From: Evaluation of dog owners' perceptions concerning radiation therapy
Question | Category | Number | % |
---|---|---|---|
1) Opinions on the dog and family members related to radiation treatment (RT). | |||
How did I learn about RT as an available treatment option for my dog | Advice of my primary vet | 20 | 87 |
Second opinion of another veterinarian | 2 | 9 | |
Trough media/internet | 1 | 4 | |
I had previous knowledge about RT in humans | Yes | 9 | 39 |
No | 14 | 61 | |
How did I decide to use RT for my dog? | My own decision | 6 | 26 |
Consensus of family members in favor | 17 | 74 | |
Family disagreed | 0 | 0 | |
My dog had veterinary care insurance that covered most of the cost for RT | Yes | 9 | 39 |
No | 14 | 61 | |
2a) Describe your impression of the well-being of your dog during the weeks while RT was performed | |||
My dog appeared well during the time of treatment | Yes, very well | 15 | 65 |
Yes, fairly well | 8 | 35 | |
Did not appear well | 0 | 0 | |
My dog found it unpleasant to visit the hospital | Yes | 3 | 13 |
Yes a little | 11 | 48 | |
No | 9 | 39 | |
My dog appeared tired during the treatment | Yes | 5 | 22 |
Yes a little | 6 | 26 | |
Not tired | 12 | 52 | |
Did I notice a change in the dog's quality of life? | No Impact | 19 | 83 |
Positive impact | 3 | 13 | |
Negative impact | 1 | 4 | |
2b) Describe what happened during the 4 weeks following completion of RT. (This is when acute skin and/or mucosal effects occur and heal). | |||
My dog appeared well during these weeks | Yes, very well | 14 | 61 |
Yes, well | 6 | 26 | |
No, not well | 3 | 13 | |
My dog experienced discomfort in the radiation field | Yes severe | 5 | 22 |
Yes, minor | 10 | 44 | |
No discomfort seen | 8 | 35 | |
My dog was in pain during these Weeks | Yes, severe | 3 | 13 |
Yes, modest | 6 | 26 | |
No | 14 | 61 | |
My dog experienced side effects | Yes, severe | 5 | 22 |
Yes, minor | 10 | 44 | |
No | 8 | 35 | |
During post treatment, did the quality of life of the dog seem different? | No impact | 15 | 65 |
Positive impact | 5 | 22 | |
Negative impact | 3 | 13 | |
b Responses to owner questionnaire, categorical answers. | |||
Question | Category | Number | % |
3) Describe your own perception or personal experience from when your dog had RT: | |||
I believe that RT cured my dog's cancer | Yes | 9 | 39 |
No | 11 | 48 | |
Can't decide | 2 | 9 | |
I believe that RT does prolong life until tumour related discomfort occur | Yes | 21 | 91 |
No | 2 | 9 | |
My dog's clinical signs disappeared because of RT: (limited to 14 dogs with gross disease) | Yes, completely (n = 14) | 5 | 36 |
Yes, in part (n = 14) | 4 | 29 | |
No (n = 14) | 5 | 36 | |
NAa (subclinical disease) (n = 23) | 9 | 39 | |
I believe I was adequately informed about the RT before starting RT | Yes | 22 | 96 |
No | 1 | 4 | |
The information was consistent with the outcome for the dog | Yes | 21 | 91 |
No | 2 | 9 | |
The information agreed with what I experienced | Yes | 22 | 96 |
No | 1 | 4 | |
My dog experienced more severe side effects than I expected | Yes | 5 | 22 |
No | 18 | 78 | |
My dog experienced fewer side effects than I expected | Yes | 14 | 61 |
No | 9 | 39 | |
I was well informed how to care for side effects | Yes | 19 | 83 |
No | 0 | 0 | |
NA | 4 | 17 | |
Management of side effects was effective | Yes | 10 | 43 |
Yes in part | 5 | 22 | |
No | 0 | 0 | |
NA | 8 | 35 | |
4) Describe the level of satisfaction with RT in your dog. | |||
RT was worth my commitment in time, travel, caring for the dog at home etc. | Yes | 23 | 100 |
No | 0 | 0 | |
Subjecting my dog to RT was worth my financial cost | Yes | 22 | 96 |
No | 1 | 4 | |
I consider that the discomfort to my dog due to RT was worth the gain | Yes | 23 | 100 |
No | 0 | 0 | |
I would use RT again in a similar situation with another dog. | Yes | 22 | 96 |
No | 0 | 0 | |
Missing | 1 | 4 |