Percepção de condutas amigáveis por tutores de felinos atendidos no hospital universitário veterinário da UFPB

Abstract

Domestic cats inherited reactive behavior related to fight and flight from their ancestors, due to their considerably more acute senses. Knowing that these are animals with a delicate temperament and distinctive therapeutic management, the demand for veterinary professionals trained in feline medicine is growing, in order to deeply understand the species and provide calm, cat-friendly care. With this in mind, the “MEDFEL” extension project was founded in 2022, originating from the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), with the purpose of promoting health and well-being to domestic cats cared for in the space. Given this scenario, the work aimed to research the perception of guardians regarding the idealized care for felines, “Cat Friendly” conduct, their level of cognition regarding the specialty in feline medicine, as well as measuring the results of the efficiency of the MEDFEL Extension Project. The research, conducted through online questionnaires, included owners who took their cats to the UFPB Veterinary Hospital between 2022 and 2023, when the project was in force. Of those interviewed, 68% had 1 to 3 cats, 18% had 4 to 6 cats, and 14% had more than 7 cats. Regarding service, 90% of tutors identified improvements, while only 10% denied having noticed differences. Regarding satisfaction, 64% of owners gave a score of 10 for the care provided to their cats and 58% gave the same score for their care. Regarding transportation to get to the hospital, 46% used a car, 31% a motorbike, 12% a bus, and 9% walked. The majority (97%) used transport boxes, and 74% added a blanket for greater comfort for the animal. Only 7% of guardians reported using tranquilizers before consultations. Regarding the frequency of visits to the veterinarian, 44% of owners reported regular visits, 50% took their cats to the hospital only once, and 7% usually requested home care. Regarding the cats' temperament during the consultation, 51% of owners stated that their pets seemed scared, but did not show aggression, 35% seemed calm, receptive to affection and manipulation, while 11% showed a lot of stress, vocalization and aggression. When asked about the term "Cat Friendly," 55% of owners said they knew its meaning, 24% had no knowledge of professionals specializing in feline medical clinics, although 100% of participants indicated that they would take their cats to a specialist. It is concluded that the implementation of friendly care for cats does not require major changes in the veterinary structure. Sensitive care when approaching felines, together with meticulous attention to care processes, promotes peace of mind for both feline patients and their guardians.