Owner Experiences Research Articles

Owner experience and veterinary involvement with unlicensed GS-441524 treatment of feline infectious peritonitis: a prospective cohort study.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) has historically been a fatal coronavirus disease in cats. In recent years, the therapeutic agent GS-441524, developed by Gilead Sciences, was found to be a successful treatment for FIP in most patients in clinical trials. However, this particular drug has remained stalled in the therapeutic pipeline, leaving patients and cat owners without a licensed medication. In the meantime, online social media platforms began to emerge, connecting cat owners with a community of citizen non-veterinary professionals sourcing unlicensed GS-441524. This study prospectively followed participants (N = 141) that successfully completed 12 weeks of treatment, capturing their treatment experiences with self-administered GS-441524-like medication. A one-time survey was administered to enrolled participants with mixed format of questions (open-ended and multiple-choice) asking about treatment administration techniques, observed side effects of GS-441524, accrued cost, veterinarian involvement, impact on the cat-human bond, and social media usage. Our results show cat owners experienced a shift in treatment modality from injectable GS-441524 to pill formulation across the treatment period. The average total cost of medication has decreased since 2021 to approximately USD 3100, and participants reported the human-animal bond being affected negatively. Additionally, there was an increased trend in veterinarian awareness of GS-441524-like therapeutics and monitoring of clients undergoing treatment. Social media usage was reported as being important at the beginning of treatment to establish treatment administration but lessened by the end of treatment. This study is the first detailed, prospective account of owner experiences with unlicensed GS-441524, raising an important discussion surrounding citizen veterinary medicine.

Owner perceptions and experiences with equine necropsy

In recent years, the number of horses submitted for necropsy has been in decline. This study aimed to identify the perceptions and barriers of equine necropsy through an online survey of horse owners. The data were analyzed by multivariate models for associations and factors that influenced decision making regarding necropsy. The survey yielded 1,366 usable responses. Respondents had higher familiarity with the term “autopsy” compared to “necropsy” (P < 0.001) and showed a greater level of comfort using the terms “body” and “mortality” compared to “carcass” (P < 0.001). Most respondents (82 %) had experienced euthanizing a horse, but few (27 %) were offered a necropsy. Of those offered a necropsy, a majority (81 %) opted to perform one. When asked about their reasons for choosing to have a necropsy performed, recommendations from veterinarians (77.87 OR, 95 % CI: 49.3, 127.5) and already knowing the cause of death (1.85 OR, 95 % CI: 1.2, 30) were positively associated while a benefit to herd health was negatively associated (0.55 OR, 95 % CI: 0.3, 1.0). Owning horses for use as competition animals (1.44 OR, 95 % CI: 0.9, 2.2), the desire for personal closure (1.76 OR, 95 % CI: 1.1, 2.9), and the goals to protect human health (1.29 OR, 95 % CI: 1.0, 1.6) and to improve herd health (1.43 OR, 95 % CI: 1.1, 1.9) were positively associated with a likelihood of choosing to have a necropsy performed or recommending necropsies in the future. This research highlights the need for education of horse owners about the option and benefits of necropsy, and the use of more societally accepted language.

Horse owner experiences and observations with the use of SGLT2i for the management of equine metabolic syndrome and hyperinsulinaemia‐associated laminitis

SummaryBackgroundSodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are being used increasingly in equine practice. While there is emerging clinical evidence of the safety and efficacy of these drugs, there are currently no reports to document owner experiences with treatment.ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to report owner experiences and observations following treatment with SGLT2i in horses.Study designA cross‐sectional online survey.MethodsHorse owners were recruited via social media, online forums and their veterinarians to participate in an anonymous online survey to document their experiences and observations when treating their horses with SGLT2i.ResultsThree hundred forty‐two responses met the inclusion criteria. Ertugliflozin was the most commonly prescribed SGLT2i (79.8%), and the most common reasons for treatment were high insulin concentrations (84.2%) and active laminitis (59.7%). 85.3% of owners reported their horses had an improved quality of life after commencing treatment, while 9.4% reported no change and 5.3% reported a worsening of clinical signs. Of owners who had considered euthanasia prior to treatment (n = 77), 80.5% reported their horse's level of pain to be either mild or absent after 30 days of treatment and 94.8% reported their horse's quality of life to be improved. Most owners (n = 220, 64.7%) reported they were either extremely satisfied or somewhat satisfied (n = 72, 21.2%) with treatment. Treatment concerns included safety/side effects, medication cost, availability and long‐term efficacy. 114 owners (33.3%) reported one or more initial adverse effects upon induction onto the medication, particularly excessive urination (n = 70, 20.5%), excessive drinking (n = 38, 11.1%), excessive weight loss (n = 34, 9.9%) and dullness (n = 26, 7.6%).Main limitationSampling bias through social media and veterinary practices and reliance on subjective owner reports.ConclusionThe use of SGLT2i in horses was associated with excellent rates of owner satisfaction and owner‐reported improved quality of life for the horse; however, some adverse effects were observed.

