Journals / Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences / 2025 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 3

A study on clinical factors affecting animal welfare in veterinary clinics

Tilbe Grecu(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE)0009-0006-4858-1723
Yaren Kurt Açıkgöz(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, LİSANSÜSTÜ EĞİTİM ENSTİTÜSÜ)0009-0003-4859-3650
Turhan Aykut(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, LİSANSÜSTÜ EĞİTİM ENSTİTÜSÜ)0009-0008-7122-864X
Mehmed Halil(TRAKYA ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-8862-404X
Emel Ünlü(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, LİSANSÜSTÜ EĞİTİM ENSTİTÜSÜ)0009-0000-6872-3537
Canberk Balaban(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, VETERİNER FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0001-7510-7724
Halil Güneş(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA, VETERİNER FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-4154-7104
Pages
189–195
Publication Date
2025-12-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This study emphasizes the need to develop a holistic approach to welfare in veterinary clinics, offering comprehensive improvement strategies at structural, managerial, and behavioral levels.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to evaluate several key factors affecting the welfare of cats and dogs in veterinary clinics in Turkey.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The research was conducted through an online survey with the participation of 412 veterinarians from different cities.
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Conclusion & Impact:This study emphasizes the need to develop a holistic approach to welfare in veterinary clinics, offering comprehensive improvement strategies at structural, managerial, and behavioral levels.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Hayvan refahı · Veteriner Kliniği · Kedi

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate several key factors affecting the welfare of cats and dogs in veterinary clinics in Turkey. The main factors influencing welfare in the clinical setting were quantitatively analyzed and included: physical conditions (auditory stimulation, thermal comfort, humidity, etc.), managerial practices (protocols, in-clinic communication, and staff knowledge/experience), clinical procedures (use of analgesics and anesthetics, physical restraint, species-specific practices), and social factors (pet owner-veterinarian interactions, fear of the clinic, social stress). The research was conducted through an online survey with the participation of 412 veterinarians from different cities. Survey questions were examined under four thematic groups. The findings demonstrated that the adequacy of the clinical environment, standardized protocols, and effective communication are primary factors that enhance animal welfare. Furthermore, it was determined that pet owners’ attitudes, fear of the clinic, and social stress also have significant effects on welfare. This study emphasizes the need to develop a holistic approach to welfare in veterinary clinics, offering comprehensive improvement strategies at structural, managerial, and behavioral levels.

Özet

This study aims to evaluate several key factors affecting the welfare of cats and dogs in veterinary clinics in Turkey. The main factors influencing welfare in the clinical setting were quantitatively analyzed and included: physical conditions (auditory stimulation, thermal comfort, humidity, etc.), managerial practices (protocols, in-clinic communication, and staff knowledge/experience), clinical procedures (use of analgesics and anesthetics, physical restraint, species-specific practices), and social factors (pet owner-veterinarian interactions, fear of the clinic, social stress). The research was conducted through an online survey with the participation of 412 veterinarians from different cities. Survey questions were examined under four thematic groups. The findings demonstrated that the adequacy of the clinical environment, standardized protocols, and effective communication are primary factors that enhance animal welfare. Furthermore, it was determined that pet owners’ attitudes, fear of the clinic, and social stress also have significant effects on welfare. This study emphasizes the need to develop a holistic approach to welfare in veterinary clinics, offering comprehensive improvement strategies at structural, managerial, and behavioral levels.

🔖

Cite This Article

Grecu, T., Açıkgöz, Y. K., Aykut, T., Halil, M., Ünlü, E., Balaban, C., Güneş, H. (2025). A study on clinical factors affecting animal welfare in veterinary clinics. Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 3, 189–195. https://doi.org/10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.1811875

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