Perception of UK companion animal veterinarians on risk assessment based parasite control

Bagster, Amy; Elsheikha, Hany

Abstract

Parasites can pose a risk to companion animals and potentially their owners. Current parasiticide use is possibly impacting the environment, increasing adverse reaction and resistance risk. As such parasiticides should be dispensed by the veterinary team proportional to individual risk, including owners in their approach. A mixed-methods questionnaire was designed and distributed using snowball sampling to ascertain overall awareness, observance, and attitude towards utilising a risk assessment based approach to parasite prophylaxis by UK companion animal veterinarians. 85.7% of veterinarians surveyed reported that they were aware of risk assessment based parasite control whereas only 53.9% said they utilise it always or often. Significant correlations were found between more frequent risk assessment based parasite control utilisation and increased owner involvement (P = 0.0007) and prescription confidence (P = 0.0001). Most attitudes towards adopting risk assessment based parasite control were positive. There was significant association with positive attitude and greater utilisation frequency (P = 0.0010), as well as working in corporate practice (P = 0.0126). Awareness of risk assessment based parasite control has potential to increase responsible utilisation of parasiticides by veterinarians, and therefore mitigate risks associated. Most veterinarians would like to see the profession move towards risk assessment based control use, but institutional changes are required. Further research, and education is also needed.

Citation

Bagster, A., & Elsheikha, H. (2022). Perception of UK companion animal veterinarians on risk assessment based parasite control. Veterinary parasitology (Amsterdam), 34, Article 100774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100774

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 4, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Aug 8, 2022
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Aug 11, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 12, 2022
• Journal: Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports
• Print ISSN: 2405-9390
• Electronic ISSN: 2405-9390
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Article Number: 100774
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100774
• Keywords: General Veterinary; Parasitology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/9904602
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405939022000909?via%3Dihub