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Table 1 a Responses to the owner questionnaire, categorical answers.

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

  1. a NA- not applicable