UC Davis researchers hope to poll cat owners about adopting telemedicine, which might make it simpler for cats to obtain the health care they require
In the spirit of science, researchers in California are asking cat owners to do their favorite thing: chat about their cat. The team seeks to learn how to make remote vet appointments more appealing to owners in order to better ensure that cats receive regular medical treatment.
Scientists from the Animal Welfare Epidemiology Lab at the University of California, Davis are leading the study. They're attempting to address a long-standing issue in the pet industry. Cats visit the veterinarian less frequently than dogs. When they do, the event can be quite traumatic for both the cat and the human.
Telemedicine has evolved as a viable option or addition to in-person care for people in recent years, notably during the pandemic. The team wants to see if the same is true for cats. They're now inviting cat owners to fill out a short questionnaire regarding their thoughts about telemedicine as part of this objective. If you want to participate, you may do so here.
"Ultimately, we want to see if video telemedicine can improve accessibility and owner desire to give health treatment for their cat." "This is especially relevant because cat owners are less likely to give routine health care for their cat than dog owners," Ashley Bidgoli, an undergraduate student at the lab, told Gizmodo in an email.
According to Bidgoli, veterinary rules in several states only allow for the use of telemedicine if the cat visits the vet at least once a year. So, while these programs aren't meant to replace regular visits, they may make it more realistic and cheap for owners to contact a vet for less-urgent problems or to maintain an overall high level of health care for their feline companions.
"Video telemedicine also allows the veterinary staff to directly observe the home environment, which may assist enhance at-home care of behavioral issues and chronic conditions." Furthermore, video telemedicine may be useful for re-check type consultations, such as post-surgical check-ins, where in-person visits may not be essential, according to Bidgoli.
The poll is accessible to all US citizens over the age of 18 who own at least one cat, and no past experience with remote vet visits is necessary. The team hopes to attract between 1,200 and 2,000 volunteers. If all goes well, they want to have their study published within a year.
#Cats #CatLovers
SOURCE: gizmodo
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