Table 1

a Responses to the owner questionnaire, categorical answers.

Question
Category
Number
%

1) Opinions on the dog and family members related to radiation treatment (RT).
How did I learn about RT as an available treatment option for my dog
Advice of my primary vet
20
87

Second opinion of another veterinarian
2
9

Trough media/internet
1
4
I had previous knowledge about RT in humans
Yes
9
39

No
14
61
How did I decide to use RT for my dog?
My own decision
6
26

Consensus of family members in favor
17
74

Family disagreed
0
0
My dog had veterinary care insurance that covered most of the cost for RT
Yes
9
39

No
14
61
2a) Describe your impression of the well-being of your dog during the weeks while RT was performed
My dog appeared well during the time of treatment
Yes, very well
15
65

Yes, fairly well
8
35

Did not appear well
0
0
My dog found it unpleasant to visit the hospital
Yes
3
13

Yes a little
11
48

No
9
39
My dog appeared tired during the treatment
Yes
5
22

Yes a little
6
26

Not tired
12
52
Did I notice a change in the dog's quality of life?
No Impact
19
83

Positive impact
3
13

Negative impact
1
4
2b) Describe what happened during the 4 weeks following completion of RT. (This is when acute skin and/or mucosal effects occur and heal).
My dog appeared well during these weeks
Yes, very well
14
61

Yes, well
6
26

No, not well
3
13
My dog experienced discomfort in the radiation field
Yes severe
5
22

Yes, minor
10
44

No discomfort seen
8
35
My dog was in pain during these Weeks
Yes, severe
3
13

Yes, modest
6
26

No
14
61
My dog experienced side effects
Yes, severe
5
22

Yes, minor
10
44

No
8
35
During post treatment, did the quality of life of the dog seem different?
No impact
15
65

Positive impact
5
22

Negative impact
3
13

b Responses to owner questionnaire, categorical answers.

Question
Category
Number
%

3) Describe your own perception or personal experience from when your dog had RT:
I believe that RT cured my dog's cancer
Yes
9
39

No
11
48

Can't decide
2
9
I believe that RT does prolong life until tumour related discomfort occur
Yes
21
91

No
2
9
My dog's clinical signs disappeared because of RT: (limited to 14 dogs with gross disease)
Yes, completely (n = 14)
5
36

Yes, in part (n = 14)
4
29

No (n = 14)
5
36

NAa (subclinical disease) (n = 23)
9
39
I believe I was adequately informed about the RT before starting RT
Yes
22
96

No
1
4
The information was consistent with the outcome for the dog
Yes
21
91

No
2
9
The information agreed with what I experienced
Yes
22
96

No
1
4
My dog experienced more severe side effects than I expected
Yes
5
22

No
18
78
My dog experienced fewer side effects than I expected
Yes
14
61

No
9
39
I was well informed how to care for side effects
Yes
19
83

No
0
0

NA
4
17
Management of side effects was effective
Yes
10
43

Yes in part
5
22

No
0
0

NA
8
35
4) Describe the level of satisfaction with RT in your dog.
RT was worth my commitment in time, travel, caring for the dog at home etc.
Yes
23
100

No
0
0
Subjecting my dog to RT was worth my financial cost
Yes
22
96

No
1
4
I consider that the discomfort to my dog due to RT was worth the gain
Yes
23
100

No
0
0
I would use RT again in a similar situation with another dog.
Yes
22
96

No
0
0

Missing
1
4

a NA- not applicable

Denneberg and Egenvall Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2009 51:19   doi:10.1186/1751-0147-51-19