M Diez1, P Picavet2, R Ricci3, M Dequenne1, M Renard4, A Bongartz5, F Farnir6. 1. Companion Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Production (DPA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium. 2. Hill's Pet Nutrition Belgium, B-1160, Brussels, Belgium. 3. Department of Animal Science, University of Padova, 35020, Legnaro, Padova, Italy. 4. Union Professionnelle Vétérinaire, B-1400, Nivelles, Belgium. 5. Small Animal Veterinary Association Belgium, B-1400, Nivelles, Belgium. 6. Biomathematics and Statistics, DPA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the results of a prevention campaign in terms of participation and pet health status and to identify opportunities to improve preventive medicine in cats and dogs. METHODS: An awareness campaign was designed to highlight the role of veterinarians and emphasise the benefits of a veterinary visit. Owners were invited to make an appointment for a free pet health check in a voluntarily participating veterinary clinic. Observations recorded by the veterinarians were entered in a database and subsequently analysed using simple descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 5305 completed health check forms were analysed. The percentages of overweight and obese dogs and cats were 34 and 36%, respectively; this was the most common finding, followed by dental calculus (31% in dogs, 21% in cats). In total 67% of cats did not undergo flea control and 59% were not vaccinated. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Opportunities for increased quality of care are numerous given the high percentage of intact, unvaccinated or non-permanently identified pets and the low level of worm and flea control. Animal health should benefit from preventive measures, and improved management can be undertaken after early detection of diseases.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the results of a prevention campaign in terms of participation and pet health status and to identify opportunities to improve preventive medicine in cats and dogs. METHODS: An awareness campaign was designed to highlight the role of veterinarians and emphasise the benefits of a veterinary visit. Owners were invited to make an appointment for a free pet health check in a voluntarily participating veterinary clinic. Observations recorded by the veterinarians were entered in a database and subsequently analysed using simple descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 5305 completed health check forms were analysed. The percentages of overweight and obesedogs and cats were 34 and 36%, respectively; this was the most common finding, followed by dental calculus (31% in dogs, 21% in cats). In total 67% of cats did not undergo flea control and 59% were not vaccinated. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Opportunities for increased quality of care are numerous given the high percentage of intact, unvaccinated or non-permanently identified pets and the low level of worm and flea control. Animal health should benefit from preventive measures, and improved management can be undertaken after early detection of diseases.
Authors: A Willems; D Paepe; S Marynissen; P Smets; I Van de Maele; P Picavet; L Duchateau; S Daminet Journal: J Vet Intern Med Date: 2016-10-17 Impact factor: 3.333
Authors: S J J Marynissen; A L Willems; D Paepe; P M Y Smets; P Picavet; L Duchateau; S Daminet Journal: J Vet Intern Med Date: 2016-12-25 Impact factor: 3.333
Authors: Jia Xu; Adronie Verbrugghe; Marta Lourenço; An Cools; Daisy J X Liu; Tom Van de Wiele; Massimo Marzorati; Venessa Eeckhaut; Filip Van Immerseel; Lynn Vanhaecke; Miguel Campos; Myriam Hesta Journal: BMC Vet Res Date: 2017-12-04 Impact factor: 2.741