Legal Protection for Misuse of Television Station Logo Without Permission in Tiktok Social Media

&lt;p&gt;This writing aims to find out the form of legal protection against misuse of the logo without permission and to find out the legal consequences for content creators on TikTok social media who misuse the logo. This research can provide information to content creators and the public to protect logos and to find out the legal consequences for parties who misuse logos. In this writing, normative legal research methods are used. This article has a novelty, namely a more specific discussion of logo misuse in terms of Law No. 20 of 2016 and the consequences of misuse of logos on social media. The result of this writing is to find out the form of legal protection for the owner of the rights to the logo, if the logo owner experiences a loss caused by another party then the party who caused the loss can be given sanctions in accordance with Law No. 20 of 2016 and to find out the legal consequences for content creators who misuse the logo without permission on TikTok social media are subject to imprisonment and/or fines as regulated in Law No. 20 of 2016, and can also file a civil suit for compensation and/or to stop misuse of the logo. If the violation is committed on social media, you can be sentenced to imprisonment for a maximum of 4 years and/or a fine of a maximum of IDR. 750,000,000,- (seven hundred and fifty million rupiah) as regulated in article 45 paragraph 3 of the ITE Law.&lt;/p&gt;

The Supply-Side Story of Zero Tillage Service Provision in the Eastern Gangetic Plains: Perspectives from Machinery Owners

A vibrant fee-for-hire service provision economy is required in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) to ensure that resource-poor smallholder farmers can access and benefit from agri-mechanisation. While the literature on sustainable agri-mechanisation (with an emphasis on Conservation Agriculture-based Sustainable Intensification) has focused on the potential impact on farmer livelihoods, there has been a significant gap in understanding the supply constraints that limit the availability of machinery for smallholders. Using a novel qualitative thematic coding approach based on machinery owner experiences, this study aims to fill this gap, highlighting issues around the inclusiveness of current approaches to encourage machinery services provision and the economic viability of doing so. The findings of this study are not only informative but also have practical implications for future work. To address key constraints, we identify five focus areas for future research, alongside the need to explore with communities their preferred methods to access machinery. In doing so, this work enables a more holistic understanding of the next steps to encourage widespread and equitable agri-mechanization across the EGP.

Feasibility of electric two and three-wheelers in Africa

Due to the less stringent emission technology requirement, motorized two and three-wheelers (2&3W) generate more pollutants than cars. About 20% of the world's registered motorcycles are known to be in Africa. Vehicle pollution is one of the major causes of death and health problems in Africa. The electrification of transportation provides an opportunity for E2&3W in Africa. To assess this transition, this study quantifies the number of E2&3W present in some African countries. Surveys of electric vehicle start-ups, drivers, and owner experiences are used to determine the E2&3W's technical feasibility and ability to compete with petrol scooters (p-scooters). SimaPro 9.4 software together with Ecoinvent 3.8 database was used to conduct a cradle-to-the-grave analysis of the environmental impact of using electric scooters (e-scooters). The research found that Africa's E2&3W's have a 0.2% market share compared to gasoline versions. The main disadvantage of e-scooters is their limited range and battery life. The average range and speed are 50 ​km and 50 ​km/h, respectively. Overloading of E2&3W caused damage to traction motors and was of major concern to distributors. The main advantages of E2&3W are their low operating costs and low environmental impact. In South Africa, the total environmental impact of e-scooters outweighed that of p-scooters. Emissions that have a direct impact on human health, were significantly lower for e-scooters than for p-scooters. The lack of battery performance standards, battery swapping station standards, and charging station standards negatively affects the quality of imported e-scooters. African countries need to implement electric vehicle standards, and battery recycling policies, and establish electric vehicle training and research centers.

