Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Cats’ and dogs’ stress levels elevates when visiting veterinary practices, which can propose a welfare risk if not managed properly. Accompanied with raised stress levels, animals may respond with stress-related behaviours, as a result of emotions to frustration, fear, and aggression, presenting a threat to both themselves, their owners, and the veterinary staff. With the use of different resources, including personal knowledge and handling, physical and environmental tools as well as medication, animals performing these behaviours can be handled more easily and help them to lower their stress response to the situations. The aim of this study was to elaborate on what resources are used in Swedish veterinary practices, which are aiding the work and helping cats and dogs exhibiting stress-related behaviours in veterinary environments. Furthermore, the study was conducted to evaluate if the resources used are in accordance with present research within the area, and to what extent more resources should be advised to be implemented. Data was collected through a questionnaire distributed to veterinary clinics via email contact. A small-scale literature study examining the use of resources related to handling of animals in the veterinary practice, and their effects, was also conducted. Results showed varying usage of different resources, many of which were not implemented to the extent shown to be sufficient in decreasing stress-related behaviours. Further, the results indicate that the clinics need more resources, both human, physical, and medical, and that the animals would strongly benefit from implementing more animal-behaviour-centred resources. Future studies ought to examine if there are any patterns related to what kind of veterinary clinics have more or less resources available, and what can be done to further advance the routines and veterinary environments related to the handling of cats and dogs expressing stress-related behaviours.