Caregiver burden and psychosocial outcomes in owners of dogs with chronic paresis and paralysis compared with owners of healthy dogs

Pryjmak, Janine; Zablotski, Yury; Lauer, Susanne K. (2026): Caregiver burden and psychosocial outcomes in owners of dogs with chronic paresis and paralysis compared with owners of healthy dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 13: 1837756. ISSN 2297-1769

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess whether owners of dogs with chronic paresis or paralysis experience higher caregiver burden and altered psychosocial functioning compared to owners of healthy dogs.

Methods: Between August 2024 and April 2025, owners of dogs with chronic paresis/paralysis (>6 months) and healthy dogs were recruited via veterinary clinics, physiotherapy centers, university hospitals, and social media to complete an online 122-item questionnaire. The survey included lifestyle questions and validated instruments: Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Perceived Stress Scale, Centre of Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and group comparisons were performed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests in R.

Results: The study included 67 owners of paretic/paralyzed dogs and 90 owners of healthy dogs (88.5% women; 29.3% aged 19–29). Owners of paretic/paralyzed dogs reported significantly higher ZBI scores (p < 0.001) and lower quality of life (p = 0.03). Caregiver burden was higher when the owner had the dog before onset of paresis/paralysis (p < 0.001), experienced physical health complaints (p = 0.002), or reported negative impacts of paralysis on home cleanliness (p < 0.001). Owners who perceived their dog's quality of life as mediocre to poor showed higher ZBI scores (p < 0.001). In contrast, owners who received positive feedback from their social environment had significantly lower caregiver burden (p = 0.005).

Conclusion: Owners of dogs with chronic paresis and paralysis face significantly higher caregiver burden. Factors such as timing of ownership, owner health, domestic hygiene, perceived canine quality of life, and social support influence caregiver stress levels.

• Dokumententyp: Artikel (LMU)
• Organisationseinheit (Fakultäten): 08 Tiermedizin > Zentrum für Klinische Tiermedizin > Medizinische Kleintierklinik
• DFG-Fachsystematik der Wissenschaftsbereiche: Lebenswissenschaften
• DFG: Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - 491502892