"Just old age" - a qualitative investigation of owner and veterinary professional experiences of and attitudes to ageing in dogs in the UK.

Many UK dogs live into old age, but owners may not recognise or report age-associated signs of disease which lead to negative welfare. This study investigated dog owner and veterinary professional experiences and attitudes towards ageing in dogs, how health care is offered, barriers to its delivery, and some best-practice solutions. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 owners of 21 dogs (aged 8 to 17 years mean: 13) and 11 veterinary professional (eight veterinary surgeons, two nurses and one physiotherapist). Open-text responses from 61 dog owners were collected using an online survey. Transcripts and survey responses were inductively coded into themes. Four themes were constructed: "just old age", barriers to care, trust in veterinary surgeons, and tools to improve health care. Age-related changes were mostly perceived as "just old age" by dog owners. Many dogs were no longer vaccinated and did not attend check-ups unless owners identified a problem. The greatest barriers to health care were finances (dog owners), owner awareness, willingness to act and consultation time (veterinary professionals). Trust in veterinary professionals was more likely when dog owner experienced continuity, prioritisation of care, clear communication and an accessible, knowledgeable and empathic veterinary professional. Participants suggested that senior health care and communication between dog owners and veterinary professionals could be improved through questionnaires, and evidence-based online information. Opportunities to educate owners on which clinical signs represent healthy or pathological ageing are being missed. Resources should be developed to guide on best-practice discussions in consultations, encourage more owners to recognise clinical signs and to seek and trust veterinary advice.

Veterinary services during the COVID-19 pandemic: less stressful for cats and their carers?

The COVID-19 pandemic saw major changes to small animal veterinary practice, many of which may have had an impact on stress in cats presented to the clinic. The aim of this study was to examine the nature of feline outpatient visits before and during the pandemic, and examine signs of stress noted in cats before, during and after these visits. A questionnaire was used to gather data on cat owner experiences of visits to the veterinary clinic. Data were gathered on the owner's most recent experience of a consultation, with consultations occurring in February 2020 or earlier coded as a standard consultation, and consultations occurring in March 2020 or later coded as COVID-19 consultations. A total of 371 responses were received, with 210 coded as standard consultations and 161 coded as COVID-19 consultations. Consultation type varied significantly between standard and COVID-19 consultations (P <0.001), with emergency consultations more frequent and preventive healthcare consultations less frequent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The area in which the owner and their cat waited also varied significantly between standard and COVID-19 consultations (P <0.001), with standard consultations more likely to involve time in a waiting room while COVID-19 consultations were often called straight in or waited outside the practice. Most owners notedbehaviours associated with stress in their cats, regardless of consultation type, although trying to hide or escape were noted more frequently for cats seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that outpatient visits to the veterinary clinic were stressful for cats both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, but some measures taken during the pandemic, for example less use of waiting rooms, could be used alongside existing cat friendly measures to help to reduce stress in feline patients.

Severe Weather Experience and Climate Change Belief among Small Woodland Owners: A Study of Reciprocal Effects

Abstract Climate change is threatening forest ecosystem services, but people who manage their own forestland are in a unique position to observe these threats and take steps to reduce their impacts, especially if they believe that climate change is a contributing factor. We investigate the nature of the relationship between small woodland owner experiences of drought and severe storms and climate change belief in the upper midwestern United States using survey data and structural equation modeling. We find for both events that experience has a modest, positive effect on climate change belief, but only indirectly through perceptions of changing trends in these types of events. In addition, we find that trend perception and climate change belief have an important reciprocal relationship. Our findings suggest that experience as well as cognitive biases are related to believing in climate change, and that greater attention should be given to the potential of bidirectional relationships between key concepts related to climate change belief. Significance Statement Belief in climate change increases the likelihood of supporting and participating in climate change mitigation actions. We wanted to better understand the relationships between experiencing severe weather events, believing in global climate change, and noticing changes in the local patterns of severe weather events. Using data from a survey of individual and family forestland owners, also known as small woodland owners, in the upper Midwest, we found that severe weather experience increases climate change belief by increasing the perception that severe weather event trends are changing. The nature of this relationship is also important for informing how future analyses are constructed to avoid misleading findings that overestimate the influence that severe weather experience has on climate change belief.

