Dog Owners’ Perspectives on Canine Heart Disease in Klang Valley, Malaysia

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Heart disease is a common chronic illness among dogs that often requires long-term treatment. This study investigated owners’ awareness and knowledge about canine heart disease, followed by their intention to treat with respect to the Theory of Planned Behavior. The attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) in predicting dog owners’ intention to treat canine heart disease, with empathy as moderator, was analyzed. The majority of dog owners have a high awareness of the disease denoted by their ability to identify 5 to 8 out of 12 common clinical signs. Although seeking treatment is a common effort by dog owners, the cost was the barrier that curtailed their intention. If dog owners improve their attitudes, receive support from spouses and other family members, and increase their confidence in managing their pets, this can increase the pursuance of heart disease treatment. Owners with low empathic concern can be motivated to treat by cultivating perceived behavioral control. Therefore, continuous education may improve owners’ preconceived ability to provide care, and veterinarians may play an essential role in encouraging treatment in dogs diagnosed with heart disease. ABSTRACT: Canine heart disease often requires long-term treatment, which involves a continuous commitment from the dog owners. In addition to investigating their awareness and knowledge, the Theory of Planned Behavior was applied to also analyze attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) of the dog owners, with empathic concern as a moderator in predicting intention to treat canine heart disease. Through a convenience sampling approach, 261 respondents, who were clients of University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UVH-UPM), with experience in owning or caring for dogs, were recruited. While the majority of the respondents (83.5%) claimed that they were aware of canine heart disease, most respondents (45.6%) could only identify 5 to 8 (Fair) out of 12 of the salient clinical signs. Most dog owners (92.3%) were willing to seek treatment if the pet dogs were affected, although the intent is deterred by cost (39.5%). In this study, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors for the intention to treat. Dog owners with low empathic concern can be motivated to treat affected dogs by cultivating perceived behavioral control. Therefore, continual education may improve dog owners’ preconceived ability to provide care, and veterinarians may play an important role to encourage treatment in dogs diagnosed with heart disease.