Medication compliance by cat owners prescribed treatment for home administration.
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Date
2025-01-11
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Rights
(c) 2025 The Author/s
CC BY 4.0
CC BY 4.0
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most veterinary literature examining medication compliance has described the phenomenon in dogs. The evidence available regarding factors affecting cat owner medication compliance is limited. OBJECTIVES: Identify and describe factors associated with cat owners' noncompliance with veterinary recommendations for pet medications, as well as client-reported barriers and aids to administering medications prescribed by primary care veterinarians.
SUBJECTS: Cat owners presenting their animals for veterinary examination and treatment.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of cat owners' compliance with veterinary medication recommendations was performed from January 9, 2019, to July 18, 2020. A convenience sample of owners prescribed medication for their pets by veterinarians during or after elective veterinary examination was recruited to respond to questions regarding medication administration experience and compliance. Follow-up was obtained from owners to determine if the course of medication had been completed. Compliance data were analyzed descriptively, and logistic regression was performed.
RESULTS: Medication noncompliance was recorded for 39% (26/66) of cat owners. A quarter (16/66) reported challenges in administering medication to their pets; the most commonly cited reason was a resistant pet. Oral administration of antibiotics was significantly associated with noncompliance (Pā=ā.01). Clients with limited pet ownership experience were less likely to be noncompliant (Pā=ā.04).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Clients' inability to medicate their cats PO may have implications for clinical outcomes and antimicrobial stewardship. Alternatives to direct PO administration of solid-form medications in cats should be considered. Demonstrating administration techniques to all clients may improve compliance and influence clinical outcome.
Description
Keywords
antibiotics, antimicrobials, oral, palatability, Cats, Animals, Cross-Sectional Studies, Medication Adherence, Cat Diseases, Humans, Female, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Ownership, Veterinary Drugs, Anti-Bacterial Agents
Citation
Odom TF, Riley CB, Benschop J, Hill KE. (2025). Medication compliance by cat owners prescribed treatment for home administration.. J Vet Intern Med. 39. 1. (pp. e17298-).