Slater M R, Barton C L, Rogers K S, Peterson J L, Harris C K, Wallace K
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843, USA.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996 Apr 15;208(8):1248-52.
Cancer in cats is being diagnosed with increasing frequency. Euthanasia or an active intervention such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery are treatment choices for the owner at diagnosis of the cat's disease. In this study, 2 interviews with cat owners, one soon after diagnosis of cancer in the cat and one 6 months later, were used to identify owner characteristics associated with a decision of euthanasia or intervention, to identify factors associated with an owner's satisfaction with euthanasia or intervention, and to evaluate inappropriate expectations of the owners who selected an intervention. The study included 89 owners from 3 referral hospitals. In logistic regression analysis, significant factors were not found that affected the owner's decision to euthanatize the cat versus intervene. Satisfaction with the decision to euthanatize the cat was associated with the ability of the cat to groom itself, eat, and play at the first interview. Among owners who selected an intervention, 4 combinations of factors were associated with being satisfied. The first combination was clinic of origin (CLIN), having a live cat at the 6-month follow-up interview (LIVE), and understanding the number of return visits required for the intervention. The second was CLIN, LIVE, and type and frequency of adverse effects from the intervention at the 6-month interview. The third was CLIN, LIVE, and feeling guilty at the 6-month interview. The fourth was CLIN, LIVE, and whether the cat had a good or excellent quality of life at the first interview. Thirty percent (21/69) of the owners tended to overestimate their cats' life expectancy. Owners also felt they had reasonably accurate estimations of adverse effects of treatment and number of return visits, but underestimated the costs required for an intervention. For owners who elect an intervention, a reminder from the veterinarian that emotional upheavals may develop even after the decision has been made is important. To provide optimal patient care and client education, veterinarians must find a middle ground between being knowledgeable, practical, and informed, and being compassionate and approachable.
猫患癌症的诊断频率越来越高。安乐死或诸如化疗、放疗或手术等积极干预措施是猫被诊断出疾病时主人的治疗选择。在本研究中，对猫主人进行了两次访谈，一次在猫被诊断出癌症后不久，另一次在6个月后，以确定与安乐死或干预决策相关的主人特征，确定与主人对安乐死或干预的满意度相关的因素，并评估选择干预的主人的不恰当期望。该研究包括来自3家转诊医院的89位主人。在逻辑回归分析中，未发现影响主人决定对猫实施安乐死还是进行干预的显著因素。对安乐死猫的决定感到满意与猫在第一次访谈时梳理毛发、进食和玩耍的能力有关。在选择干预措施的主人中，有4种因素组合与满意度相关。第一种组合是初始就诊诊所（CLIN）、在6个月随访访谈时有存活的猫（LIVE）以及了解干预所需的复诊次数。第二种是CLIN、LIVE以及在6个月访谈时干预的不良反应类型和频率。第三种是CLIN、LIVE以及在6个月访谈时感到内疚。第四种是CLIN、LIVE以及猫在第一次访谈时生活质量是良好还是优异。30%（21/69）的主人往往高估了他们猫的预期寿命。主人还觉得他们对治疗的不良反应和复诊次数有合理准确的估计，但低估了干预所需的费用。对于选择干预措施的主人，兽医提醒他们即使在做出决定后也可能会出现情绪波动很重要。为了提供最佳的患者护理和客户教育，兽医必须在知识渊博、务实和见多识广与富有同情心和易于接近之间找到平衡点。
