Dogs Trust, London, UK.
Vet Rec. 2022 Aug;191(3):e1681. doi: 10.1002/vetr.1681. Epub 2022 May 5.
This study explored dog owners' concerns and experiences related to accessing veterinary healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data were obtained through two cross-sectional owner-completed surveys conducted in May (first nationwide lockdown) and October 2020 and owner-completed diaries (April-November 2020). Diaries and relevant open-ended survey questions were analysed qualitatively to identify themes. Survey responses concerning veterinary healthcare access were summarised and compared using chi-square tests.
During the initial months of the pandemic, veterinary healthcare availability worried 32.4% (n = 1431/4922) of respondents. However, between 23 March and 4 November 2020, 99.5% (n = 1794/1843) of those needing to contact a veterinarian managed to do so. Delays/cancellations of procedures affected 28.0% (n = 82/293) of dogs that owners planned to neuter and 34.2% (n = 460/1346) of dogs that owners intended to vaccinate. Qualitative themes included COVID-19 safety precautions, availability of veterinary healthcare and the veterinarian-client relationship.
Veterinary healthcare availability concerned many owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to veterinary healthcare for emergencies remained largely available, but prophylactic treatments were delayed for some dogs.
本研究探讨了狗主人在 COVID-19 大流行期间获得兽医医疗保健服务的关注和经验。
数据通过 2020 年 5 月（首次全国封锁）和 10 月进行的两次横断面主人完成的调查以及 2020 年 4 月至 11 月的主人完成的日记获得。对日记和相关开放式调查问题进行了定性分析以确定主题。使用卡方检验对有关兽医保健服务可及性的调查答复进行总结和比较。
在大流行的最初几个月，兽医保健服务的可及性使 32.4%（n=4922 中的 1431 人）的受访者感到担忧。然而，在 2020 年 3 月 23 日至 11 月 4 日期间，99.5%（n=1843 中的 1794 人）需要联系兽医的人都能够联系到。手术的延迟/取消影响了 28.0%（n=293 中的 82 只）计划绝育的狗和 34.2%（n=1346 中的 460 只）计划接种疫苗的狗。定性主题包括 COVID-19 安全预防措施、兽医保健服务的可及性和兽医-客户关系。
在 COVID-19 大流行期间，兽医保健服务的可及性令许多主人感到担忧。对于紧急情况，获得兽医医疗保健服务的机会仍然很大，但一些狗的预防性治疗被推迟了。
