TY - JOUR
T1 - Empathic veterinarians score cattle pain higher
AU - Norring, Marianna
AU - Wikman, Ingela
AU - Hokkanen, Ann Helena
AU - Kujala, Miiamaaria V.
AU - Hänninen, Laura
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - The treatment of cattle pain often relies upon veterinarians. The aim of this study was to qualify the influence of veterinarians skills, attitudes, and empathy on cattle pain assesment and consequently disbudding pain management. A web-based questionnaire was sent to Finnish veterinary students in either the preclinical or clinical stage, and also to production-animal practice oriented veterinarians. The questionnaire recorded demographics, statements of opinions, pain scoring of cattle conditions and procedures. Empathy towards humans (Interpersonal Reactivity Index, IRI) and reworded IRI to measure empathy towards animals were also covered.The overall response rate was approximately 40%. The association between pain and empathy scores were analyzed by Pearsońs correlation, and the factors affecting pain scores and empathy towards animals analyzed using linear models. The need for pain medication of calves during disbudding was well recognized and the intention to treat such pain was very common. Higher mean scores for cattle pain were associated with greater empathy towards humans. On average, respondents' empathy towards animals was greater than towards humans, and was associated with respondents' empathy towards humans, family size and attachment to family pet.
AB - The treatment of cattle pain often relies upon veterinarians. The aim of this study was to qualify the influence of veterinarians skills, attitudes, and empathy on cattle pain assesment and consequently disbudding pain management. A web-based questionnaire was sent to Finnish veterinary students in either the preclinical or clinical stage, and also to production-animal practice oriented veterinarians. The questionnaire recorded demographics, statements of opinions, pain scoring of cattle conditions and procedures. Empathy towards humans (Interpersonal Reactivity Index, IRI) and reworded IRI to measure empathy towards animals were also covered.The overall response rate was approximately 40%. The association between pain and empathy scores were analyzed by Pearsońs correlation, and the factors affecting pain scores and empathy towards animals analyzed using linear models. The need for pain medication of calves during disbudding was well recognized and the intention to treat such pain was very common. Higher mean scores for cattle pain were associated with greater empathy towards humans. On average, respondents' empathy towards animals was greater than towards humans, and was associated with respondents' empathy towards humans, family size and attachment to family pet.
KW - Animal
KW - Cattle
KW - Disbudding
KW - Empathy
KW - Pain score
KW - Welfare
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84898782954&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.02.005
DO - 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.02.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 24685101
AN - SCOPUS:84898782954
SN - 1090-0233
VL - 200
SP - 186
EP - 190
JO - Veterinary Journal
JF - Veterinary Journal
IS - 1
ER -