title: Veterinary surgeons' opinions on dog welfare issues.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To begin to determine the significance of various dog welfare issues as perceived by veterinary practitioners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an online questionnaire, respondents were asked how frequently they were made aware of 12 welfare issues and how important they felt each one was for each dog affected. Respondents were also asked how much they agreed with statements that the veterinary practitioners in their area, and the veterinary profession, should do more about each issue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses were received from 59 practitioners. The most frequently noted problems were "obesity", "chronic pain/poor mobility" and "breed-related conditions". The most important issues for each dog affected were "lack of treatment for suffering", "abuse or active cruelty" and "malnutrition". "Breed-related conditions", "obesity" and "behavioural problems" were the issues for which there was greatest agreement that veterinary practitioners should do more, both in their area and as a profession.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study suggests that the veterinary profession believes that obesity, breed-related conditions and behavioural problems are important concerns, and that more should be done about them. Although these results cannot be taken as definitive from a study of this size, it does provide a background for such further work involving companion dog welfare and the veterinary profession.
authors: Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Yeates
authors: D C J
authors: DC
authors: Main
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013522:Surgery, Veterinary; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000523:psychology*