Abstract

ALFARO-MORA, Ramsés et al. College Student Perception on the Companion Animal Responsible Care in Costa Rica. Rev. Med. Vet. [online]. 2021, n.42, pp.59-66.  Epub Mar 16, 2022. ISSN 0122-9354.  https://doi.org/10.19052/mv.vol1.iss42.7.

This study aims to analyze the knowledge by college students on the responsible management of pets at home. A cross-sectional study was conducted on the college population with an estimated sample of 369 persons, even though 393 were surveyed. Out of them, 99% reported to have a pet and the dog was the most common in their homes. The home de-worming was the most commonly used method (59.6%) to that end. Pets are de-wormed quarterly in most cases. It was found that men are more likely to bring the pet to the doctor as compared to women and 65.3% of the surveyed sample states that their pets sleep inside the house. This is the first studied conducted in Costa Rica showing how pet owners live with and care them. Most of the subjects do not know the de-worming drug being administered to their pets. There is a need to strengthen the education among pet owners so that they got to know more about the products being used in their pets, who recommends the product, and the implications of the correct hygiene.

Keywords : parasites; zoonosis; veterinary medicine; anthelmintics.

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