title: Mapping discussion of canine obesity between veterinary surgeons and dog owners: a provisional study.
abstract: This study maps communication between veterinary surgeons and dog owners on obesity management in four first-opinion practices in the UK. A total of 74 dog owners who met the study's inclusion criteria and 24 veterinary surgeons were interviewed using oral questionnaires between November 2013 and May 2014. The dog owner questionnaire was based on potential discussion areas that could influence an owner's intention to act (initiate a weight loss regime) based on Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behaviour. The veterinary surgeons' questionnaires assessed perception of canine obesity, their personal communication strategies and current practice-level interventions. The findings identify opportunities for more proactive approaches to obesity management by veterinary surgeons and their practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB30ES, UK.
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cairns-Haylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB30ES, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fordyce
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010067:Ownership; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011582:Psychological Theory; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Dogs; Obesity; communication