anthrozoology.org

  Pfukenyi, Davies Mubika.  Chipunga, S L.  Dinginya, L.  Matenga, E.Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science,  University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 167, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe,  dmpfukenyi@vet.uz.ac.zw.  Tropical Animal Health & Production.  42(2):247-52, 2010 Feb.

Abstract

  A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out in Harare to  assess pet ownership and public awareness with regard to pet zoonoses. The  questionnaire was designed to obtain information on pet ownership, health  and welfare of pets, pet owners' knowledge and awareness of pet zoonoses  with particular emphasis on hookworms and roundworms. The results  demonstrated that the proportion of pet owners who knew helminths as  zoonoses in dogs (21.3%) and cats (1.1%) was low compared to rabies  (95.7%) with ancylostomosis (4.3%) and toxocariosis (2.1%) being the  specific parasitic zoonoses known to occur in dogs and toxoplasmosis  (2.1%) in cats. More than 50% of the pet owners indicated that  veterinarians never discussed the potential hazards of zoonoses or  discussed it only when asked and 33% indicated that veterinarians  initiated discussion of the subject whenever zoonoses were diagnosed in  pets. Over 90% of the pet owners indicated that veterinarians should  discuss zoonoses with them. Further investigations are necessary to  determine the current prevalence of intestinal nematode infections in dogs  and cats in the various regions of the country.