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- Assessment of Dog Owners’ Perceptions of Chemotherapy TreatmentsPublication . Botelho, Sara da Silva; Vilhena, Hugo Corte-Realancer is one of the leading causes of death in dogs. Among the available therapeutic options, chemotherapy has become a cornerstone of treatment in veterinary oncology. However, little is known about owners’ perceptions of this treatment modality, despite their importance in directly influencing decision-making. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the expectations, experiences, and perceived challenges of dog owners from Portugal whose pets underwent chemotherapy treatments. For the purpose of this study, an anonymous questionnaire-based survey was completed by 79 dog owners whose pets underwent at least four chemotherapy sessions or a minimum of one month of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy within the past three years. Eligible cases included dogs diagnosed with lymphoma, malignant mammary gland tumors, urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder, mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, or any malignant tumor treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to owners of dogs treated in several veterinary medical care centers in Portugal. Among respondents, 82,3% reported being familiar with chemotherapy treatments in veterinary medicine, with the veterinarian’s recommendation identified as the primary factor influencing treatment choice (36,1%). Chemotherapy adverse effects during treatment were reported in most dogs, however, 9% of the owners did not report any chemotherapy-related toxicity throughout the entire treatment. Mild to moderate toxicities (grades 1–2) were the most frequent (54,4%), while severe (grade 3) and very severe (grade 4) reactions were reported by 22,8% and 13,9% of owners, respectively. Even so, most respondents (83,5%) evaluated chemotherapy positively, and 72,2% reported no regret regarding their decision, with many describing it as indispensable in oncology. QoL emerged as a central determinant factor, with 53,2% of owners expecting treatment to prolong life while maintaining acceptable QoL, and 22,8% prioritizing it as the main criterion. Moreover, 43% of owners considered the cost justified by the survival time and well-being achieved, reinforcing its importance in therapeutic decisions. Obstacles most often reported included financial burden (25,9%) and emotional strain (19,5%). Overall satisfaction with the support provided by veterinary professionals was high, with 70,9% of owners reporting being very satisfied and 24,1% satisfied. Nonetheless, 5,1% expressed some degree of dissatisfaction (3,8% dissatisfied and 1,3% very dissatisfied), emphasizing the need for clearer information and more empathetic communication from these professionals. These findings suggest that, despite challenges, owners generally value chemotherapy treatments when it maintains their pets QoL. Continuous assessment of QoL alongside open, transparent and empathetic communication is essential to ensure that clinical decision remains aligned with owners’ expectations.