Griesser Anne-Claude, Chase-Topping Margo, Finka Lauren, Dowgray Nathalie
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
J Feline Med Surg. 2025 Feb;27(2):1098612X241303394. doi: 10.1177/1098612X241303394.
The aim of this study was two-fold: first, to investigate the attitudes and application of cat-friendly practices among German, French and Swiss veterinarians during consultations; and second, to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the demographics of the veterinarians and variations in the application of cat-friendly practices and attitudes.
A bilingual questionnaire structured around the capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COM-B) model of human behaviour was distributed to veterinarians in Germany, France and Switzerland. Using Likert scales, participants were asked to report on their application of cat-friendly practices during consultations and their attitudes towards cat-friendly methods. The proportion of cat-friendly practices and attitudes were identified by grouping results across Likert scales. Multiple binary logistic regression models were performed to compare the differences in cat-friendly practices and attitudes across the three countries. Cumulative scores were calculated for practices and attitudes, and analysed for associations with veterinarian demographics using a general linear model.
Of the 516 respondents, 36.2% used scruffing to restrain cats, 51.9% prescribed anxiolytics for future visits and 17.1% used medication to mitigate stress during consultations. Only 37.6% thought that caregivers expected to be educated on how to prevent or reduce stress in their cats during transport. Having an employee position rather than being clinic director or partner was associated with a lower score of cat-friendly practices ( <0.01) and motivation ( = 0.02). Whereas, awareness of cat-friendly guidelines, working in a Cat Friendly or Fear Free accredited clinic and being trained in animal behaviour contributed to higher scores in both cat-friendly practices and overall attitudes ( <0.001).
Education and promotion of guidelines on cat-friendly practices will facilitate improvements in handling cats and mitigating fear-anxiety with medication.
本研究有两个目的：第一，调查德国、法国和瑞士的兽医在诊疗过程中对猫友好型做法的态度和应用情况；第二，更好地了解兽医的人口统计学特征与猫友好型做法的应用及态度差异之间的关系。
围绕人类行为的能力、机会、动机和行为（COM-B）模型构建的双语问卷被分发给德国、法国和瑞士的兽医。使用李克特量表，要求参与者报告他们在诊疗过程中对猫友好型做法的应用情况以及对猫友好型方法的态度。通过对李克特量表的结果进行分组，确定猫友好型做法和态度的比例。进行多个二元逻辑回归模型，以比较三个国家在猫友好型做法和态度上的差异。计算做法和态度的累积得分，并使用一般线性模型分析与兽医人口统计学特征的关联。
在516名受访者中，36.2%使用抓颈法来约束猫，51.9%为未来就诊开抗焦虑药，17.1%在诊疗过程中使用药物来减轻压力。只有37.6%的人认为照顾者期望接受关于如何在运输过程中预防或减轻猫的压力的教育。拥有员工职位而非诊所主任或合伙人与较低的猫友好型做法得分（<0.01）和动机得分（=0.02）相关。然而，对猫友好型指南的认识、在获得猫友好或无惧认证的诊所工作以及接受动物行为培训有助于在猫友好型做法和总体态度方面获得更高的得分（<0.001）。
对猫友好型做法指南的教育和推广将有助于改善对猫的处理方式，并通过药物减轻恐惧焦虑。
