Assessment of Dog Owner Concern Regarding Peri-operative Nausea and Vomiting and Willingness to Pay for Anti-emetic Treatment

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess dog owners' concern regarding peri-operative nausea and vomiting, and their willingness to pay for treatment. Design: Descriptive survey. Sample: A survey was administered to 104 dog owning clients with non-emergent surgical (52) or non-surgical (52) appointments at a University teaching hospital. Procedure: Descriptive statistics were calculated. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to detect differences between clients expecting their pet to undergo elective general anesthesia and those that did not. A Spearman's Rank Co-efficient was used to correlate predictive data. Results: Ninety-seven (93%) dog owners had at least some worry regarding their dog experiencing nausea associated with opioid analgesics and anesthesia, with 39/104 (37.5%) moderately to very worried. Forty-one owners (39%) would definitely and 59/104 (56.7%) would likely choose treatment to decrease or prevent signs of nausea. Ninety-four owners (90.4%) had at least some worry regarding vomiting, and 48/104 (46%) indicated they were moderately to very worried. Fifty-three owners (51.4%) would definitely and 49/103 (47.6%) would likely choose treatment to prevent vomiting. The median and mean amount owners were willing to pay was 50 and 76.47 USD, respectively. Ninety-five (91.3%) were likely or very likely to opt for treatment if required to arrive 1 h earlier for their appointment. There was no correlation between age, income, or owner's PONV experience with likelihood of choosing treatment but there was a significant positive correlation with the owner's level of education. Conclusion: Canine owners are concerned with their pets experiencing nausea and vomiting in relation to opioid analgesics and anesthesia and are willing to pay and stay the required time for effective treatment.

Keywords: PONV; opioid associated nausea and vomiting; owner anesthesia concerns; peri-anesthetic nausea and vomiting; peri-operative nausea and vomiting; willingness to pay.

Figure 1

Dog owner's degree of worry about peri-operative nausea and vomiting. 1 = Not at all worried, 5 = Very worried. Respondent answers: Nausea: 1 = 7/104 (6.7%), 2 = 23/104 (22%), 3 = 35/104 (33.7%), 4 = 28/104 (27%), 5 = 11/104 (10.6%). Vomiting: Respondent answers (one client did not answer the question): 1 = 9/103 (8.7%), 2 = 14/103 (13.6%), 3 = 32/103 (31%), 4 = 31/103 (30%), 5 = 17/103 (16.5%).

Figure 2

Dog owner's likelihood to choose treatment to prevent nausea and vomiting. D, Definitely; P, Probably; PN, Probably Not; DN, Definitely Not. Respondents answers: Nausea: DN = 0/104 (0%), PN = 4/104 (3.8%), P = 59/104 (56.7%), D = 41/104 (39.4%). Vomiting: Respondent answers (one client did not answer): DN = 0/103 (0%), PN = 1/103 (1.0%), P = 49/103 (47.6%), D = 53/103 (51.4%).

Figure 3

Dog owner's likelihood to choose treatment to prevent vomiting and nausea if their veterinarian recommended treatment and the cost was 30 USD. DN, Definitely not choose treatment; DO, Definitely ask for other options; LO, Likely to ask to other options; LA, Likely to accept treatment; DA, Definitely accept treatment. Respondent answers: DN = 0/104 (0%), DO = 0/104 (0%), LO = 5/104 (4.8%), LA = 47/104 (45.2%), DA = 52/104 (50%).

Figure 4

Dog owner's likelihood of choosing treatment if required to arrive 60 min earlier for their appointment. VU, Very Unlikely; U, Unlikely; L, Likely; VL, Very Likely. Respondent answers: VU = 4/104 (3.8%), U = 5/104 (4.8%), L = 53/104 (51%), VL = 42/104 (40.4%).