Veterinary surgeons', veterinary nurses' and owners' experiences of feline telemedicine consultations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

There has been increasing provision of veterinary telemedicine consultations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, little evidence currently exists examining these remote consultations. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore veterinary and cat owner experiences of telemedicine consultations during the pandemic. Two questionnaires, one aimed at veterinary professionals and one at cat owners, were launched in September 2020. Questions explored the type of consultation conducted remotely, the perceived advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine, and the role of telemedicine in the future of veterinary practice. Responses were received from 242 veterinary professionals and 98 owners with experience of telemedicine. Monitoring and advice consultations were felt to be most suited to telemedicine. Reduced stress for owners/cats was seen as an advantage of telemedicine, while lack of clinical examination and risk of misdiagnosis were viewed as disadvantages. Most respondents (85.7% [n=84/98] of owners; 67.4% [n=163/242] of veterinary professionals) felt practices should continue to offer telemedicine consultations. With increasing pet ownership and practice workload, telemedicine may play a crucial role in the future of veterinary practice. Future work should focus on a strategic approach to feline telemedicine, integrating it alongside face-to-face visits and developing technologies to maximise its advantages.

Owner experiences with and perceptions of owner-witnessed CPR in veterinary medicine.

To examine owner experiences with and perceptions of owner-witnessed resuscitation (OWR) in veterinary medicine and to determine if previous experience with family-witnessed resuscitation (FWR) influenced perceptions. Multicenter survey. Two academic and 2 private practice referral hospitals in the United States. Four hundred and seven clients presenting their small animal or exotic pet to the emergency service, or owners of patients hospitalized in the small animal ICU, April 1 to May 15, 2019. None MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Anonymous, online survey. Demographic variables, familiarity with CPR, previous experience with FWR or OWR, and open-ended questions and 4-point Likert items assessing level of agreement with statements on OWR were included. Scores equal or greater than 2 represented positive agreement. An overall OWR mean score was calculated from Likert items. Seventy-nine (19.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.7%-23.7%) participants reported having been involved with FWR, and 13 (3.2%; 95% CI, 1.8%-5.5%) reported having witnessed CPR on their pet. Owners were significantly more likely to participate in OWR if they had been present for FWR (P=0.0004). Ninety-two percent of respondents who had been present for OWR would elect to be present again (95% CI, 62.1%-99.6%). Whether present for OWR or not, owners believed there may be benefits from witnessing CPR and had overall positive feelings toward the practice (OWR mean score, 2.87, SD 0.45 and 2.68, SD 0.54, respectively). Most respondents (78.6%; 95% CI, 74.2%-82.4%) felt that owners should be offered the opportunity to witness CPR on their pets. Owners expressed overall positive experiences with and attitudes toward OWR and believe the option for presence should be provided. As pet owners become more aware of FWR in human medicine, veterinarians may need to be prepared to entertain the possibility of OWR and owners' wishes to remain with their pet during CPR.

Risk-factors associated with veterinary-related fear and aggression in owned domestic dogs

Fear and aggression in dogs within veterinary clinics can lead to canine welfare impairments and pose a safety concern for veterinary staff. However, few studies have explored potential underlying causes for this fear and aggression. We used an online cross-sectional survey targeted to current dog owners to examine risk-factors associated with fear and aggression within veterinary clinics. The factors we assessed in the survey were related to dog characteristics (e.g., sex, breed), fear and aggression responses in everyday scenarios (e.g., stranger-directed fear), experiences at the veterinary clinic (e.g., frequency of visits), training, early socialization, and owner demographics (e.g., gender, age). Data were analyzed using mixed linear regression models, with participant as a random effect to account for multiple dogs within the same household. For fear within veterinary clinics, dogs (n = 1346) were significantly more likely to be rated as fearful by their owners if they were neutered at ≤1 year of age; received their first nail trim at an older age; were rated as having severe non-social fear, or stranger-directed fear and aggression, or as being stressed or aggressive during body handling; had a negative change in behaviour after an aversive clinic experience; and if owners indicated being nervous during situations within the veterinary clinic. For aggression within veterinary clinics, dogs (n = 1776) were more likely to be rated as aggressive if they were reported to be fearful of the veterinary clinic, fearful of feet toweling, or stressed or aggressive during body handling, if the owner reported using positive punishment during routine training, or if any of the following had occurred during clinic visits: examination shortened, use of towel restraint or muzzling, dog bite directed at staff member, general use of positive punishment on the dog, and if the owner indicated being nervous during situations within the veterinary clinic. Random effects for participant were significant for both fear and aggression models, with intra-class correlation coefficients of 0.36 (CI: 0.21−0.54, p = 0.0004) and 0.16 (CI: 0.06−0.36, p = 0.017), respectively, indicating some correlation in behaviour amongst dogs owned by the same person. These results suggest that both fear and aggression within veterinary clinics are related to dog personality, previous early experiences and veterinary clinic experiences, and owner experiences during veterinary visits. These findings can be used to generate hypotheses for future research aimed at preventing the development of fear and aggression within a veterinary setting.

