age", barriers to care, trust in veterinary surgeons, and tools to improve health care. Age-related changes were mostly perceived as "just old age" by dog owner. Many dogs were no longer vaccinated and did not attend check-ups unless owners identified a problem. The greatest barriers to health care were finances (dog owner), owner awareness, willingness to act and consultation time (veterinary professional). Trust in veterinary professional was more likely when dog owner experienced continuity, prioritisation of care, clear communication and an accessible, knowledgeable and empathic veterinary professional. Participants suggested that senior health care and communication between dog owner and veterinary professional could be improved through questionnaires, and evidence-based online information.<h4>Clinical significance</h4>Opportunities to educate owners on which clinical signs represent healthy or pathological ageing are being missed. Resources should be developed to guide on best-practice discussions in consultations, encourage more owners to recognise clinical signs and to seek and trust veterinary advice.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Animals, Dogs, Humans, Dog Diseases, Attitude, Aging, Ownership, Veterinarians, Surveys and Questionnaires, United Kingdom |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Apr 2023 09:12 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Jul 2023 01:05 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jsap.13610 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3169527 |
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