The onset of COVID has impacted the field of veterinary medicine and the lives of cat guardians in numerous ways, yet the subject remains largely unexplored. The purpose of this study was to better understand cat guardians’ fears and concerns pertaining to veterinary care and obtainment of pet care products and food during the initial lock down phase of the COVID pandemic to better address these concerns now and in the future. To this end, an anonymous online survey was distributed to cat guardians during the first two months of the pandemic. The survey included questions pertaining to guardians’ relationship with their cat and their veterinary related concerns and experiences as a result of the pandemic. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 956 participants. The results revealed that the increased amount of time guardians spent with their cat had a positive impact on their bond. Participants’ veterinary related concerns, particularly for participants between 18-29 years of age, centered around availability of their veterinarian for both emergency and non-emergency care. Other concerns included fears about the ability to afford emergency veterinary care and obtain cat food and supplies. Awareness of these concerns can help veterinarians better support cat guardians by directly communicating their continued availability and presence in the face of a pandemic as well as other challenging times.

中文翻译：

---

COVID对猫监护人的影响：兽医问题

COVID的发作以多种方式影响了兽药领域和猫守护者的生活，但这一问题在很大程度上尚待探索。这项研究的目的是更好地了解猫监护人在COVID大流行的最初锁定阶段期间对兽医护理以及获得宠物护理产品和食物的担忧和担忧，以便更好地解决现在和将来的这些担忧。为此，在大流行的前两个月中，向猫监护人分发了一个匿名的在线调查。该调查包括与监护人与猫的关系以及与大流行有关的兽医相关问题和经历有关的问题。从956名参与者中收集了定量和定性数据。结果表明，监护人陪伴猫的时间增加对他们的联系产生了积极的影响。参与者对兽医的关注，特别是对于18-29岁之间的参与者，关注的是他们的兽医可用于紧急护理和非紧急护理。其他担忧包括对提供紧急兽医护理以及获得猫食和补给品的能力的担忧。意识到这些问题，可以通过直接交流他们在大流行以及其他挑战时期的持续可用性和存在状态，来帮助兽医更好地支持猫守护者。重点在于他们的兽医可用于紧急护理和非紧急护理。其他担忧包括对提供紧急兽医护理以及获得猫食和补给品的能力的担忧。意识到这些问题，可以通过直接交流他们在大流行以及其他挑战时期的持续可用性和存在状态，来帮助兽医更好地支持猫守护者。重点在于他们的兽医可用于紧急护理和非紧急护理。其他担忧包括对提供紧急兽医护理以及获得猫食和补给品的能力的担忧。意识到这些问题，可以通过直接交流他们在大流行以及其他挑战时期的持续可用性和存在状态，来帮助兽医更好地支持猫守护者。