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RVC DIABETES CLINIC

Royal Veterinary College

DIAQoLPet Quality of Life Assessment

Evaluate the impact of diabetes on your pet's quality of life

About the Assessment

The DIAQoLPet (Diabetes Quality of Life for Pets) questionnaire is a validated research tool developed to assess how diabetes and its management affect both you and your pet's quality of life. This 29-question assessment will help you understand the overall impact of diabetes on your pet's wellbeing.

After completing the questionnaire, you will receive an immediate email with your pet's Average Weighted Impact Score (AWIS), along with detailed interpretation and comparison to published research data.

Take the Assessment

The questionnaire takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Please ensure you provide your email address to receive your personalized results.

Start DIAQoLPet Questionnaire →

Understanding Your Score

What is the AWIS (Average Weighted Impact Score)?

The AWIS is calculated from your responses to 29 questions about your pet's diabetes management. Each question asks about:

  • Frequency: How often does this situation occur?
  • Importance: How much does this impact you and your pet?

Your responses are weighted and averaged to produce a score ranging from -15 to +15.

Interpreting Your Score

Negative Scores (below 0)

Indicate that diabetes management is having a negative impact on quality of life

Positive Scores (above 0)

Suggest that positive aspects (such as increased bonding) outweigh the challenges

Scores near 0

Indicate a balanced impact with minimal overall effect on quality of life

Reference Scores from Research

SpeciesAverage AWISStudy Reference
Cats with Diabetes1.88 ± 2.04Niessen et al., 2010
Dogs with Diabetes2.74 ± 1.7Niessen et al., 2012

Note: These reference scores represent the average experience of pet owners managing diabetes in cats and dogs. Your score will be compared to these benchmarks in your personalized results email.

How the Scoring Works

Frequency Scores

All the time-3 or +3*
Often-2 or +2*
Occasionally-1 or +1*
A little0
Don't know0

*Positive scores apply to questions 24, 27, and 29 which assess beneficial aspects

Importance Weights

Very important×5
Important×4
Moderately important×3
Low importance×2
Never×1
Not applicable×0

Calculation Formula

Weighted Score = Base Score × Importance Weight

AWIS = Sum of all 29 weighted scores ÷ 29

Scientific Background

The DIAQoLPet questionnaire is based on peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. This validated assessment tool has been used in clinical studies to understand the real-world impact of diabetes management on both pets and their owners.

For Cats

Niessen SJM, et al. (2010). "Evaluation of a quality-of-life tool for cats with diabetes mellitus"

View Publication →

For Dogs

Niessen SJM, et al. (2012). "Evaluation of a quality-of-life tool for dogs with diabetes mellitus"

View Publication →

What to Expect

1

Complete the Survey

Answer 29 questions about your pet's diabetes and its management (10-15 minutes)

2

Instant Processing

Your responses are automatically scored and analyzed using the validated DIAQoLPet algorithm

3

Receive Results

Get an email with your AWIS score, interpretation, and comparison to research data

Important Information

  • Make sure to provide a valid email address to receive your results
  • Results are typically delivered within 5-10 seconds of submission
  • Check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive results immediately
  • This assessment is for research purposes and does not replace veterinary advice
  • You can retake the assessment at any time to track changes in quality of life

Ready to Assess Your Pet's Quality of Life?

Take the first step in understanding how diabetes affects your pet's wellbeing

Start Assessment Now →