\u201cWe have a ticking time bomb\u201d: a qualitative exploration of the impact of canine epilepsy on dog owners living in England

BackgroundIdiopathic 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.MethodsOwners 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.ResultsTwenty-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.ConclusionsThe 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.

Forest Owner Objectives Typologies: Instruments for Each Owner Type or Instruments for Most Owner Types?

The extensive literature on non-industrial private forest owner typologies often assumes that different forest owner types will respond to different policy instruments according to shared forest ownership objectives. Forest owner typologies using principal component analysis and subsequent k-means clustering techniques are now prolific. The surprisingly little empirical work linking forest owner objectives typologies with forest owner opinions or experiences of different policy instruments, however, shows ambiguous support for recommended targeting efforts. This study uses standard tools of analysis to investigate the relationship between private forest owners’ ownership objectives and their opinions on forest conservation policy instruments. Results show some statistically significant, but in absolute terms weak relationships between ownership objectives and Sweden’s command and control green tree retention measures, participation in voluntary forest stewardship certification, acceptance of a hypothetical financial incentive, and overall interest in taking more environmentally beneficial forest management measures. These results suggest the benefits of targeting different kinds of instruments to different kinds of ownership objectives may be limited.

Forest owner objectives typologies: Instruments for each owner type or instruments for most owner types?

The extensive literature on non-industrial private forest owner typologies often assumes that different forest owner types will respond to different policy instruments according to shared forest ownership objectives. Forest owner typologies using principal component analysis and subsequent k-means clustering techniques are now prolific. The surprisingly little empirical work linking forest owner objectives typologies with forest owner opinions or experiences of different policy instruments, however, shows ambiguous support for recommended targeting efforts. This study uses standard tools of analysis to investigate the relationship between private forest owners' ownership objectives and their opinions on forest conservation policy instruments. Results show some statistically significant, but in absolute terms weak relationships between ownership objectives and Sweden's command and control green tree retention measures, participation in voluntary forest stewardship certification, acceptance of a hypothetical financial incentive, and overall interest in taking more environmentally beneficial forest management measures. These results suggest the benefits of targeting different kinds of instruments to different kinds of ownership objectives may be limited.

An online survey of dietary and phosphate binder practices of owners of cats with chronic kidney disease.

Objectives The objective of this study was to learn about owner experiences of chronic kidney disease (CKD), focusing on use of therapeutic renal diets (TRDs) and intestinal phosphate binders (IPBs). Methods An online survey was promoted to UK-based cat owners. Results In total, 859 owners participated. Most cats (n = 620; 72.18%) had two or more clinical signs at the time of their CKD diagnosis. Most common were polydipsia (n = 462; 53.78%) and weight loss (n = 426; 49.59%). In 94 cats (10.94%) CKD was only diagnosed as a result of wellness screening. In total, 371 participants (43.19%) reported that their cat's blood pressure had been measured; 100 of these (26.95% of those where blood pressure had been measured) subsequently received anti-hypertensive medication. In total, 90.80% of all participating owners had received a recommendation to feed a TRD. Five hundred and seventy-one owners (66.47%) reported that they were feeding a TRD as a component of their cat's diet. The most common reason for not feeding a TRD was that the cat did not like it (n = 123; 59.13%). Where a veterinary recommendation to feed a TRD had been received, 564 owners (72.31%) reported feeding a TRD as a component of their cat's diet vs seven owners (7.04%) who had not received a veterinary recommendation to feed a TRD. IPBs had been recommended to 321 owners (37.81%) and for 72 owners (8.38%) the recommendation came from a source other than a veterinary professional. Where used, IPBs were commonly added to a TRD (n = 136; 49.28%) and were generally accepted within 4 weeks (n = 178; 73.86%). Conclusions and relevance Awareness of TRDs was high but much lower for IPBs. A veterinary recommendation to feed a TRD was associated with higher compliance.

