Evaluating shared decision-making between companion animal veterinarians and their clients using the Observer OPTION5 instrument.

BACKGROUND: Communication practices used by veterinarians can impact client's involvement in decision-making. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of client involvement in veterinary care decisions and factors impacting client involvement. METHODS: A random sample of practising companion animal veterinarians and a convenience sample of pet owners were recruited. Each consultation was audio-video recorded and analyzed using the Observer OPTION5 instrument, adapted from human medicine, to assess veterinarians' level of shared decision-making. A mixed linear model was used to assess statistical associations between veterinarian, client and appointment-level factors and OPTION5 scores. RESULTS: Sixty veterinarians and 909 of their clients were audio-video recorded during a consultation, of which 717 interactions included a decision identified for analysis using the OPTION5 instrument. Elements consistent with shared decision-making were uncommon, with a mean OPTION5 score of 22.6 (median = 20.0; sd = 13.05; range = 0-75) out of 100. OPTION5 scores were positively associated with the length of the appointment and negatively associated with the veterinarian's years in practice when controlling for statistical interaction between client income and appointment type. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest an opportunity exists for veterinarians to incorporate more client involvement through increased use of shared decisionmaking behaviours during veterinary consultations.

Lysine requirements in small, medium, and large breed adult dogs using the indicator amino acid oxidation technique.

There is a lack of knowledge regarding the lysine (Lys) requirements of mature dogs and whether there are breed differences. The present study aimed to determine the Lys requirement in three breeds of mature dogs using the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique. Thirteen adult dogs were used, four Miniature Dachshunds (5.39 ± 0.71 kg; 1.05 ± 0.02 yr old, mean ± SD), four Beagles (8.09 ± 0.40 kg; 5.03 ± 0.09 yr old, mean ± SD), and five Labrador Retrievers (29.42 ± 2.04 kg; 3.30 ± 0.69 yr old, mean ± SD). After 14 d of adaptation to a basal extruded kibble diet, dogs were fed a test diet mildly deficient in Lys (Lys concentration = 0.36%) at 17 (Miniature Dachshunds) or 13 g/kg body weight (BW; Beagles and Labradors) for 2 d. The test diet was supplemented with one of seven isonitrogenous Lys-Ala solutions, resulting in a final dietary Lys concentration of 0.36%, 0.40%, 0.44%, 0.50%, 0.54%, 0.58%, and 0.62% (as-fed basis). Dogs received dietary concentrations of Lys in random order and no dog received the same order. Following 2 d of adaptation to the experimental diets, the dogs underwent IAAO studies. During the IAAO studies, total daily feed was divided in 13 equal meals. At the sixth meal, dogs were fed a bolus of L-[1-13C]-Phe (9.40 mg/kg BW); thereafter, L-[1-13C]-Phe was supplied with every meal (2.4 mg/kg BW). Total production of 13CO2 (F13CO2) during isotopic steady state was determined by enrichment of 13CO2 of breath samples and total production of CO2, measured using indirect calorimetry. A two-phase linear regression model was used to derive the mean Lys requirement, defined as the breakpoint, and the upper 95% confidence limit was calculated as the recommended allowance (RA) for Lys intake. For Miniature Dachshunds, the study was repeated with a feed intake of 14 g/kg BW, but Lys requirements could not be determined at either feed intake, suggesting a requirement below the lowest concentration and intake. Mean Lys requirements for Beagles and Labradors were 0.455% (59.16 mg/kg BW) and 0.440% (57.19 mg/kg BW), respectively, on a dry matter basis. Pooling the data for these breeds provides a mean estimate of the Lys requirement at 0.448% (58.21 mg/kg BW) with an upper 95% CL of 0.526% (68.41 mg/kg BW) on a dry matter basis. In conclusion, the Lys requirements of Beagles and Labradors are similar, while the requirement for Miniature Dachshunds is undetermined and likely lower. The estimated Lys requirement for Beagles and Labradors is higher than the National Research Council recommendation.