[An analysis of informal veterinary consultations during radio programmes]

A sample of informal consultations based on letters which were sent to a radio programme in which the theme was informal veterinary consultations were analysed. The animal-owner profile, the identification of animals involved and the need which motivated owners to seek such consultations were investigated. The results indicated that the most typical animal owner to participate in programmes of this nature was an adult woman living in the country and the most common animal involved was an intact male dog. The most common area of concern was ethological of nature. Behavioural problems were the most common ethological problem, followed by management and care. The significance of this study for the veterinarian is probably that it recognises the role and importance of informal consultations, that deficiencies in formal consultations are indicated and that it emphasises the need of readily available knowledge of ethology, that informal consultations are unsuitable for serious cases, and that informal consultations give further insight into human-animal interaction from a veterinary perspective.