“我们有一颗滴答作响的定时炸弹”：一项对英格兰犬主人的定性研究，探讨犬癫痫对他们的影响。
"We have a ticking time bomb": a qualitative exploration of the impact of canine epilepsy on dog owners living in England.
机构信息
Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
PDSA Pet Hospital Nottingham, Dunkirk Road, Nottingham, NG7 2PH, UK.
出版信息
BMC Vet Res. 2020 Nov 13;16(1):443. doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02669-w.
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic epilepsy is a common neurological condition in dogs. Previous research has focused on clinical aspects of seizure management in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy with little attention given to the emotional and logistical challenges for their owners. The current study aimed to explore the impacts of owning a dog with idiopathic epilepsy on owner quality of life and lifestyle, using qualitative methods.
METHODS
Owners of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy living in England were recruited via social media and word of mouth, and then selected using purposive sampling to participate in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Epilepsy management was explored through in-depth accounts of owner experiences and influencing factors. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was used to construct key themes.
RESULTS
Twenty-one interviews were completed. Almost all owners had made lifestyle changes in order to care for their dog, including substantial modifications to routines and, in some cases, employment. Many owners discussed a very emotionally close dog-owner bond, and described experiencing frequent feelings of fear, stress and uncertainty regarding their dog's health. Friends, family and colleagues did not always understand the magnitude of commitment required to care for a dog with idiopathic epilepsy. This, combined with a fear of leaving their dog unsupervised, had social implications in some instances and lead to increased use of the Internet and online groups for peer support.
CONCLUSIONS
The commitment required to care for a dog with idiopathic epilepsy, and the lifestyle changes made by their owners, may be far greater than previously estimated. Further consideration of these factors by veterinary professionals and the friends and families of owners of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy could improve owner quality of life, and facilitate the provision of additional support.
背景
特发性癫痫是犬类常见的神经疾病。先前的研究主要集中在特发性癫痫犬的癫痫管理的临床方面，而很少关注其主人面临的情感和后勤方面的挑战。本研究旨在使用定性方法探讨特发性癫痫犬对主人生活质量和生活方式的影响。
方法
通过社交媒体和口碑，招募居住在英国的特发性癫痫犬主人，并通过目的性抽样选择他们参与面对面的半结构化访谈。通过深入了解主人的经历和影响因素，探讨了癫痫管理。采访进行了录音和逐字记录，并使用主题分析构建了关键主题。
结果
完成了 21 次访谈。几乎所有的主人都为了照顾他们的狗而改变了生活方式，包括对日常生活进行重大调整，在某些情况下还改变了工作。许多主人讨论了与狗非常亲密的关系，并描述了他们经常对狗的健康感到恐惧、压力和不确定。朋友、家人和同事并不总是理解照顾特发性癫痫犬所需的承诺程度。这一点，加上害怕让他们的狗无人监督，在某些情况下会产生社交影响，并导致更多地使用互联网和在线群组寻求同伴支持。
结论
照顾特发性癫痫犬所需的承诺，以及其主人的生活方式改变，可能比以前估计的要大得多。兽医专业人员以及特发性癫痫犬主人的朋友和家人进一步考虑这些因素，可以提高主人的生活质量，并为他们提供额外的支持。
Zotero 插件