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Royal Veterinary College
Hawkshead Lane
North Mymms
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL9 7TA
To Whom It May Concern:
T +44 (0)1707 666333
F +44 (0)1707 652090
E [email protected]
www.rvc.ac.uk
I am a final year veterinary student conducting a research project as part of my
veterinary degree at the Royal Veterinary College. My project centres on the problem
of canine obesity and I have chosen to focus on assessing the utility of weight
management clinics available in practice. If your practice offers a weight management
clinic, I have designed a survey which I would very much appreciate if you could
complete and return to me. Your help in this project is very much appreciated. Please
submit only 1 survey per practice. If you could forward a copy of this survey to other
colleagues that are involved in Weight Clinics that would also be appreciated. All
those who participate will be entered into a draw to win a digital camera. Please email
completed forms to [email protected], or alternatively post them to Simone Machen
at the above address.
Kind Regards,
Simone Machen BVetMed Final Year Student
Cont.,
Assessment of Weight Loss Clinics for Dogs
1) In regards to all the dogs seen in your practice, what is your sense of the
prevalence of obesity? (%)
2) Of these clients, what percentage attend the weight loss clinic offered by your
practice? (%)
3) Do you enjoy being involved in the running these clinics? Please provide
some comments of your general experience.
4) At your practice, is there a charge for use of the Weight Clinic? If so, is this
price discounted in any way?
5) Do you feel this type of clinic has improved your relationships with clients
and how so?
6) Do your think clients attend the clinic because
a) advised to by the vet
b) advertising in the practice
c) recommended by other clients
d) other: (__________________________)
7) What is the typical recommended treatment for weight loss? (Check all that
apply)
a) diet change alone
b) exercise programme only
c) diet change and exercise programme
d) include use of dietary supplements
e) other: (Please specify:_________________________)
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Cont.,
8) How is progress assessed at Weight Clinic?
a) Reaching target weight
b) Target Body Condition Score (Please specify which system: 5 point scale, 9
point scale, other)
c) Improvement in clinical signs (e.g, more energy, decreased lameness, etc)
d) Other form of assessment (please specify: ________________________)
9) How often does the clinic meet?
a) once a week
b) twice a week
c) once a month
d) other (please specify:______________________)
10) How good is client compliance? What % attend every scheduled session?
11) Is there monitoring of the dog’s progress after the target has been reached?
12) What is your sense about the effectiveness of the Weight Clinic? Do clients
who opt to attend Weight Clinic more successful in achieving weight control in
their dogs compared to clients who do not use the Weight Clinic?
13) Do you think that clients generally are willing to comply with advice given?
14) Do you feel that clients with more obese pets (i.e, higher Body Condition
Scores) are more willing to comply with advice given?
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Cont.,
15) What % of clients “stick with” the clinic and programme until they have
reached their target goal?
16) What do you think are the top reasons for non-compliance (“not sticking”)
with the programme?
a) not deemed helpful
b) not able to attend clinics frequently enough
c) not able to use/follow prescribed diet programme
d) not able to comply with exercise programme
e) not believe their dog is overweight
f) other: (Please specify:_______________)
17) Do you think Weight Loss Clinics have increased client awareness of pet
obesity?
18) Do you think the incidence of obesity has decreased since the introduction of
weight loss clinics?
19) Overall, do you think that weight loss clinics are a success?
20) How do you think they could be improved?
a) increase advertising/promotion
b) better client education
c) more proactive role by vets
d) improving monitoring after weight target reached
e) other (Please specify:___________________________)
21) Are weight loss clinics available for obese cats?
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Cont.,
Additional Comments:
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