DELAY MANAGEMENT IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Construction projects are one-time endeavors with three strong constraints i.e., time, cost and quality. Construction management pursues success through the balanced accomplishment of the target levels of these. Since construction management has been and is still being performed to some extent by architects, AIA’s guidance has a strong influence on the profession. Thus, AIA’s “A201-2007 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction” is widely preferred among owners and contractors in the U.S. In Turkey, on the other hand, the government is the owner of a large number of public building projects with a total contract value that accounts for a sizeable portion of the national construction activity. Thus, the “General Conditions for Construction” that is issued by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization is widely used in the industry. Delays have an important effect on both the owner and the contractor; while the owner experiences cost overruns as a direct result of delays, contractors suffer from excessive overhead. A201-2007 addresses the issue in “Article 8-Time”; the Turkish General Conditions addresses it in “Clause 30-Job Duration and Time Extension”. A literature review is performed in this paper to understand the importance of the deviations from the project duration specified in the contract. The objective of this study is to determine the similarities/differences in the management of delays, as mandated by the general conditions commonly used in the U.S. and Turkey. Recommendations are made in the light of the findings to improve delay management.

Evaluation of owner experiences and adherence to home-cooked diet recipes for dogs.

To evaluate owner experiences and adherence to home-cooked diet recipes for dogs. Clients of a veterinary teaching hospital clinical nutrition service who had a home-cooked diet recipe formulated for their dogs between March 2011 and December 2013 were given a survey by email, postal mail and telephone. Survey questions addressed motivations, positive and negative aspects of feeding home-cooked diets and current feeding practices. Responses were compared to animals' medical records to determine adherence. Of the 93 owners who were contacted, 53 (57%) completed the survey. Of the 53 respondents, 43 owners (81%) reported that they were still feeding an home-cooked diet or had fed an home-cooked diet until the time of their dogs' deaths. The most common motivation for feeding a home-cooked diet was suitability for specific medical needs. Of the 30 surveys that included a complete diet history, only four (13%) demonstrated exact adherence to home-cooked diet recipes. Most respondents liked and continued to feed a home-cooked diet, but few owners adhered to prescribed recipes and many dogs required recipe modifications. It is important to counsel dog owners about benefits and drawbacks of feeding home-cooked diets, importance of recipe adherence and necessity for follow-up after diet formulation with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Collar Option Model for Managing the Cost Overrun Caused by Change Orders

Effective change order management is very important in maintaining the financial sustainability of various stakeholders related to construction projects by minimizing cost overruns. In this study, we propose a zero-cost risk management approach based on the collar option model in order to control for the loss caused by change orders, the main cause of cost overruns in construction projects. We apply this model to actual projects for empirical analysis. The analysis, based on 237 projects, indicates that insurance buyers benefit from the collar option model in 46% of the cases, while insurance sellers do so in 53% of the cases. In most cases, the insurance buyer is the owner. According to the model, the owner experiences a loss when the cost overrun caused by change orders is lower than what was expected. In such cases, it is appropriate to conclude that the loss is not caused by the collar option model, but by the absence of additional revenue. However, the insurance seller suffers a loss if the cost overrun is higher than the strike price of the call option. Thus, the insurance seller needs to have expertise in construction management.

Owner experiences in treating dogs and cats diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in the United States.

The objective of this study was to report owner experiences and satisfaction in treating a pet with diabetes mellitus using a descriptive report from an Internet-based survey. Descriptive analysis of results was performed, χ(2) tests were used to detect differences in responses between dog and cat owners, and correlations were assessed using the nonparametric Spearman rank correlation. A total of 834 owners participated in the survey. More diabetic dogs (97%) than cats (82%) were treated with insulin injections. Insulin was administered twice daily in 87% of dogs and 73% of cats. Porcine lente and neutral protamine Hagedorn were the most commonly administered insulins in dogs. In cats, glargine and protamine zinc insulin were the most commonly used insulins. Most pets were not fed a prescribed diabetes diet. More cat (66%) than dog (50%) owners were satisfied with the diabetic control achieved. Cat owners were more likely to use home blood glucose monitoring. Treatment was considered expensive by the majority of owners. Few published reports follow diabetic pets after diagnosis or report owner satisfaction. The results of this study provide useful information that may help veterinarians better educate owners and set expectations regarding diabetes treatment and quality of life for diabetic pets.